Tuesday, January 26, 2010

PreDestination

Please give me your thoughts on election and predestination.

I cannot wait to hear what you have to say.
Posted by Stacy at 2:46 PM

5 comments:

  1. JennaJanuary 26, 2010 at 5:20 PM

    That is a big can of worms!:) I will have to think on that before I really comment...it will be hard to put my thoughts into words! Hope you are doing well.

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  2. StacyJanuary 26, 2010 at 7:24 PM

    Jenna - yes I agree, can of worms - just really been studying it lately. Curious on how others view it. It is becoming way too much for me to wrap my head around. I would love to hear your thoughts on the subject whenever you can get them together.

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  3. KathrynJanuary 27, 2010 at 6:45 AM

    I am pretty sure Chris called Luke about this yesterday...my thoughts are too much to type out and I probably wouldn't make any sense in the end! Haha! I hope to see you soon!

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  4. Kim HousleyApril 2, 2010 at 10:17 PM

    Be careful with this one...Calvinism is really starting to take a foothold here in East Texas, and the Lord is not in it. It can seem to be "cut and dried" when you are taught predestination in the wrong manner. It would take more than I am going to write on this entry, but in a nutshell, God did not predestine us to be saved, he predestined us to be "conformed into his image" once we are saved. It is a work he will begin in us and "perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." Phil. 1:6
    So many things are taken out of context from the Word of God to prove so many different things, but this goes against so many verses--"that whosoever believeth in him..." He died for all, but all will not choose to receive His wonderful grace. He began His Word with the story of Adam and Eve, to show us the ability He gave man to choose. A predestination as taught by many is an irresistible grace, or forced love. God uses pictures in His Word and in our lives to illustrate His truths. A satisfied parent is one who has a child who has chosen to obey. Forced physical love is a terrible picture. Ephesians 2:8-9 is one of our favorite scriptures to use for soul winning, but it can apply in this context: we can't work for our salvation "lest any man should boast", but wouldn't we have a reason to brag if God had chosen us and not another? This goes against His character as a true and just God. Jesus was our model. He had the ability to choose what He did on this earth, He asked for that cup to be taken from Him, He knew it was the only way, and He chose God's Will--God did not force Him.
    The families who believe in this type of predestination will often be perfect examples. The Bible preachers and authors that teach this will often have wonderful insight. This does not mean they are right. We knew of a man who was excited to be a missionary in Romania, then was taught the doctrine of election. By the end of his study, he made the decision not to be a missionary, his reasoning was that those people that were to come to Christ would do so with or without him--he stayed home. A good book on the subject is "The Other Side of Calvinism" by Laurence Vance

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  5. Kim HousleyApril 2, 2010 at 10:30 PM

    Jim's two cents:

    Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
    The logic is taken to its conclusion. Once again, the thought is not of sovereign or irresistible grace. Rather, it is an overview
    of God’s working. As God planned a body of believers to be conformed to the image of His Son, He called them. That call remains to this day: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are
    heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
    “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let
    him take of the water of life freely”(Revelation 22:17). Unfortunately,
    not every one called has come. However, for those who have responded to His call, “them he also justified.” The greater principle of justification, so fully developed, is thus
    related to God’s will, call, and plan. Furthermore, “whom he justified, them he also glorified.” The ultimate glorification of
    the believer is in view. In our standing (position) in Christ, we already have been glorified. However, the fullness of that glorification yet awaits. Nevertheless, we thus far have received only the down payment in the gift of the Holy Spirit. But we
    have the hope of His glorification in our resurrected bodies and the full glory of salvation in that day. Hence, our glorification is both accomplished and yet future.

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