Predestination continued.
This point of view is one that I have come to after many years of study, prayer, and meditation on the relevant scriptures, taking all of them together in context, using the whole council of God. I see no inconsistency in my conclusion. Feel free to disagree and discuss any part of what I have written.
1 Peter 3:9
“To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.” NIV
Here is where the term elect comes from. All the scriptures that I used last week also apply here. The big difference is the term foreknowledge as opposed to predestined. What this does is give further insight into unraveling this issue.
Here is how.
God is eternal and so he has to be, according to our temporal standard, the same past, present, and future. (Heb 13:8) God is not on a timeline, he sees everything simultaneously.
Given this eternal perspective he knew right from the outset, from the beginning of creation, who would choose to be saved and who would reject his salvation plan. The choice is ours, of our own free will. Does he draw us in? Yes. Everybody will be presented with the choice, whether or not it is accepted or received is an individual decision we make.
Here is the kicker: 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
God does not want anybody to perish so he has his salvation plan in place and EVERYBODY will have an opportunity to accept the plan or reject it. Being eternal he already knows who received his plan and trusted in Christ as savior.
This conclusion is what makes the most sense to me. I used the Bible in full context to arrive at this conclusion. This topic and the difficulty of it is one of the reasons I fell away for a while. I could not make sense of it where I was attending church and from what I was being taught. As always though, the spirit drew me back in. I dropped the “ology” and “ism” I was being taught, which freed my mind, and I have found a place where I can be comfortable and assured with the concept and conclusion I have arrived at.
Gods way are not our ways. God trying to teach us anything is tantamount to us trying to teach quantum physics to an amoeba, and this analogy still isn’t strong enough to describe the difference in intellect and nature of his being compared to ours.
We only have his book, the Bible, to go by. A small part of his knowledge is contained in this book and we are only capable of fully understanding a very small part of it. It contains an eternity of knowledge and we have but a lifetime to get to know what we can.
I pray that this has helped somebody today and until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Context, Context, Context - Part 3
The Doctrine of Predestination – Another Point of Contention
This doctrine is an important aspect of an “olgy” and “ism” that I have major issues with. Those who believe differently from me I still call my brothers and sisters but unfortunately many on the other side of this issue fall into the “Believe as I do or you are a heretic” category. These are many of the same folk who accuse others of turning the Word on its head to fit their doctrine when they are guilty of the same thing when it come to predestination. This is indeed unfortunate.
Here is the scripture in dispute:
Ephesians 1:11 “ In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,”
NIV
Here are some scriptures related to this discussion to read and study:
Christianity 101 – John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Joel 2: 32, Acts 2-21, Romans 10:13 – “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 8:32a “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all”
One thing that stands out in these verses is that Christ died for us all. It doesn’t say he died for the chosen ones, or the predestined ones, he died for us all, loved us all, while we were all still sinners. John 3:16 clearly states "whoever believes in him" it does not say the predestined or elect that believe in him will be saved.
Who specifically is Paul talking about? He is talking about all those who have received Christ as savior. When we received Christ, of our own free will, we became part of the elect, the chosen, the predestined.
If we believe that God chose us individually, before the beginning of time to be saved, and others for damnation then we have a massive contradiction with the scriptures quoted above. Since the Bible cannot and does not contradict itself, this view is erroneous.
There is another view of this subject that adds clarity, at least for me. Again using the principle of using the bible to clarify itself lets look at Eph 1:11-12 in context:
“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.”
Paul was calling the very first believers the predestined ones. This view, is also acceptable and causes no contradiction with the rest of scripture.
But Dan, what about 1 Peter? I'll tackle that aspect next week.
This is a very difficult subject and I tried to simplify it. Keep in mind the most important thing to remember is that your salvation does not hang on believing one way or the other, it hangs on faith and trust and receiving Christ as savior.
I pray that this has helped somebody today and until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
This doctrine is an important aspect of an “olgy” and “ism” that I have major issues with. Those who believe differently from me I still call my brothers and sisters but unfortunately many on the other side of this issue fall into the “Believe as I do or you are a heretic” category. These are many of the same folk who accuse others of turning the Word on its head to fit their doctrine when they are guilty of the same thing when it come to predestination. This is indeed unfortunate.
Here is the scripture in dispute:
Ephesians 1:11 “ In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,”
NIV
Here are some scriptures related to this discussion to read and study:
Christianity 101 – John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Joel 2: 32, Acts 2-21, Romans 10:13 – “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 8:32a “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all”
One thing that stands out in these verses is that Christ died for us all. It doesn’t say he died for the chosen ones, or the predestined ones, he died for us all, loved us all, while we were all still sinners. John 3:16 clearly states "whoever believes in him" it does not say the predestined or elect that believe in him will be saved.
Who specifically is Paul talking about? He is talking about all those who have received Christ as savior. When we received Christ, of our own free will, we became part of the elect, the chosen, the predestined.
If we believe that God chose us individually, before the beginning of time to be saved, and others for damnation then we have a massive contradiction with the scriptures quoted above. Since the Bible cannot and does not contradict itself, this view is erroneous.
There is another view of this subject that adds clarity, at least for me. Again using the principle of using the bible to clarify itself lets look at Eph 1:11-12 in context:
“In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.”
Paul was calling the very first believers the predestined ones. This view, is also acceptable and causes no contradiction with the rest of scripture.
But Dan, what about 1 Peter? I'll tackle that aspect next week.
This is a very difficult subject and I tried to simplify it. Keep in mind the most important thing to remember is that your salvation does not hang on believing one way or the other, it hangs on faith and trust and receiving Christ as savior.
I pray that this has helped somebody today and until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Contex, Contex, Context - Part 2
Matthew 18:19 A Point of Contention Within the Body
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” NIV
As stated last week the most important thing to look for when studying the Bible is context of a given scripture. We gave an example of cultural context last week. This week I want to touch on scriptural context. I don’t like to be repetitious but I need to emphasize this point. For the sake of simplicity there is context within a passage, passage within a chapter, chapter in the book being studied, and the Book within the rest of the Bible. In other words we need to use the Bible to clarify itself. Given proper context there should never be a contradiction in the Bible. If there is contradiction, there is error.
There are many very popular preachers that use Matthew 18:19 out of its context. They use it to treat Jesus like a genie. They say if your faith is strong enough and several agree with you in prayer you WILL receive what you ask for. That is not what Matthew 18: 19 is about. There is also much spiritual abuse that can come out of this interpretation as well. If you don’t get what you ask for they will tell you your faith is not strong enough, or worse yet, that you may not even be saved. I even heard one very popular “teacher” say “Don’t give me that will of God stuff”. Can you imagine a man of God heaping this kind of condemnation on somebody? I am here to tell you that kind teaching is from the pit. How do I know this for certain?
1 John 1:9 says: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” NIV
So then it is the will of God is what determines how our prayers are answered. So what about Matthew 18:19? If you start at Matthew 18:15 and read the whole passage in context you will see that the correct interpretation (exegesis for you bible scholars out there) concerns disputes and overt sin among believers.
15"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'[b] 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be[c]bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[d] loosed in heaven.
19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." NIV
Given this clarification there is no longer a conflict with 1 John 5:14. Again I want to emphasize that it is important to use scripture to clarify itself. By simply going back several verses we can clearly see the intended meaning of Matthew 18:19.
The Christian walk is difficult enough without incorrect teaching getting in the way. Always take the time to study on your own and don’t take anybody’s teaching as fact. If something doesn’t hit you right and triggers your discernment look it up, study, and please pray about it.
I hope this has helped somebody today.
Until next time may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.” NIV
As stated last week the most important thing to look for when studying the Bible is context of a given scripture. We gave an example of cultural context last week. This week I want to touch on scriptural context. I don’t like to be repetitious but I need to emphasize this point. For the sake of simplicity there is context within a passage, passage within a chapter, chapter in the book being studied, and the Book within the rest of the Bible. In other words we need to use the Bible to clarify itself. Given proper context there should never be a contradiction in the Bible. If there is contradiction, there is error.
There are many very popular preachers that use Matthew 18:19 out of its context. They use it to treat Jesus like a genie. They say if your faith is strong enough and several agree with you in prayer you WILL receive what you ask for. That is not what Matthew 18: 19 is about. There is also much spiritual abuse that can come out of this interpretation as well. If you don’t get what you ask for they will tell you your faith is not strong enough, or worse yet, that you may not even be saved. I even heard one very popular “teacher” say “Don’t give me that will of God stuff”. Can you imagine a man of God heaping this kind of condemnation on somebody? I am here to tell you that kind teaching is from the pit. How do I know this for certain?
1 John 1:9 says: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” NIV
So then it is the will of God is what determines how our prayers are answered. So what about Matthew 18:19? If you start at Matthew 18:15 and read the whole passage in context you will see that the correct interpretation (exegesis for you bible scholars out there) concerns disputes and overt sin among believers.
15"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.'[b] 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 18"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be[c]bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be[d] loosed in heaven.
19"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." NIV
Given this clarification there is no longer a conflict with 1 John 5:14. Again I want to emphasize that it is important to use scripture to clarify itself. By simply going back several verses we can clearly see the intended meaning of Matthew 18:19.
The Christian walk is difficult enough without incorrect teaching getting in the way. Always take the time to study on your own and don’t take anybody’s teaching as fact. If something doesn’t hit you right and triggers your discernment look it up, study, and please pray about it.
I hope this has helped somebody today.
Until next time may the LORD bless us and keep us, in Jesus name I pray.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Context, Context, Context – Part 1
Like so many others I have come to the conclusion that the vast majority of conflict in the church is caused by poor application of scripture due to the inability to read scripture in it’s proper context causing poor theology to reign supreme.
There are several types of context, one of them is cultural. There are many examples of cultural context I can cite but I really want to keep this as simple as possible.
I once heard a very popular preacher declare that Jesus and the Apostles had to be rich since some of them owned boats, one was a Taxman and another was an accountant. Why would they need a taxman and an accountant if they weren’t rich. The poor man has no concept of cultural context. Matthew was a tax collector. They didn’t have an IRS code back in the first century nor did they have accountants as we know them today. Fishermen built their own boats and maintained them in order to eek out a living. They were anything but luxury items and the profession was looked down upon by the masses. It was a difficult way to make a meager living.
The man is guilty of using anachronisms to prove his point and by doing so turning scripture on it’s head. After making this absurd statement he also had the audacity to say, “It’s amazing what you can find in the bible if you know what to look for “. This was one of the most egregiously erroneous sermons I have ever heard.
Never read anything into scripture that isn’t there. One should also be mindful to use the Bible to clarify itself. If a statement by a teacher doesn’t sound correct, double check it for yourself. Remember when studying a verse determine its meaning by looking at it’s usage within the paragraph or passage, then within the chapter, then within the book and finally within the entire Bible. You must use the whole council of GOD. If you have a conflict anywhere, you have an error since the Bible never contradicts itself.
Next week I will cover some other things to look and listen for when studying the Word or listening to sermons.
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep, in Jesus name I pray.
There are several types of context, one of them is cultural. There are many examples of cultural context I can cite but I really want to keep this as simple as possible.
I once heard a very popular preacher declare that Jesus and the Apostles had to be rich since some of them owned boats, one was a Taxman and another was an accountant. Why would they need a taxman and an accountant if they weren’t rich. The poor man has no concept of cultural context. Matthew was a tax collector. They didn’t have an IRS code back in the first century nor did they have accountants as we know them today. Fishermen built their own boats and maintained them in order to eek out a living. They were anything but luxury items and the profession was looked down upon by the masses. It was a difficult way to make a meager living.
The man is guilty of using anachronisms to prove his point and by doing so turning scripture on it’s head. After making this absurd statement he also had the audacity to say, “It’s amazing what you can find in the bible if you know what to look for “. This was one of the most egregiously erroneous sermons I have ever heard.
Never read anything into scripture that isn’t there. One should also be mindful to use the Bible to clarify itself. If a statement by a teacher doesn’t sound correct, double check it for yourself. Remember when studying a verse determine its meaning by looking at it’s usage within the paragraph or passage, then within the chapter, then within the book and finally within the entire Bible. You must use the whole council of GOD. If you have a conflict anywhere, you have an error since the Bible never contradicts itself.
Next week I will cover some other things to look and listen for when studying the Word or listening to sermons.
Until the next time, may the LORD bless us and keep, in Jesus name I pray.
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