Calvinism
Posted on June 10, 2010 by Buddy Champion
One of the hot topics among Southern Baptist is the view of our salvation known as Calvinism. These thoughts are not intended to be a theological dissertation (of which there are many) of Calvinism or an argumentative thesis explaining why I am troubled by this becoming so prevalent in our churches. It is just a few thoughts to consider as your reflect on your views.
Unfortunately, throughout those years the adherents of the differing positions battled rather than working together as brothers and sisters in Christ. Each side holds to the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith: God the Creator is the only true God, His Son Jesus gave His life as payment for the sins of people (no one is saved apart from this Divine payment), Jesus was resurrected from death, God’s Holy Spirit lives in each believer today, believers must obey the instructions of God as taught in the Bible, the Bible is authoritative as the inspired Word from God, each believer is responsible for sharing the good news of Christ’s atoning sacrifice, God will end human history and bring all believers to live with Him eternally. These common beliefs should be enough to pull the sides together for Kingdom work but this is often not the case. When theological debate begins to divide, a red flag should be raised. I have many friends that hold to the “Calvinistic” view of salvation and they, of course, are wonderful people who love and serve the Lord with all their hearts.
As it relates to this subject, I am personally always brought back to my understanding of God’s nature and character. In other words: Do I think that God would create a life and then condemn it to hell for eternity?
With any subject, you can look at different verses of scripture that seem to indicate various things. I will share a few of them before I close that indicate to me salvation is available to everyone and God desires for everyone to have a personal relationship with Christ. “Proof texting” can be used in all subjects and can be debated until this life is over. As I study the existence and torment of hell it is hard for me to believe that our loving Father, who has created all of us for a relationship and provided His only Son as a sacrifice would freely and willingly send someone to hell. He doesn’t! Mankind does when he rejects Jesus as the Savior of the world. Does God have a foreknowledge of who is going to say “yes” to His Son and who will not? Absolutely. He is all-knowing, but it is hard to see Him condemning someone to hell regardless of their desire to walk with Christ.
Here are a few verses to consider:
Romans 1:16 (NIV) I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
1 John 2:2 (NIV) He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
John 3:16 (NIV) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
We could go on for awhile but you get the point. I personally wouldn’t encourage anyone to lose a lot of sleep over something that can be so easily argued from various points. I would ask that you to evaluate your love and concern for the lost! How many people have your led to the Lord in recent days? Do you live your life in light of a lost world that needs to hear the message of Christ? Regardless of your views of how we come to Christ…we must all share Christ with the world!