Antioch Agent

(Continued … )It is for this very reason that i desire to pen my thoughts on this very vast subject and to put down in words the very theological questions that have plagued me. The very questions that i believe that all sincere believers have struggled with at one point of time in varying degrees. Now, I must emphatically state early on, that many better, many more learned, many more eloquant, many more spiritual men than I, would disagree with some of views here (perfectly understandable). I have a great deal of respect for my fellow brethren who are Calvinist and I am continually encouraged by their zeal for God’s word and to hold fast to it. I have (and still continue to) learned many things from them. However, i must graciously decline in embracing certain aspects of their doctrine where i am persuaded differently in scripture. Therefore, i ask for an open heart and mind as we work to consider and revisit the ‘doctrines of grace’ as taught by the Reformed school of higher thought.

Every side of the theological camp is prone to accuse the other of imposing their viewpoints into the bible and not exegeting correctly. That is understandable. Therefore may it be stated from the onset, that it is not my desire to stir up contention, but to merely remind all of us that we must be like the Bereans who “..were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11. Every side would quote the same verse and hold on to the same principles. Therefore, we must let scripture be the yard stick while at the same time not decline to hear the counsel of many godly men who have represented the different views. Also, though creeds, confessions, systems of theology may be of great value to us, they must be put under the same scrutiny and test. One of the tests is, “Is this consistent with the rest of scripture?”. It is a good hermeneutic to let scripture interpret scripture.

I am fully aware, that although some of the points that are discussed may hit at the some very raw nerves, it is necessary to be honest enough to challenge ones theological mindset (no matter how strong it is right now) and hold it under the scrutiny of scripture. I continue to learn, and have had to eat humble pie many times. I too am just coming out of what i have described as a position i held on for many many years (although not fully understanding the ramifications of it back then). It has always been my principle, that if shown soundly from scripture, that i would graciously abide to follow it. That’s what the learning process is all about. This has always been the case for every honest Christian, even as God breaks down our walls of pride and resistance by His convicting power. I pray that for all of us, we will not be won over “..with enticing words of man’s wisdom” (1 Cor 2:4) but just as Paul himself declared in 1 Cor 2:13 “Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” We too will be led to the truth by the Spirit as we compare spiritual things with spiritual. We must not be taken up by eloquence or smooth speech, but by plain reasoning from scripture. May the Lord lead and illumine His truth in our hearts under the guidance of the Spirit.

So, let me assert that i believe there must be a balance in understanding the sovereignty of God and human responsibility. Leaning too far onto any one side will invariably lead to all sorts of problems. The bible holds both truths to be true.

I fully believe in the total sovereignty of God; that God is Almighty, and as ruler over His creation and His subjects, is in complete control of all things. Nothing goes beyond His scope and knowledge, and in His omnipotence and omniscience and omnipresence, He has the full right as do as He wishes and does so for His good pleasure and glory. On the other hand, scripture clearly shows that God has sovereignly given man a will to choose. That man has a real will (though tainted by sin and the fall) to respond or to reject God’s offer of salvation, is clearly emphasized throughout the pages of holy writ. Men does have a responsibility because God has already done everything possible to remove the obstacles for men to come to him. The condition is clear, simple faith in God and His truth as revealed in His Son.

These things, we intend to discuss as time progresses unless the Lord returns sooner.