Free Will or Predestined... Part 1

Every now and then I like a good theological challenge and so I attempt an honorable mention in trying to understand the heart and Will of God.  I expect this shall be one of those moments!  Please note that this is not a theological treatise and this is not a systematic discussion on Calvanism, Arminianism, free will, predestination, election, or even sovereignty.  This is an honest conviction based on study of Scripture and much prayer. 

The other day I was sitting at my in-laws house and I noticed a short pamphlet on the coffee table put out by the Alabama Baptist a few years ago outlining the debate over this whole Calvinism - Armenians debacle that has taken center stage on many college and seminary campuses over the past couple decades.  The pamphlet was not intended to steer the reader toward one particular side but give an objective breakdown of the discussion.  Immediately it brought me back to my days at the University of Mobile sitting in countless theology and religion classes with many close friends and brothers in the ministry to this day!  Unfortunately this issue was a stumbling block for many on that campus who didn't know Christ and therefore only heard the argument/debate that often led to hot tempers and unfortunate assumptions. This is a hot-bed topic, yet it still needs to be addressed.  I want to caution any reader here to be sensitive to your spiritual depth.  If you are a new Christian or still searching, this blog might leave you confused and even dejected.  Proceed with caution.   For you out there who want some good thoughts, here we go!

I am Southern Baptist by membership, but Christian by identity!  By in large, Southern Baptist are all some form of Calvinists.  Ok.  Don't get mad at me here.  You got the wrong idea if you've been around this debate much.  For far too long, we've labeled all Calvinists as Hyper-Calvinists.  John Calvin original writings and thoughts on this discussion didn't even go that far!  Dortian Calvinism (Hyper-Calvinism) is noted for 5 main points:

(1) Total Depravity of Man   Namely that man is corrupt, inerrantly sinful, and degenerate on their own.  Romans 3:23 sums this up, "For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God."  Mankind is nothing more than worthless stainful rags in our own fleshly devices. 

(2) Unconditional Election   Namely that mankind has no control over his eternal state in so much as God's particular calling is specific for some and impossible for others.  It's the belief that God has predestined some for redemption and others for damnation.

(3) Limited Atonement.  The belief that the blood of Jesus Christ shed at Calvary only has the power to cover the sin of those whom God has predestined for redemption. 

(4) Irresistible Grace.   Namely that when God calls someone who He has elected to salvation, they have no choice in the response to that calling. 

(5) Perseverance of the Saints.  The belief in the eternal security of the Christian.  It's the "once saved, always saved" conviction.

For most people who have heard this debate, they either choose Calvinism or Armenianism as their launching points.  Armenians basically takes the above 5 points and is the opposite view.  No total depravity, complete free choice, full atonement, resistible grace, and losable salvation.  If you've read anything I've written above then you see that BOTH sides are Biblically faulty!  Both sides fall woefully short of truth in full context of Scripture.

I am a 2 or 2 1/2 point Calvinists!  Or to say it better.... I am a fully Biblical Christian!  I am fully convinced of both the Total Depravity of Mankind and truth of Eternal Security.  Like every other aspiring theologian, I  struggle with the middle of Dortian Calvinists theory.  For me, it is hard to separate where the free will of man ends and the foreknowledge of God begins.   So, I believe in free will and free choice on the part of all mankind to either choose Jesus or reject Jesus.  However, I do know that God has a knowledge of who will place their faith in Him and who will not.  For those God foreknew, He predestined to be the elect.  It's not a matter of God being partial or unjust here.  It's about God being sovereign and existing outside of time, space, and history  to the point that His knowledge supersedes our choice!  We must have free will as creative beings with a soul, but God still controls the overall outcome of everything under creation!  That's His choice!  We get so attached to our argument because we want to defend our rights of salvation.  However, salvation is not a right, it is a free gift of grace.  It's not about something we do, it's about what He has done!  We must keep this in mind! 

As far as "Irresistible Grace", I've preached too many sermons and stood at the alter to see people claw their knuckles into the pew in front of them, refusing to be changed by grace and resisting the free gift of salvation.  As far as "Limited Atonement," the blood of Christ is strong enough to cover the sins of all mankind for it is the blood of the Holy One, the Redeemer, the Divine Sacrifice.  We can discuss this more in later blogs. 

This is the first part of many on this subject.  I'd like to hear your thoughts. 

Remember this however...  this debate should be something that brings all Christians to full reality of the full truth of God's incredible Word!  We still must be evangelistic representation of Christ, living out the fruits of the Holy Spirit in our life!  Until next time....