"Well, crying isn't gonna bring your dog back . . . unless your tears smell like dog food. So you can either sit there crying and eating can after can of dog food until your tears smell enough like dog food to make your dog come back or you can go out there and find your dog."
- Homer J. Simpson
Monday, June 1, 2009
I didn't have a choice but to lift you up. And sing whatever song you wanted me to.
-- U2, "Magnificient"
Theologically I'm not prepared to defend to death every minor point of Calvinist theology, but I've found recently the more of God's word I read, the more plainly I understand that our salvation is not our own doing. Sure, real Arminians also believe in prevenient grace, but I can't buy the idea that we have anything whatsoever to do with our eternal destination. (And for the record, I don't think Arminianism is a weak position; I simply think Calvinism carries more Biblical weight.)
For me, embracing Calvinism is embracing a paradigm-shifting thought: I'm not in control of jack squat. I can't will to do good. I can't give God a wink and a nod, saying, "Go ahead, do your stuff in me." And I certainly can't work out my own salvation with fear and trembling; it's got to be God working in me, and it is. I'm comforted knowing that what He starts He completes, and He'll perfect His work (both in me and my family) until the day of Christ JESUS (Philippians 1:6). I know that's true. I have no fear of losing salvation because it's not up to me to keep it. He will come through.
In the past I've dipped my toe into the waters of Calvinism, but I've never (I don't think) flat out said I was a Calvinist. I guess that's what I am. The theologically snooty part of me would rather be called a monergist or even an Augustinian, but Calvinist works just fine.
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Comments on "My Name Is Eric, And I'm A Calvinist":
3. nhe
- 06/01/2009 7:54 pm CDT
"Hi Eric!!!".....smattering of applause......I may have been one long enough that I can help with some of the 12 steps.........the first step is repeating after CS Lewis (5 times daily) "I don't pray because it changes God, I pray because it changes me".........I wonder how Bono would answer the "are you a Calvinist" question? Somehow I don't think the answer would be in the form of a yes or no.
6. Crossbow
- 06/01/2009 11:58 pm CDT
"I don't pray because it changes God"
That has always been a puzzling Calvinist view to me, in light of the fact that the Bible records stories of people praying and God changing His mind. Or that we are also told to "pray that they might be saved." Why? It's already been determined.
Or do people still split hairs and say that there is a difference between changing God and changing His mind on a decision He made?
I've read John Piper's writings on this, and I basically think they are pointless. You can't really pray for salvation if you believe in free will. Because for God to answer that prayer, He would have to force them to accept Him, taking away His free will. That just sounds so... stupid. So... yin/yang. If you believe that God is all knowing, then free will is no problem for you. My wife knows how to get me to go see a chick flick when I'm not in the mood for it - it has nothing to do with force or threats. How much moreso would an all knowing God know just the right chain of events to convince anyone of the Truth - their need for Him. If He has to resort to reaching into our minds and forcing us, then He can't be that all knowing. To me, it seems like Piper believes that free will is the most powerful force in the universe. If God gave it to us, He would become a second rate being. He keeps it so He can be top dog. I believe in a God that is the most powerful being ever, even if humans have free will. He is so powerful that free will doesn't phase Him one bit. If it is true. I'm not totally convinced of that. But is also all-knowing, and that means smarter than any thing free will throws at Him (once again, assuming that it exists) and will still accomplish His purposes no matter what puny human free will can throw at Him.
I also have big problems with Arminism, FYI. We just aren't talking about that. Like I told Bird, I think both Arminism and Calvinism are full of it.
(okay, now that I have insulted everyone here and talked smack about one of the Thinklings patron saints, I will take me and my big mouth and go run and hide before I get shot at....)
7. Jared
- 06/02/2009 12:13 am CDT
the more of God's word I read, the more plainly I understand that our salvation is not our own doing
True dat.
It doesn't explain everything (I suspect anybody who thinks it does), but it makes the most sense (to me) of more of Scripture than any of the alternatives I've heard.
Leave logic out for a second or "what you can conceive." What saith the Scriptures? (The whole counsel, in context.)
8. Bill
- 06/02/2009 7:07 am CDT
[Bill watches the debate from his perch on the fence, and reaches for more popcorn]
9. Bird
- 06/02/2009 7:21 am CDT
Didn't you already announce this to the world here?
I didn't think anyone actually watched those things.
12. Bob Sacamento
- 06/02/2009 10:17 am CDT
the first step is repeating after CS Lewis (5 times daily) "I don't pray because it changes God, I pray because it changes me".........
He also said, "is giving advice to God."
Just for the record, there are probably problems with seeing my hero "Jack" as either strictly Arminian or Calvinist. But he was unarguably closer to the Arminian camp.
14. Enkurio
- 06/02/2009 12:43 pm CDT
I wanted to be a Calvinist, but it just wasn't meant to be.
ROFL - thanks for that.
How about this?
Two Arminians and a Calvinist are in an elevator. First Arminian says, "Whenever I'm in the Sears Tower elevator, I like to press a button and go to a floor just to prove how free I am." Second Arminian says, "Whenever I'm in the Sears Tower Elevator, I like to jump up and down to prove I have complete control over my body." Calvinist taps the two Arminians on the shoulder and says, "Excuse me guys, this is the John Hancock."
16. shrode
- 06/02/2009 2:07 pm CDT
Crossbow,
FWIW, I've always thought it was silly for an Arminian to pray for someone's salvation. Because if there's any prayer that Arminians don't think God can answer it's that one. Because to them God already is doing everything he can to save everyone, and he's just waiting for them to make their choice.
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Congrats (I think :-)
Didn't you already announce this to the world here?