Post 7 - Vexing Questions-1a

Recap: In the last post we took a look at three theological datum points - the basics on which we all need to agree to be sure that we're all on the same starting page when it comes to truth-seeking with regard to the doctrine of election and predestination and the Christian faith. The three points were:

1. Every Christian wants to get this right - There is no doubt that both the Calvinists and non-Calvinists are sincere in their search for true understanding, and that we all want what God wants.

2. If the Bible says it, we believe it. - The Bible is God's word to us. Yet we have to acknowledge the interpretive nature of language.

3. The Bible is accessible and non-contradictory - God is not intentionally cryptic. He wants us to understand the gospel. And, if we encounter what seem to be contradictions in God's word, it's error on our part, not a contradiction on God's part.

Challenging Questions

As I mentioned in the previous post, one of the biggest frustrations in trying to understand a true-to-Scripture, non-contradictory perspective of God's purpose of election is that, while both sides seem eager to expose and exploit the obvious errors in the other’s interpretations, they are reluctant to deal with some weaknesses and unresolved questions in their own arguments. Also, both sides are really adept at "theological sophistry", posing barely plausible explanations for the perceived “mysteries” of this doctrine. I believe that what both Calvinists and non-Calvinists fail to notice is that within the Bible, God has actually provided a non-contradictory, clearly-presented exposition of election that is neither Calvinistic nor Arminian.

For the next several posts, we'll look at three challenging questions that often cause a bit of "heartburn" in the non-Calvinists. Then, in the following posts, we'll look at three thorny questions that challenge the Calvinistic view of election.

Question #1 - Why did you come to believe in Jesus but your neighbor (or brother, or friend, etc.) – did not?

Are you smarter? Wiser? More discerning? Special? Do you have something that they lack? If so, where/how did you get it, and why didn't they?

Of course, this is really a "gotcha" question posed by Calvinists to challenge the non-Calvinist and to help him realize that, deep down, he is boastfully taking credit for his own salvation. But apart from the "snarkiness", the question is a really good and reasonable line of inquiry - how does anyone become a Christian?

The answer to this question, and to it's counterpart - what keeps people from becoming Christians? - is actually quite complex and nuanced. We will probably devote at least a couple of discussions to this question, even then, barely scratch the surface of the intricacies involved in the spiritual mechanics of coming to faith. The one thing we can be sure of is that the answer to the question is not, "because God chose you before the foundation of the world and didn't choose your neighbor (or brother, or friend, etc.) for salvation." There is no biblical support for such an answer. We'll develop that in future discussions.

In this discussion, we'll focus on the 'how' of becoming a Christian. Next time we'll dig into the more difficult discussion of 'why'.

Unbelievable

Let's face it, the gospel is a completely unbelievable story, originally imparted to us by twelve or thirteen really improbable messengers. Yet we read over and over in our Bibles that even complete pagans who, upon hearing a single presentation of the gospel, cast off all skepticism, ignore all scorn, expose themselves to persecution – even torture and death – and yet they believe this completely irrational, story about God who became a man, walked on water, controlled the weather, was despised by his own people, crucified, buried, came back to life, and floated up to heaven. And, oh yeah, belief in this crazy story is the only way they could avoid eternal torture in a place called “the lake of fire.” While I believe that there was something really special and unique happening at the launching of the early Church, the fact that you and I have also believed this incredible story is what makes the Calvinists' question valid.

Ordo Saludis

Let's begin with a process that we see over and over again in the New Testament. It is the process theologians call the ordo salutis - the order of salvation. It is clearly described in the first chapter of the letter to the Ephesians.

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, (Ephesians 1:13 ESV)

In this verse, the apostle Paul gives the believers in Ephesus a brief overview of how they became Christians. The process is the same for us. The gospel - "the power of God unto salvation" (Rom 1:16) - is heard. The gospel is believed. God’s grace (power) is accessed (Rom 5:2). We are regenerated, justified and given the Holy Spirit, all by the grace of the God who loves us. That’s the biblical process expressed over and over again in Scripture - a process which leads to eternal life. (John 3:15, John 6:40, John 11:25, John 20:31, Acts 16:31, Romans 10:17, Colossians 2:12-13, 1 Timothy 1:16, etc.). In short, since the death of Jesus on the cross, the grace of God that offers salvation (Titus 2:11 - NIV) is available to all. Our role in getting the process started is simply to choose to believe.

Choose to believe

This is where the Calvinist says, "Gotcha!" The Reformed doctrine of total depravity maintains that, after the Fall, man, being "dead" and an “enemy” of God, plays no part in the salvation process. God chooses. God regenerates. God gives faith. God justifies. Note that since man is “dead”, the salvation process cannot even begin until God makes him alive (regeneration). Only then is he able he receive God’s gift of faith and be justified. In other words, the unregenerate man, they say, cannot "choose to believe".

On the contrary, from the very beginning, God’s offer of eternal life was never just granted to anyone unconditionally with no endeavor from man, neither before nor after the Fall.

• After the Fall, Adam had to be supernaturally prevented from “reaching out his hand, taking of the tree of life, and eating” (Genesis 3:22). Reaching out; taking; eating. These were intentional (and doable) actions required for the “fallen” Adam to obtain eternal life.

• Joshua tells the people of Israel to “choose life” by serving and obeying God (Deuteronomy 30:19). Serving and obeying; these were the newly prescribed conditions for salvation.

• Moses tells the people of Israel that whoever looks upon the snake in the wilderness will live (Numbers 21:9). No look (their action); no life (God's reaction).

• And Jesus tells the disciples during the Sermon on the Mount that only a few will find eternal life (Matthew 7:14). Eternal life must be found, it is not simply granted unconditionally.

From the beginning, man had to opt to take advantage of the grace provided by God - the tree of life, the Law, the gospel. Man makes the right choice. God is pleased. God grants man eternal life. If Adam and Eve obey God, they get access to the tree of life. If the nation of Israel serves God and obeys his commands, they live forever. And today, nothing pleases God more than when we believe in his Son so he can grant us salvation.

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. (John 3:14-15)

To learn more, please consider picking up my book - God's Elect: The Chosen Generation

(also available on Kindle)

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Elect-Generation-John- Chipman/dp/1632695723/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1507WZLOS9FHL&keywords=god%27s+elect+chipman&qid=1682632127&sprefix=god%27s+elect+chipman%2Caps%2C293&sr=8-1

(Also available at Barnes & Noble & Christianbook.com)

Next Post: We'll continue to answer the question, "Why did you come to believe in Jesus but your neighbor (or brother, or friend, etc.) – did not?" Here's a link to the next post:

https://www.bibleinsights.net/post/post-8-vexing-questions-1b