John Calvin: "By predestination we mean the eternal decree of God, by which he determined with himself whatever he wished to happen with regard to every man. All are not created on equal terms, but some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation; and, accordingly, as each has been created for one or other of these ends, we say that he has been predestinated to life or to death." (Institutes of Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 21,
I have been challenged on what my issue with Calvinism is. Its above. Now I admit I found this on the net and I will take the advice of someone who posted a comment and read the actual works of Calvin when I find them and have the time. However, I am not sure how you can take the statement "All are not created on equal terms, but some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation; "
How can you not think Calvin believes God created people to burn.
My thought is yes he does know who will get saved and yes He knew that and created them anyway. why? Because God gives us freewill. I believe that he wants NONE to perish. Some choose damnation. God wont stop them but it greives him when they do. Its not aha I made this one choose hell.
I beleive all are CALLED to be the elect. Those who accept the office of Christian actually get elected.
Chew on this for a while
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About 3 years ago I dropped into a black hole – four months of absolute terror. I wanted to end my life, but somehow [Holy Spirit], I reached out to a friend who took me to hospital. I had three visits [hospital] in four months – I actually thought I was in hell. I imagine I was going through some sort of metamorphosis [mental, physical & spiritual]. I had been seeing a therapist [1994] on a regular basis, up until this point in time. I actually thought I would be locked away – but the hospital staff was very supportive [I had no control over my process]. I was released from hospital 16th September 1994, but my fear, pain & shame had only subsided a little. I remember this particular morning waking up [home] & my process would start up again [fear, pain, & shame]. No one could help me, not even my therapist [I was terrified]. I asked Jesus Christ to have mercy on me & forgive me my sins. Slowly, all my fear has dissipated & I believe Jesus delivered me from my “psychological prison.” I am a practicing Catholic & the Holy Spirit is my friend & strength; every day since then has been a joy & blessing. I deserve to go to hell for the life I have led, but Jesus through His sacrifice on the cross, delivered me from my inequities. John 3: 8, John 15: 26, are verses I can relate to, organically. He’s a real person who is with me all the time. I have so much joy & peace in my life, today, after a childhood spent in orphanages [England & Australia]. God LOVES me so much. Fear, pain, & shame, are no longer my constant companions. I just wanted to share my experience with you [Luke 8: 16 – 17].
Peace Be With You
Micky
That is an awesome testimony. Thanks for sharing it
i've never dropped into a black hole, but i feel like my spiritual life is similar to yours though i don't go to church and i don't specify a relationship with the holy spirit. but knowing that greater forces beyond my comprehension exist and that all life is connected bring me much joy and peace.
I don't know about whether you deserve to go to hell, but i believe that simply by being alive, you deserve and are capable of living a blissful and loving, Christlike life right here and now.
I'm glad that you have found peace after a rough childhood i can't even begin to imagine. All i ask is that you don't condemn me for not believing in exactly everything that you do, though it seems we are both experiencing different aspects of the same thing, the "great singularity" as i like to call it, one love, God, the entirety of all existence.
God chooses some and not others. Matt 13:10-16; John 10:24-30
"Foreknowledge" as used in the Bible is not only knowledge of the future but is closely connected to how God related to the elect. This is the only way that it is ever presented. Rom. 9:26-29
All people are lost in sin and unable to respond to God without Him seeking them first. Jer. 17:9; John 6:44, Rom. 3:1-23; 2Cor. 4:3-4; Eph. 2:1-3
God is sovereign in what He does and does all things according to His own will and pleasure. Rom. 9:20-21; Eph. 1:5; Phil. 2:13; Rev. 4:11
God has chosen certain people for salvation no matter what their descent or deeds. John 6:37; John 6:44, 65; Acts 13:48
Election is the expressing of God's perfect will and is the cause of our faith. Eph. 2:8-10
God's will cannot be thwarted. His elect will come to faith. Rom. 8:29-30
Election is from all eternity and is immutable. Eph. 1:4-11
You can have all the problems you want with Calvin but the Bible is exceedingly clear that there is an elect! Despite the obvious descriptions of God choosing specific people all over the Bible and rejecting others… the actual fricking word appears 11 times!
Did God not harden the heart of Pharaoh? Was there not a chosen people? Could Paul have resisted Christ... could Moses have turned from the burning bush? The entire Bible is the story of God choosing certain people over others. Do you really think that the Canaanites were chosen?
I give you solid, historical, theologically and biblically demonstrated information and you give me your feelings (along with a theory that was condemned as “unscriptural” at the outset in 1619 by the synod of Dort, just nine years after it was presented.).
The Bible clearly presents a God who elects some for glory and others for the fire. The fact that this makes you and I both uncomfortable does not matter! It is God's choice to do as He wishes and we cannot ignore it just to try and makes ourselves feel better.
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