Well here's part 2 of the post about election. Well actually I guess this is part 1 as far as election goes since we've established that the last past had little to nothing to do with election (the U of tulip) but instead had more to do with the T of tulip, total depravity.
The second part probably isn't going to be very theological at all, but more personal. One of the biggest problems a lot of people have with election is that it demotivates people from preaching the Gospel. After all, if God has elected someone then that person will be saved. Whether or not I preach the Gospel to them has no effect on the fact that they are called by God.
The obvious answer to that is that, hello, GOD TOLD US TO PREACH! Evangelizing shouldn't be about whether people get saved anyway, it should be about obeying the command of God. So, really, why do we even think about election in this aspect?
The reality is, however, that we do. I know I do all the time. So my question is, what do you guys do when you don't feel like evangelizing (whether it's b/c you lack motivation, you're being lazy, fear of man anything.) Any answer will help since evangelizing isn't my strong suit.
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Roses are red
Violets are blue
Tulips without L's
Are heretics too
Please don't be upset at my profound gift of humor. If you didn't laugh, well, I did when I wrote that.
I enjoy reading your blog and I cannot wait to get back down to Florida. Also, I posted on two other blogs if you noticed (clicks, and part 1 of this.)
Well, allow me to first ask you a question. Do you believe the Bible teaches Election and Free Will or just election?
Joe,
I can't speak for Jake, though I think he'd be with me on this one. We believe the bible teaches election, and man's responsibility. I would be a bit concerned with using the term free.
will
Alright, so two scenarios that I'd like to use for you to clarify for me:
1. The VT shooting. Did God ordain tha to happen or did the dude chose to do it or both?
2. The guy who rapes a girl? Same question, did God ordain that?
I think that it is clear in scripture that God is sovereign over everything (including, in this case, the Virginia Tech shooting.) I also think it is clear in Scripture that the shooter will be held responsible for murdering the students and w/e other sins he is guilty of. I don't really know if I should give a defense of this because I don't really know whether you agree or not :-).
Ok, but did God ordain that murder to happen or did he give the man the opportunity to chose?
Joe
I think first we need to clarify what ordain means. If by dictionary terms you mean "To order by virtue of superior authority; decree or enact" or better perhaps "To prearrange unalterably; predestine" then yes, my opinion is that God prearranged unalterably that this would happen. However, it does not negate the fact that the killer is being held responsible for his sin, and his choice to sin. I also would struggle with "free will", because an unbeliever is in bondage to sin, and therefore will almost always choose to sin except for common grace. Ahhhh...the beauty of the mystery of God's sovereignty.
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