Christian Living
Does God cause some to go to heaven and others to go to hell?
Does our free will come into play in regard to our eternal destiny?
●What Is Your Perception of God: as Being Autocratic Or Persuasive?
CHAPTER 4
What Is Your Perception of God: as Being Autocratic or Persuasive?
As you read the scriptures, you will become aware over and over again as to the God of the universe interacting at different times and different ways with mankind. Will it appear to you that everything which happens follows his script? When you look at the lost will you have the mindset toward them that some will go to heaven or hell upon God’s choosing? Will you look at the various events that have been recorded in the scriptures as being implemented to cause unbelievers to respond in a certain way in respect to salvation? Or when you look at everything that happens will you conclude that it is a combination of God and mankind responding at certain times and in certain ways according to their free will, and determine as such that God is righteous in all his ways and holy in all his works. This, however, cannot be said of humanity.
Please read the content of the scripture sections which follow. Then take a look at how the Calvinist or Arminian would interpret what was said whether it pertained to salvation or something else.
We will begin by looking at a verse that is displayed at various venues at different times across the nation.
For God So Loved The World “that whosever believes in him” Suggested Reading: John 3:1-16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus, a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews, who came to see him at night. In this dissertation, Jesus was talking to him about salvation. Jesus said that his Father was so desirous of the world’s happiness that he willingly gave freely and without merit his Son so that whosoever believes in Him (in who he is and what he has done) should not perish (final destiny in hell apart from God), but have everlasting (a new quality) of life. The question that I would like you to consider is, who do the words “world” and “whosoever” refer to? Depending on whether you are a Calvinist or Arminian will determine how you would answer this question. | |
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The verses we will look at next have to do with a process called sanctification, the need for us in our experience to be set apart to God as holy. How is this process looked upon by the Calvinist or Arminian? We could restate this in the form of the following question.
Does God cause us to be conformed to the image of his Son or is it God’s desire for us to be conformed to the image of his Son?
For Whom He Did Foreknow “to be conformed to the image of his Son” Romans Chapter 7 & 8 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:2, 4) At this time in his life, the Apostle Paul was having personal struggles with his spiritual walk. He realized that in his attempt to obey the Ten Commandments, which revealed what sin was, he was unable to do so while operating in his sin nature. Then, he received a revelation. The righteousness of the Law could only be fulfilled when a Christian was filled with (controlled by) the Holy Spirit, which relates to being spiritually minded or mindful of the word of God. The Spirit helps us by praying to God the Father for us when we are immersed in our infirmities (trials and troubles; physical, emotional, and spiritual disabilities; the general weaknesses of the spiritual life) and are unable to ask for the right things in prayer in connection to any of these circumstances. If we continue to keep on loving God in spite of all these hindrances, then all things will work together for our good (welfare) for those whom God had called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29) For whom he foreknew (knew beforehand in his omniscience) he did predestinate (implemented a plan) so that they would be conformed (transformed in the heart) to the image (likeness) of his Son. The question is, how does this conformity take place? The answer will be different depending whether you are being taught by a Calvinist or Arminian. Let’s see how they would answer this question. | |
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What does it mean when the scriptures state that Jesus is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for the sins of the whole world?
We Have an Advocate “the propitiation … for the sins of the whole world” 1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. If any of us sin, we have an advocate, Jesus Christ, who pleads our case to the Father by speaking on our behalf as to our character. He goes between us and God the Father in order to restore friendly relations. He is also the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins having paid the penalty not only for them, but for the sins of the whole world, thus appeasing or satisfying the wrath of God whose standard had been violated. How would the different theologies interpret the words “the whole world”? | |
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Most of us would agree that it is God’s will for every person to be saved. However, the Calvinist and Arminian would express clear differences as to what this really means.
Intercessions “Who will have all men to be saved” Suggested Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4) Paul is giving instruction to Timothy strongly recommending that supplications (something definite is asked; petitions having to do with one's personal needs as they are related to the government under which he lives), prayers (the general word for prayer), intercessions (for conversions; prayers offered for another), and expressing gratitude for blessings or benefits be made for all men, for kings, and all that are in authority, so that we may lead a life which is quiet (freedom from outward disturbance or persecutions) and peaceable (freedom within; calmness) showing great devotion and reverence (respect) for God, and behaving in a right and proper way before other people. For God will have all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Who do the words “all men” refer to? | |
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This very interesting question will be asked in the following section. Will unbelievers be held accountable (at fault) for not responding to God’s initiation for salvation?
Called unto Him His Twelve Disciples: “more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment” Suggested Reading: Matthew 10:1-15 Jesus called his twelve disciples (learners; one who follows a teacher and learns his wisdom5) together and told them to go and proclaim in every city or town to the Jews that the kingdom (reign) of God (the king), an approaching redemption, was at hand (had come). This message would be authenticated through the diverse miracles of healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, raising the dead, and casting out (authority to command them to depart) devils (unclean spirits). Some will hear the message, accept it, and provide you with the hospitality of food and lodging. Others will reject what you have to say whether it be an entire city or an individual household. If you are rejected, then as you leave shake the dust off your feet. This would reveal to them judgment or rejection just like when the Jews would shake off the dust of a pagan land from their clothes or feet (sandals) when they returned to their homeland indicating that they would no longer have any further connection with them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. (Matthew 10:14-15) Then Jesus made an astounding statement concerning a final judgment that was to come. He indicated that the judgment, on those who heard the message of the kingdom of heaven and witnessed the signs which authenticated it, would be more severe than for those who were destroyed by fire and brimstone in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness (moral depravity). Will those who reject the message of salvation, in no matter what dispensation they are in, be held accountable (at fault)? | |
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This verse seems to clearly indicate that salvation is not of ourselves. I wonder what the Arminian response would be to this?
By Grace Are You Saved “not of yourselves” Suggested Reading: Ephesians 2:1-8; 1:17 Paul, in his letter to the Gentile believers at Ephesus, is addressing many different biblical topics. He expresses his desire that God the Father would give them a spirit of wisdom (an understanding of spiritual realities) and revelation (the disclosing of spiritual truths) so that they would get to know Christ personally and intimately. He goes on to tell them that even when they were dead in sins, they were quickened (made alive by the Spirit). He then expounded on what their conduct was like before their conversion. When they were unbelievers their behavior was not only ordered according to the customs or manners of this world (the system of evil … together with the purposes, pursuits, pleasures. and places where God is not wanted), but also according to the prince (the ruler) of the power (the whole empire of evil spirits) of the air (the region between the sky and the earth), the spirit (the evil spirit), which is the ruling principle that influences the lives (their thinking and acting) of the children of disobedience (unbelievers; those who are unpersuadable). What follows is a statement about their salvation, that it was not of themselves, but is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) This seems to clearly be saying that God causes a person to be saved. Is there another way to look at this? | |
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Consider this question, was the prophet Jeremiah caused to be a prophet or did he choose to accept the calling to the office of prophet?
Before I Formed Thee in the Belly I Knew Thee “I ordained thee a prophet” Suggested Reading: Jeremiah 1:1-5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5) Before Jeremiah was born God knew him, and because of such he sanctified (called) him for his service, and ordained (assigned) him to be a prophet to the nations. Could Jeremiah have rejected the calling to the office of prophet? | |
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In the following chapter, we will look at two scripture sections to which the Calvinist would say gives the strongest support to their argument that God chooses some (the elect) to salvation and the rest to damnation.
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