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NASB | Ephesians 1:5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 1:5 He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will-- |
Subject: How did Paul understand salvation? |
Bible Note: BradK: One doesn't need to be wedded to any particular theological school (except orthodox Christianity) to enjoy Spurgeon. The paradox is, however, that those who need his solid biblical teaching the most are possibly the least likely to expose themselves to his works. Spurgeon was a Baptist, and so am I. I believe it is accurate to say that in his younger years he was far more fervently Calvinistic than he was in his more mature years. The quote you cited in your post is from the mature Spurgeon. Later in his life he stated plainly that he was a very poor Calvinist. On the subject of election, he is on record as saying that he prayed that God would save all the elect -- and then elect some more. Spurgeon was wise enough to be able to see, and honest enough to admit, that the subjects of election and predestination are, and will remain on this side of eternity at least, mysteries that God has chosen to remain largely in His province alone. The problem comes, not with the biblical doctrines themselves, but with man's presumption in feigning to understand these deep mysteries of God and proceeding to teach and to cram down the throats of others what he himself does not understand. There are theological concepts that are beyond man's grasp. There are mysteries of the transcendent God that take us to the end of our tether and beyond which we cannot go. But a child can understand the message of John 3:16. I particularly like what the eminent theologian John Barth said, which I have referred to on these pages before. When asked by a group of seminary students to cite the single most important truth he had learned from his years of study and reflection, Dr. Barth quoted the words from a well-known children's hymn: "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so." Few if any of us could realistically aspire to know more than this for as long as we walk this earth on feet of clay. --Hank |