I mean...Idk though--Kayla Gill
Oh, John Calvin, how you confuse my brain. The fact that I can not seem to decide where you stand on a lot of your topics simply makes me want to scream. While I am sure the topic of predestination will be discussed a lot for this weeks post, I am going to discuss it anyway because I actually did not wait until Monday night to write this.
So, my belief in the "predestination to free will debate" is different from many others. A lot of people I know always fully chose one side or the other. However, I chose both. This was always a hard topic for me to understand because the Bible does refer to both.
"Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will," Ephesians 1:4-5
I was interested in his example of the Jewish people in his argument of predestination. We are aware that the Jews are God's "chosen people" despite the fact that they literally DON'T BELIEVE IN JESUS AS THE SAVIOR! It's fine...I am not bitter. But they seriously have decided amongst their people that Jesus was not the son of God but just a prophet. However, they are still the chosen people. Does this propose the idea that they will go to heaven regardless of their salvation? Or are they just special in the eyes of God? It does make me slightly lean toward the more "predestination" side of the argument if salvation is not a necessary factor in the hearts of the Jews. Thoughts?
I commented on Will and Moriah's posts
So, my belief in the "predestination to free will debate" is different from many others. A lot of people I know always fully chose one side or the other. However, I chose both. This was always a hard topic for me to understand because the Bible does refer to both.
"Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love, he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will," Ephesians 1:4-5
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and eat with him, and he with me." Rev 3:20
I could never really pick a full side of where I wanted to stand. So fro my own beliefs, I chose both. I truly believe that God gives us the option to come to him. He does give us that chose to choose heaven or hell. It is not forced on us. Although, I believe that God already knows what we will choose. He never wonders if we will come to him or not because he knew all along. Do you see where this can be conflicting on where he stands?
In the pamphlet given this week, Calvin discusses his views on predestination. From what I can conclude, it seems as if he believes in predestination. He already has assigned a certain amount of people to go to heaven and who it will be. However, he seems to have the idea of free will confused. It almost seems as if he sees free will like the same thing as good works rather than a choice of salvation.
I was interested in his example of the Jewish people in his argument of predestination. We are aware that the Jews are God's "chosen people" despite the fact that they literally DON'T BELIEVE IN JESUS AS THE SAVIOR! It's fine...I am not bitter. But they seriously have decided amongst their people that Jesus was not the son of God but just a prophet. However, they are still the chosen people. Does this propose the idea that they will go to heaven regardless of their salvation? Or are they just special in the eyes of God? It does make me slightly lean toward the more "predestination" side of the argument if salvation is not a necessary factor in the hearts of the Jews. Thoughts?
I commented on Will and Moriah's posts
I have a thought. I believe that the idea of predestination all boils down to a misinterpretation of scripture. I believe that any verse dealing in predestination is referring to all of humanity instead of those who will eventually choose their side. As for the the Israelites, God calls them his chosen people because His promise to their forefather (Adam, and later) Abraham who birthed their nation. God loves all people regardless of their decision sand wishes all of them would chose Him. It was the trust and love Moses gave to God that He then gave back to his decedents. This shows just how much God loved Abraham that he would babysit all of his children. Not to forget that Abraham was still just a man. So if he can do it so can anyone else.
ReplyDeleteBabe, you are a total package. On the topic of the matter, I would like to further your acceptance of both by saying that Christ knit us together in our mother's womb (Psalms 139) and he knows every decision we will ever make, every thought we will have before we even do it, and that to me is a really scary aspect of life. I think that therefore both are correct. God wants to use us who choose to believe in Him as His vessels, spreading His message across the Earth, and He chooses those who don't accept Christ to affirm His truth.
ReplyDeleteZane Duke