Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Why I'm not a Calvinist - scriptural proofs

Mark 9:23-24 NASB
[23] And Jesus said to him, "'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes." 

[24] Immediately the boy's father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief."

Choice- 'I do believe ' also the choice to say 'help my unbelief'

If Jesus were Calvinist he would say God is sovereign and can do as he pleases

But he doesn't say that he says that God does what people believe of Him.

He could work no miracles in Nazareth because of their unbelief.

The Hebrews fell short of the promised land not because God did not will it- he promised them possession but because of their unbelief- attitude problem

God wills many things but it is man who are not willing to cooperate to assent, to work with God that prevents a lot of promises coming to pass..

2 Corinthians 1:20 NASB
[20] For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.

- many promises for believers but not many actualized

Matthew 13:58 NASB
[58] And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.

Not because God did not will it, because in several scriptures the power of the lord was present to heal them all, but only a few took it to themselves

Matt 15:28
Dear woman," Jesus said to her, "your faith is great. Your request is granted." And her daughter was instantly healed.

Because of 'your faith' not because God willed it- seems he wants to emphasise her faith and her part in this

Deuteronomy 30:19 NASB
[19] I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,

-"Choose life"

Psalm 115:16 NASB
[16] The heavens are the heavens of the LORD, But the earth He has given to the sons of men.

Mans destined role as co-ruler with God- Kings and priests- means acting to represent a king on earth- delegated authority - even Paul says his own opinions carry the weight of one who represents the King tho these are not in scripture- 

John 15:7 NASB
[7] If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

-The exercise of sanctified will brings answers to prayer- "whatever you wish"

Philippians 1:19 NASB
[19] for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

God and man working together to bring results on earth- through your prayer and the provision of the spirit - I will be released from prison says Paul. 

2 Peter 3:11,12 NASB
[11] Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

[12] looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!

Our actions and attitudes can hasten the day of the Lord- something "preordained"

1 Timothy 2:3-4 NASB
[3] This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, [4] who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

-who desires all men

2 Peter 3:9 NASB
[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.

1) not wishing any to perish
2) but for all to be saved 

Unless any and all have the word elect there then I will be a Calvinist

John 3:17 NASB
[17] For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.

Again The world, in its badness not "the elect"

Ezekiel 18:23 NASB
[23] Do I have any pleasure in the death of the wicked," declares the Lord GOD, "rather than that he should turn from his ways and live?

-no pleasure in the death of the wicked,
-'That he should turn'

Acts 17:28 NASB
[28] for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.'

-in context Athenian unbelievers -"we are also His children" Paul quotes pagan texts - does that not reveal Gods compassionate heart to even unbelievers

Psalm 37:34 NASB
[34] Wait for the LORD and keep His way, And He will exalt you to inherit the land; When the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

I don't know what the four spiritual laws are but what I see in scripture is this- I don't see Christianity primarily as a system of beliefs- it is primarily an intimate conscious union - Intimacy with God is a choice- wait on God- hope in Him, "draw near to Him and He will draw near to you" are heart and relational terms.

I do agree with you when you say that God works in the believer for growth and Godliness- Arminians don't believe that works of the flesh can save or sanctify a man- only grace imparted by the Holy Spirit... But still, walk in the spirit Galatians says- which to me means surrender to the Holy Spirits work daily.

Romans 12:1 NASB
[1] Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

The act of surrender is a choice - that's about all the power we have- to surrender or not to surrender. To listen to the Holy Spirits voice or not to listen (Hebrews 4) or hardening the heart towards God- move towards intimacy or run away from God

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