We don’t have to have it all figured out, there’s not a pop quiz at the heavenly gates and our neighbor probably doesn’t care at all, as long as we are loving!
Hans van Buren from the Netherlands, greetings and thanks for your comment. I must admit, I am a bit confused and have a few questions:
1) Did you read the article? Because the view that seems to represent your perspective is included in one of the 9 theological approaches I surveyed regarding predestination.
2) Is your main concern that I didn't present a lot of scriptures? A point of contention we will have to disagree on by the very nature of this article being a survey and not an in depth exploration of each viewpoint regarding predestination.
3) To suggest I used election and predestination as synonyms makes me question whether you read the article or if you severely misunderstood it. Your accusation is betrayed by the first paragraph and the entire format of of the article in which I define predestination and election separately for each viewpoint, on 9 different occasions, each time pointing out their differences.
4) I also don't understand the need for your sarcasm or condescension demonstrated in two examples a) "In your article on election and predestination, I find that one perspective is missing, namely the biblical one" and b) "I advise you not to seek advice from people but from God's Word." Which only leads me to more questions. Are you suggesting that anyone who believes different from you does not use scripture? In my experience, although I may disagree with certain folks, that they are often very astute in using the scriptures to arrive at their beliefs.
In the article I never state which viewpoint I hold to, thus we could be in agreement. Regardless, is your behavior a reflection of how the scriptures should lead people to act, with condescension or sarcasm when supposedly in disagreement? Notwithstanding, what does it say about someone who is so contentious or judgmental, that they would accuse someone of not reading the Bible and searching the scriptures, when they are actually in agreement?
5) Could you have misunderstood the purpose and genre of this article? If so, I encourage you to reread and reengage with a more open mind. Helpful feedback would be: clarifying if I have misrepresented a particular viewpoint, pointing out an approach I left out, or even offering reasons for why value and believe your particular approach. Illogical feedback would be to assume what I believe while emphatically stating that I've misrepresented the Bible in presenting brief explanations on how Christians have theologically and historically approached predestination.
Your explanations are always so wonderful. I really don’t know where I fall, as it is fascinating to me the depth of study.
We don’t have to have it all figured out, there’s not a pop quiz at the heavenly gates and our neighbor probably doesn’t care at all, as long as we are loving!
Dear Drexel King,
May I bring two things to your attention?
In your article on election and predestination, I find that one perspective is missing, namely the biblical one.
In the Bible, election always relates to Israel as a people, to one of the tribes of Israel, to a person of Israel, or to a city of Israel.
It is not about salvation, it entails a mission, a task; election is to service.
A few examples:
- Israel was chosen to be a light to the world;
- the tribe of Levi was chosen to serve in the sanctuary;
- David was chosen to be king;
- Jerusalem was chosen to be the city of the Great King;
- Paul was chosen to be an apostle to the Gentiles.
Election always has to do with a mission, a service.
But I cannot name anyone in the Bible who was chosen for salvation.
If we keep this in mind, then God's Word comes into its own.
- God our Saviour will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1Tim 2.4
- He is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2Pet 3.9
- He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Ezec 33.11
and so on.
The gospel offers salvation as a free gift for everyone.
This does complete justice to God's love and man's responsibility.
The second is that you use election and predestination as synonyms.
However, in the Greek text of the New Testament, they are different words with different meanings.
I advise you not to seek advice from people but from God's Word.
As the believers in Berea did; they searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17.11
Warm greetings,
Hans van Buren,
The Netherlands.
Hans van Buren from the Netherlands, greetings and thanks for your comment. I must admit, I am a bit confused and have a few questions:
1) Did you read the article? Because the view that seems to represent your perspective is included in one of the 9 theological approaches I surveyed regarding predestination.
2) Is your main concern that I didn't present a lot of scriptures? A point of contention we will have to disagree on by the very nature of this article being a survey and not an in depth exploration of each viewpoint regarding predestination.
3) To suggest I used election and predestination as synonyms makes me question whether you read the article or if you severely misunderstood it. Your accusation is betrayed by the first paragraph and the entire format of of the article in which I define predestination and election separately for each viewpoint, on 9 different occasions, each time pointing out their differences.
4) I also don't understand the need for your sarcasm or condescension demonstrated in two examples a) "In your article on election and predestination, I find that one perspective is missing, namely the biblical one" and b) "I advise you not to seek advice from people but from God's Word." Which only leads me to more questions. Are you suggesting that anyone who believes different from you does not use scripture? In my experience, although I may disagree with certain folks, that they are often very astute in using the scriptures to arrive at their beliefs.
In the article I never state which viewpoint I hold to, thus we could be in agreement. Regardless, is your behavior a reflection of how the scriptures should lead people to act, with condescension or sarcasm when supposedly in disagreement? Notwithstanding, what does it say about someone who is so contentious or judgmental, that they would accuse someone of not reading the Bible and searching the scriptures, when they are actually in agreement?
5) Could you have misunderstood the purpose and genre of this article? If so, I encourage you to reread and reengage with a more open mind. Helpful feedback would be: clarifying if I have misrepresented a particular viewpoint, pointing out an approach I left out, or even offering reasons for why value and believe your particular approach. Illogical feedback would be to assume what I believe while emphatically stating that I've misrepresented the Bible in presenting brief explanations on how Christians have theologically and historically approached predestination.
Thanks!
Dear Drexel King,
My sincere apologies if I misunderstood you.
I also apologize if my response comes across as sarcasm or condescension.
That was absolutely not my intention.
I think I may not have fully understood the meaning of your letter.
As for the view of election that I referred to as the biblical view, I don't think I can find it there.
The chapter “Corporate election” seems to come closest, but even in that view, election seems to be related to salvation.
Once again, I apologize for the confusion.