My theology should be described as reformed or Calvinistic. I and others who believe in the five points of Calvinism:
- Total Depravity
- Unconditional Election
- Limited Atonement
- Irresistible Grace
- Perseverance of the Saints
are often accused of belittling free will. Or sometimes those who appose Calvinism set up free will as if it is apposed to the five points previously listed.
It dawned on me today that one of the reasons I believe these five things to be true is because I also believe in free will. Free will is not apposed to these five points in any way. I don't believe it is, and I don't think Calvin did either (read
Freedom and Bondage of the Will by Calvin).
In reality it is the very fact that people have a free will tainted by sin that requires God to chose in His wisdom, according to His will and according to His pleasure to extend an irresistible grace. If He did not every person would chose (according to their own will) to resist God. No one would be saved and everyone would go to Hell. It seems much more loving, merciful, and kind for God to save at least some.
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2 comments:
Hey Pastor John,
I just read this post and I don't quite understand it. You say you believe in free will, but yet you say that people can't become a christian unless God extends an "irrisistable grace" to them. So if that is the only way that one can choose God, then how is that free will-if God has to choose you first?
By the way, my name is Tina and I met you up at Big Sandy this past week. :)
Tina, I remember you. I will try to explain what I mean in a few days, so check back. I will probably do a new blog regarding what free will is and what it isn't. I will admit that this is not a simple issue and can get complicated.
Tomorrow morning I leave for CO at 5 AM, so it will probably be Thursday or Friday before I have time to address this.
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