The topic of predestination is the most controversial topic among Christians. I dislike discussing this topic very much because it is never a resolvable debate. When I heard that we had to write a book report on a book about predestination I decided to get all of my opinions and thoughts about predestination out of my head and on paper. I am a three point Calvinist. As far as the 5-point diagram of Calvinism is concerned, I personally believe in three-fifths of the five points. The five points of Calvinism is best described in the acronym T.U.L.I.P. This stands for Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints. I believe total depravity because man is inherently evil. I believe in irresistible grace because God’s grace is irresistible and there is enough of God’s grace for everyone. Lastly, I believe in perseverance of the saints because as Christians, it is important that we persevere in out walk with the Lord. In his book Chosen But Free, Geisler combines both Arminianism and Calvinism. Calvinism states that God already chose who will be in heaven with him and who will be in hell. Calvinism talks about how God has already determined the fate of every man and no man has a say for his own soul. Arminianism is the exact opposite of Calvinism. Armininianism talks about how man has a free choice for everything. Geisler wrote his book, Chosen But Free to explain how it is necessary to combine the two beliefs; thus man is chosen while at the same time free. I think Geisler wrote this statement to mean that God already knows who is going to be saved but man still has a say in his future. This means that man still has to choose to follow God on his own without any encouragement from God. If man was already predetermined to become saved or not then God would receive no glory when a new convert came to the faith. Geisler talks about how living with both viewpoints we are able to make the decision to follow God on our own. However, God is omniscient and already knows who is going to but He still gives us the free will to decide to follow Christ for ourselves. In his book, Geisler states that God cannot be totally in charge of knowing whether or not we will choose to follow Him or not. If He knew then He would receive no grace whatsoever whenever a person chose to become a Christian. God also chooses not to give mankind freedom for every choice, like the Arminian point of view. God is able to control mankind in every aspect while at the exact same time He is able to give mankind the freedom of choice to follow Him or to not follow Him. When Geisler wrote his book Chosen But Free, this is what he meant. Geisler believes theology that is in a middle ground between Arminianism and Calvinism and this is what I believe because it makes the most sense.
No comments:
Post a Comment