the simplicity that is in Christ
i know this may cause a rift but i just can't help it. After a year of honestly wrestling with the Calvinist/Arminian debate i've come to the conclusion that both have error. i used to adhere to this in the beginning of my venture into these two points of view but fell on the side of Reformed theology because i couldn't refute much of what orthodox reformed believers would come at me with. They know how to win the debate through solid exegesis with respect to the Old and New covenants so i still lean that way (sola scriptura) but..i think that pride has blinded both camps. i think we've left the simplicity of Christ in the dust. This is an EXTREMELY important discussion because we're talking about Gods nature, His aim and character. i'm not tryin to be fresh trust and i'm not trying to come up with my own personal theology, i'm just starting to think this whole thing is mad sick n twisted
2 Corinthians 11
1 Would that ye could bear with me in a little foolishness: but indeed ye do bear with me.
2 For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ.
Paul was probably the greatest theologian that's ever lived and in 2 Corinthians (as well in other places) i think it's pretty clear with respect to this debate that Gods ways truly are "past finding out". We are commanded to study to show ourselves approved, rightly dividing the word of truth but i just don't think we can piece everything together so neatly and i'm fine with that now.
Again he states...
17 Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.
18 But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God.
21 Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
He's beseeching in Christs stead that they be reconciled..it's a decision that we make..God IS sovereign but somewhere in the midst of all this, man has partial freewill. It a blend of both. SInce becoming a "5 point Calvinist" by default i've lost some of the joy..it became almost robotic. Now that i've released it to God my joy is back, i'm more excited than ever to seek Him with my whole heart. My brothers (and sisters) in both camps would argue that i've fallen for the hype but i don't think so..opinions?
2 Corinthians 11
1 Would that ye could bear with me in a little foolishness: but indeed ye do bear with me.
2 For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ.
Paul was probably the greatest theologian that's ever lived and in 2 Corinthians (as well in other places) i think it's pretty clear with respect to this debate that Gods ways truly are "past finding out". We are commanded to study to show ourselves approved, rightly dividing the word of truth but i just don't think we can piece everything together so neatly and i'm fine with that now.
Again he states...
17 Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.
18 But all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 to wit, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not reckoning unto them their trespasses, and having committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
20 We are ambassadors therefore on behalf of Christ, as though God were entreating by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God.
21 Him who knew no sin he made to be sin on our behalf; that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
He's beseeching in Christs stead that they be reconciled..it's a decision that we make..God IS sovereign but somewhere in the midst of all this, man has partial freewill. It a blend of both. SInce becoming a "5 point Calvinist" by default i've lost some of the joy..it became almost robotic. Now that i've released it to God my joy is back, i'm more excited than ever to seek Him with my whole heart. My brothers (and sisters) in both camps would argue that i've fallen for the hype but i don't think so..opinions?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by yshwa4life on -
There's so much confusion in our world right now..the bible is the only way to truly understand what truth is..even if it doesn't make sense to us we need to trust what it says and not step out out of it's authority...right?
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Permalink Reply by Malachi on -
I agree Bro. For years I been saying its funny how both camps fight about who is right or wrong when they are both wrong. We really need to stop seeing what we want to see in GOD's Word and allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us and guide us.
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Permalink Reply by yshwa4life on
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i agree 100 percent that it's extremely dangerous to step away from what the bible teaches, especially when you're tryin to communicate it to others effectively and it takes much discipline to interpret it correctly; but some things just aren't so black and white. It's like, when you think you've got it all figured out, you find something that doesn't adhere to what you believe to be true and you need to interpret through the lens of your theology. i understand their zeal i have it too..but it's almost like the very things that they stand so firm upon become stumblingblocks to themselves, to others on the outside lookin in and to the body..
Like i said i'm not trying to create my own theology..i guess it's all just to complex for me, it's starting to make my brain hurt. The message of the gospel is simple, repent and be saved; but we can't do anything without His strength infused into our lives...it's all a work of God no matter what camp you claim.
James 3:1-5 (American Standard Version)
James 3
1 Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.
2 For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
3 Now if we put the horses' bridles into their mouths that they may obey us, we turn about their whole body also.
4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by rough winds, are yet turned about by a very small rudder, whither the impulse of the steersman willeth.
5 So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!
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Permalink Reply by Aaron Christopher Shackelford on
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man, its cool seeing people with this opinion, i feel that the term christianity is being dilluted in our modern culture, so many people think that all they have to do is say they believe in God and your going to heaven but man, this is a lifestyle, you gotta live it, you have to rep god wherever you go, its not about all these small man made procedures that only spark divisions of the church, our generation needs to set our focus on the one true God and stop letting all these distractions misguide the truth of christianity. I ran into a youth pastor from another church about a month ago and he nonchalantly dropped the f bomb like it was ok, sure, you could argue that he was just trying to be cool, but no, i think thats just pathetic, this world is crazy man, so i keep my eyes on the one true creator and that gets me through the day.
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Permalink Reply by yshwa4life on
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..no doubt my man.
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Permalink Reply by AnDraea on -
When I think of the Calvinist vs. Arminian argument, which we have had at our church many times- that age old question comes to mind "Which came first, the chicken or the egg?" LOL. I also think there is some error in both views, but there is also some truth in both of them. I think they both affirm that we must have faith in Jesus Christ and repent from sin. So I have made peace with the fact that there are true Christian brothers and sisters on both sides of the debate. My personal testimony is that I did come to a decision to repentance and have faith in Christ, but once I had faith, I realized it was God's grace working all the time.
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Permalink Reply by yshwa4life on
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amen..i've resolved that salvation howbeit thoroughly understandable is simply to wonderful to fully comprehend. ;)
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