Pay attention to T.D. Jakes's remark at 0:23: "I think Jesus is the product." No, Jesus is not a product, He's our Lord and Savior.
It's pretty shameful that many, particularly, in Evangelical circles, have fallen into this trap of trying to be pitchmen for Christ. This is a topic which the guys at "the White Horse Inn" address.
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Monday, August 24, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
The Problem of Free Will: Do We Choose God, or Did He Choose Us?
There was an interesting story about a month or so ago in "the Christian Post." According to the ministry "Campus Crusade For Christ," there were 1 million "decisions for Christ" in June alone. Now, this actually begs the question: do we choose God and are we saved by our "decision for Christ", or was it God who chose us and indeed saves us? Well, I guess we have no choice but to look at the Bible and what it says about Salvation and God's choice.
Concerning God's Role in Salvation:
"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 8:44)
Now, concerning predestination/election:
"And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days." (Mark 13:20)
"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:3-7)
"In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:11)
So, it seems perfectly clear that it is God who has chosen us, as Ephesians 1:4 puts it, "before the foundation of the world." Now, why did God choose some of us. Well, according to Ephesians 1:7 & 11, to bring Himself glory.
Now, I know that this will drive Arminians absolutely nuts, I think namely because they would argue that it's unfair that God saves some and not others. In fact, I used to be of that mindset. However, when it was explained to me that God wasn't under any obligation to save ANYONE, I truly feel that was God working in my heart.
Furthermore, even if the doctrine of election and predestination wasn't even addressed in the New Testament, one could make a case for God's sovereign choice just based on Old Testament precedent. I mean, if we look, all the great saints of the Old Testament like Abraham, Moses & Aaron (in fact, in Psalms 105:26explecitly states that Moses & Aaron were chosen by God), the prophets like Ezekiel, Samuel, and others were chosen by God.
So, I don't think that anyone really had "free-will" to choose God. Furthermore, given the fact that we are evil sinners, and of our father the devil, if, or until, God saves us, unrestrained "free-will" is the last thing we want.
Concerning God's Role in Salvation:
"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day." (John 8:44)
Now, concerning predestination/election:
"And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days." (Mark 13:20)
"For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30)
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:3-7)
"In Him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:11)
So, it seems perfectly clear that it is God who has chosen us, as Ephesians 1:4 puts it, "before the foundation of the world." Now, why did God choose some of us. Well, according to Ephesians 1:7 & 11, to bring Himself glory.
Now, I know that this will drive Arminians absolutely nuts, I think namely because they would argue that it's unfair that God saves some and not others. In fact, I used to be of that mindset. However, when it was explained to me that God wasn't under any obligation to save ANYONE, I truly feel that was God working in my heart.
Furthermore, even if the doctrine of election and predestination wasn't even addressed in the New Testament, one could make a case for God's sovereign choice just based on Old Testament precedent. I mean, if we look, all the great saints of the Old Testament like Abraham, Moses & Aaron (in fact, in Psalms 105:26explecitly states that Moses & Aaron were chosen by God), the prophets like Ezekiel, Samuel, and others were chosen by God.
So, I don't think that anyone really had "free-will" to choose God. Furthermore, given the fact that we are evil sinners, and of our father the devil, if, or until, God saves us, unrestrained "free-will" is the last thing we want.
The Problems of Modern Evangelism
Paul Washer addresses the problems that have often arisen with contemperary evangelism in America, including the creation of false converts and the giving of a false gospel.
"Paul Washer on inviting men to Christ"
Paul Washer makes an EXCELLENT point at 3:33 in the below video ("The Psychological Manipulation of the 'Invitation'")about Jesus usually saying something that results in people leaving. If we look at John 6:26, after feeding the 5,000 men, Jesus tells the crowds that: , "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves." I paraphrase it as: "you're only following me because I fed you." If you look then, further, in John 6, He tells the people that "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)After teaching them that He was the bread of life, that whoever eats his body and drinks His blood, and that it is the Father's work to draw them to Christ, we are told in John 6:66 that: After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him."
"The Psychological Manipulation of the 'Invitation'"
Pastor Jim McClarty of Grace Christian Assembly in Smyrna, TN, takes a more "tounge & cheek" approach to the same point that Paul Washer is making in "The Psychological Manipulation of the 'Invitation,'" in the video: "Theology Matters in our Gospel Call"
Pastor Jim McClarty,
"Paul Washer on inviting men to Christ"
Paul Washer makes an EXCELLENT point at 3:33 in the below video ("The Psychological Manipulation of the 'Invitation'")about Jesus usually saying something that results in people leaving. If we look at John 6:26, after feeding the 5,000 men, Jesus tells the crowds that: , "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves." I paraphrase it as: "you're only following me because I fed you." If you look then, further, in John 6, He tells the people that "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst." (John 6:35)After teaching them that He was the bread of life, that whoever eats his body and drinks His blood, and that it is the Father's work to draw them to Christ, we are told in John 6:66 that: After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him."
"The Psychological Manipulation of the 'Invitation'"
Pastor Jim McClarty of Grace Christian Assembly in Smyrna, TN, takes a more "tounge & cheek" approach to the same point that Paul Washer is making in "The Psychological Manipulation of the 'Invitation,'" in the video: "Theology Matters in our Gospel Call"
Pastor Jim McClarty,
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