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Five Points in Five Weeks

Five Points in Five Weeks. Unconditional Election. A Brief Review. Total Depravity We sin because we are sinners Not sinners because we sin Due to original sin: All parts of our being are corrupted Though not as bad as they might be Unable to seek God

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Five Points in Five Weeks

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  1. Five Points in Five Weeks Unconditional Election

  2. A Brief Review • Total Depravity • We sin because we are sinners • Not sinners because we sin • Due to original sin: • All parts of our being are corrupted • Though not as bad as they might be • Unable to seek God • Unwilling to seek God even if we could • Our wills won’t choose something contrary to their nature

  3. By the way…What of Very Young Children? • Arminians might argue with the idea that children are responsible for early sins • Rooted in sin as free will decision • Thus “age of accountability” • BUT • If they die before that age, how to heaven? • If because they are innocent, don’t need Jesus • But why death if innocent? • SO • Reformed see infants as elect, or minimally those of covenant parents • Only reference: David saying he would go to deceased son

  4. No Election Conditional Election Arminian Options on Election

  5. No Election • Some Christians just duck the issue altogether and deny that God elects • But this is putting your head in the sand • Election is mentioned repeatedly throughout Scripture • Honest believers can’t deny the Bible teaches election, so to protect free will, they may believe…

  6. Conditional Election • True Arminian position • Acknowledges that God elects • But on the CONDITION of foreknowledge • Romans 8:29 • This inconsistent with overwhelming biblical evidence to the contrary • And misses meaning of “foreknowledge” in the verse • It is to know in the intimate sense, not just knowing what they’ll do • Reformed response: • Since dead in trespasses (Eph 2:1) only come to Christ if Father draws them (Jn 6:44)

  7. Unconditional Election • Clearly NOT Calvin’s starting point in the discussion • Rooted in Doctrine of Providence (Book I of Institutes) • Later election developed in Book III • We’ll look to understand the former so we have perspective on the latter

  8. PROVIDENCE • Calvin and the Reformed tradition have a “big” God • In control of everything • Including decisions of humans • Stands in stark contrast to God who begs people to be saved but is unable to persuade them • And bigger than the God of open theism • For Calvin, the doctrine of providence opposes “Fortune and fortuitous happenings” (cp. Mt. 10:29-30) • “Nothing happens except what is knowingly and willingly decreed by him” • Though he often works through secondary causes • So, everything is a “God thing”

  9. Providence in Scripture • KEY: God governs all, not merely sees all: • Pertains to God’s hands, not just eyes • Waters the earth • Lev. 26:3-4; Dt. 11:13 • Feeds ravens • Psalm 147:9 • Knows every detail • Mt. 10: 29-31 • Responsible for natural occurrences (Dt. 28:22) • These are general providences • But also extends to humans • Man does not even direct his steps (Jer. 10:23) • Steps are from the Lord (Pr. 20:24) • He humbles and lifts up (Ps. 75:6-7)

  10. Providence Summed • “It is an absurd folly that miserable men take it upon themselves to act without God, when they cannot speak except as he wills” • We may not see his hand behind the scene • Nor understand the purpose • But trust he is working all things together for good • Cp. Pat Robertson story

  11. Why It Matters • Quietens our minds to know God is in control • We don’t ask God to give account to us • But submit to his will for us • De Caussaude’s notion of abandonment to Divine Providence • May be the single most important “cure” to anxiety • But can we yield our short-term interests to God’s providence • And accept what he plans over what we want • Let’s look more closely

  12. Antidote: Trusting in a Provident God • Many Christians are ill-equipped for this, having rather small views of God • God as “Santa Claus” to give us whatever we want • The “God who risks” who doesn’t really control the future in particular ways • God as severely limited by human free will • In contrast, if God is sovereign over all • We have absolute hope for all future contingencies • And have reason to trust our Heavenly Father to take care of us • We need not try to wrest control from the One who has it and promises to use it for our good • Let’s break this down a bit

  13. What Does It Mean that God is Sovereign? • Romans 8:28 implies that God works every detail of a believer’s life to the believer’s good and God’s glory • Move to seeing our faith as pursuit of Gods’ glory, not our own security • Changes view of suffering to inevitable in pursuit of our goal • Athletes assume some sweat and pain in pursuing victory • All this is still consistent with human freedom (compatiblilism) • this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. (Acts 2:23 ESV)

  14. Five Aspects of Providence • Exhaustive divine foreknowledge (He knows our free will decisions and has planned in anticipation of them) • Divine control (He knows how the world will go) • “declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,” (Isaiah 46:10 ESV) • Our “free will” decisions cannot undermine his purposes • Divine purpose: • All things work together for His glory • “The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; he turns it wherever he will.” (Proverbs 21:1 ESV) • Suffering is accepted in light of its purpose • Divine sovereignty over evil • Recall Joseph saw brothers intending evil but God intending good • It is a benevolent providence • Important as many persons see God’s as powerful, but as out to get them • Or as just not able to stop bad things from happening

  15. Five Implications from Providence • Humility: • we are not in control and do well not to imagine we are or work things to garner control inappropriately • Courage: • we look to future knowing our “team” wins and all in our live serves this lofty goal • Hope: • God is faithful and will fulfill his promises • Patience: • biblical virtue of “waiting for the Lord” • Faith: • Letting God be in control knowing He will work it out • Even though He will “work us out” through trials, they should bring joy (James 1:2-4)

  16. Jansenist (Catholic “Calvinism”) Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) French Scientist and Catholic I ask You neither for health nor for sickness For life nor for death But that You may dispose of my health and my sickness My life and my death For Your glory You alone know what is expedient for me; You are the sovereign master; Do with me according to Your will Give to me or take away from me, Only conform my will to Yours

  17. Pascal’s Prayer, Cont. • I know but one thing Lord, • That it is good to follow You, • And bad to offend You. • Apart from that, I know not what is good or bad in anything. • I know not what is most profitable for me • Health or sickness • Wealth or poverty, • Nor anything else in the world • That discernment is beyond the power of men or angels • And is hidden among the secrets of Your providence, • Which I adore, • But do not seek to fathom.

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