| Re: Does God unchangeably ordain everything that comes to pass?
Felix,
Greetings.
You said:
Again I thank you for your note promising to post responses to what you call the “false doctrines of Calvinism”.
I am looking forward to your postings. Since you have demonstrated a commitment to the Bible, I would particularly be interested in seeing how you explain these Bible passages:
1. John 1:12 & 13 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, {even} to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
(…without the usual freewill insistence on verse 12 to the exclusion of verse 13; or without providing a new meaning to what verse 13 says altogether; or without placing the so called man’s part and God’s part on equal footing as though men and God have different but equally crucial parts to play in the matter of salvation; etc. )
ELDV: The first phrase says everything: "as many as received him". As many as received him were given the ability to be born of God, which is the new birth (John 3:5, Romans 6:3-7).
Felix:
2. 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.
(…without providing a new meaning to the understanding of “NO ONE” and the Father’s “DRAWING”)
ELDV: God would draw all men to Him (1 Timothy 2:4), but men refuse him.
Felix:
3. Eph 2:1 “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins”
(…without providing a new meaning to the Biblical understanding of “DEAD”)
ELDV: Absolutely (Romans 6:23). While we were in sin, we were as dead men walking.
Felix:
4. 2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
(…without implying that Gods’ wish for “none” to perish can be undone by the simple exercise of a person’s independent wish)
ELDV: You obviously see the problem with your own interpretation. 1 Timothy 2:4 and 2 Peter 3:9 both indicate God's desire is for "all" to be saved, and yet we know that all will not be saved (Matthew 7:13-14). Either we can dispense with the false assumption that God's sovereignty demands that God's wishes must come to pass, or we're left with a massive inconsistency.
This is a declarative statement that cannot be denied.
This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 ESV
The Calvinistic God is a mess or a sadist; regardless, he is not the LORD of Hosts.
ELDV
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