We cannot keep You in a box...

So as I sit here, I find myself in a strange place spiritually. Last night, I had a very tense, very sleep-deprived, very thought-provoking conversation with two of my housemates about Calvinism.

Let me preface the rest of my post by saying that for years, I was a staunch anti-Calvinist. For me, all that its ideology represented for me was a mean, vindictive God who stood as a Divine Puppet-Master rather than a loving Father. It has only been in the recent past that I have begun to actually research and believe the ideas set forth by John Calvin.

Let me also preface the following statements with this statement: John Calvin was a man, a human being, who was both fallible and sinful. Therefore, his ideas about God are not infallible. While I do think that a lot of what he said makes a lot of sense, God's Word (the Bible) is the ultimate authority that I look to for guidance and truth. His Word IS infallible and holds the words of life.

So, I spoke to the two men, both of whom are quite anti-Calvinist, which is fine with me. I don't think that a person's beliefs about this sort of thing affect their salvation at all. The debate became rather heated at some points, and I think both sides became frustrated with the other at times. However, I left the conversation with lots to think about, and with more respect for each guy's views than I had before. We ended up staying awake 'til around 3 AM talking about all this, so I'm quite tired as I write this. But it was totally worth it.

The conversation revolved around the notion that Calvinism presents God as a manipulative "puppet-master" who forces people to love and worship Him, while forcing other people to sin and journey toward Hell. This is how I, too, used to see it. I could not bring myself to believe that God chose to send people to Hell. I'm still not entirely sure what I believe about human free will (or lack thereof) and how it's juxtaposed against God's sovereignty. But here's what I do believe, based on reading God's Word:

1.) Man is sinful. Woefully so. There is nothing good in us, and we cannot make ourselves good.

(Mark 7:21, Ecclesiastes 9:3)

2.) Man does not seek God, because He is evil and there is nothing in him that would cause him to naturally want anything Godly. (Romans 3:9-18)

3.) God is sovereign, perfect, and holy. I do not think that He changes His mind, and I do not think that any human being (or anything else He's created) can resist His will. (Romans 9:14-29)

4.) Because man is sinful, cannot/will not seek God, and God is sovereign and loving, He draws people to Himself. He chooses them, and works salvation in their lives. He does not choose them because of anything He sees in them. I do not believe He chooses people arbitrarily, either. (Philippians 2:12-13)

I am hardly a theologian, and this is not a complete (or even a very good) summation of what I believe on this subject.

As I write this, it occurs to me that the whole discussion is a little silly. It is good to learn about doctrine, and it is good to talk these things out. However, this is an issue that has destroyed friendships, split churches, and scarred some people's view of God. When misinterpreted (intentionally or unintentionally), it can be used as a weapon by Satan to divide people and render the Church crippled and ineffective. (2 Timothy 2:14-16)

Regardless of whether God "elects" people or not, He is good. He is perfect, He is beautiful, and I love Him. He is flawless, and I know that He loves everyone of us, regardless of whether we reciprocate. (2 Timothy 2:13)

I do love having these discussions, even if they raise my blood pressure a little, because I come away from the with an insatiable hunger for God Word, and a desperate need to know His truth, regardless of whether it is the truth I want to hear.

Having said all that, I think it's a little funny that this topic so feared, widely researched, and constantly battled over. When it comes down to it, it's really a moot point. If Calvin's right, awesome. If Arminius is right, awesome. Either way, the point of the Gospel is this:

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners---of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason, I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. Now to the King, eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:15-17)

Grace and peace,

Cari