Subject: LEFT BEHIND? |
Bible Note: Part 2 Q2."what difference would it make in your theology if all were given an opportunity for salvation but also the right to accept or reject it?" Reformed theology teahes that the gospel should be proclaimed to every person. But that only the elect will recieve it. It is referred to as the "general" or "outward" call. Here again , only the elect will repond positively. The reason I believe this to be God's truth is because Jesus taught it. John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day." John 6:65 And He was saying, "For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father." You wrote: "That election, predestined, and such simply meant God knew from creation who would reject Christ." I covered election above. Predestination - This word is properly used only with reference to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or "determinate purpose" of God governs all events.(Easton's Bible Dictionary) Eph 1:11 also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, The Strongs Concordance defines predestine as. 1) to predetermine, decide beforehand 2) in the NT of God decreeing from eternity 3) to foreordain, appoint beforehand So, as you can see Ed, it is impossible (as long as words mean something) for me to accept election or foreknew or predestine as anything other than the plain reading of the text indicates them to be. You Wrote:" I know you say the “all” means all that are elected but I can not accept that." Let me choose just one verse that you cited containing the word "all" that clearly cannot mean every single member of humanity. 2 Cor. 5:14-15 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. "For the love of Christ controls us,". Paul is speaking to the believers in Corinth, so the object of the verb "controls" is "us". Therefore, taking into consideration the context, "all" refers to all of us. This is simple grammar. It is obvious that the phrase "therefore all died" applies only to those who died in Christ. Can it possibly mean" that therefore all of humanity died"? No. For only believers have died to their old selves and are reborn in Christ. I would be happy to discuss any one of the verses you listed if you wish. "Second question a young boy not “chosen” hears about hell and develops a mortal fear of going there, would a loving God never give him a means to escape? " Fear does not save anyone. As you know, we are saved by faith alone as is taught in ephesians 4:8,9. But your arguement presumes that this boy fears hell and also desires salvation. If He flees to Christ he will be saved for "all (and this means any and every one) who comes to Jesus, He will not cast out. Now if the boy fears hell but continus in sin and rebellion he will be condemned. The difference betwen those who come to Christ and those who will not is God's grace. For Jesus also said that no one can come to Him unless The Father draws them. You may say that the Father draws everyone, but that is not true, for all that He draws He sends to His Son and all that He sends are saved and raised up on the last day! See John 6. The doctrine of election when ffirst tasted is a bitter pill for many. However, as I myself have found, the more I wrestle with it and learn to bow before God's truth the sweeter it becomes. It does not matter one iota whether I like or dislike, agree or disagree, understand or remain puzzled about any jot or tittle in God's word. But I must believe it! John |