Catch Up and Wrap Up on Calvinism

Introduction

Hey, this is Christianity Today, and it's going to be a short show. We've been talking about Calvinism in the past, and it's been quite a while. I just want to wrap it up and share a few thoughts on it.

Calvinism: A Personal Perspective

When it comes to Calvinism, it is man's way of taking scripture and forming a model that other people subscribe to and then believe upon. You have to be careful when any human being takes scripture and says, "This is the formula that is being presented to us. Take it, eat it, drink it, live it because it's the right formula and God wants you to have it."

I believe God speaks to us in many different ways. For some people, He speaks more heavily by the spirit; for others, through music, emotions, or logically. Some people find that God takes a long time with them; for others, it happens quickly. After discussing Calvinism, if you're a Calvinist and that's what you believe, and it works for you, go ahead. However, sometimes it can do some damage to people's relationship with God, which is something you never want to see.

Calvinism vs. Arminianism

Let me end with a brief look at both perspectives. Calvinists say men are saved because God picks one man, and that person will be saved. He doesn't pick another, and that person will not be saved. That's the Calvinist story: God picks, or He doesn't pick, eternal life or hell.

The Arminian response is that God wants to save everyone, but He can't do anything about it because they have free will. God desires to express love and save them, but He can't because their free will trumps His desires.

A Third Option

I would suggest considering a third option, supported by Scripture: God will have His way, but through the free will of human beings. He knows what it will take in a person's life for them to come around to His way of thinking. Some people seem to be born with a love for God, while others take time. Some might live their whole life without knowing Him, but later on, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. God will have His will, and what's His will?

Total Reconciliation

The Calvinist says it's only to save a few, while the Arminian says it's to save everybody but He can't. I suggest a total reconciliation: God reconciles the whole world to Himself through the acts of His Son but leaves it up to individuals on when they'll come around. God knows when they will, and He operates with that in mind.

Scriptural Support

Two scriptures support this idea:

1. 1 Timothy 2:3-4: "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

I must be fair and note the Greek language nuances. But the core message is clear concerning God's desire for all people to be saved.

Understanding God's Will for Salvation

In discussing the theological perspective on salvation, it's essential to differentiate between God's permissive and expressed will.

God's Permissive Will

When we examine the Greek text, we find that 1 Timothy 2:3-4 reflects God's permissive will. The passage indicates that God our Savior would like to have all men be saved and come to the truth of the knowledge of our Savior. This suggests a divine preference but not an inevitability. It is important to be candid that this is what the passage communicates.

God's Expressed Will

In contrast, 2 Peter 3:9 illustrates God's expressed will. The scripture states: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but the Lord is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Peter, the Apostle, emphasizes that the Lord is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

This phrase, not willing that any should perish, conveys a stronger assertion in the Greek. It indicates that God is not willing to allow this outcome to happen, signifying an ultimate divine intention for all to come to repentance.

Conclusion

These distinctions are crucial when assessing various interpretations within Christianity. The teachings in 2 Peter showcase a more definitive stance on God's intentions. When considering alternative views on Christianity, it's vital to understand these nuances, as they might differ from what one thought they knew.