Skip to main content

winds of change.

A seminary friend emailed a few of us, and at one point in my life I would have tried to tackle these questions head-on, but with the seasons, my thoughts have changed. Here’s what she asked:

How do God’s predestination and foreknowledge fit together?

Is God’s predestination based on his foreknowledge? Or is his foreknowledge based on his predestination?

But, I don’t see why, practically, these questions are good/important. They seem academic, and I don’t see how the answers affect my daily walk, or how they affect my ministry to others.

I suppose if you’re purpose in trying to wrap your finite mind around infinite, intangible, anagogical, abstract principles is to know and love God more, it’s worth the headache. I think there is a danger in it though, simply searching for some end or some solution as if you are going to solve the problem of God, as if God is first, a problem; and second, comprehendible to the human condition. God hides in inapproachable light.

Can that which is lesser really understand that which is greater? Suppose I claimed to be a Picasso scholar and held a forum on his paintings. Picasso is a painter; I am only a Picasso scholar. Wouldn’t people laugh at me if I tried to tell them why Picasso chose to paint this or that? How he chose his colors? Why he made this brush strokes and not that one? Why he used the size of brush he did? Etc. Of course they would. I am not a painter. I wouldn’t pretend to understand the genius that is Picasso, and Picasso is human. I don’t think I could understand his human mind, so why would I pretend to think that I could have the mind of God laid out in a nice neat floor plan as if he is some computer who must work in some certain observable and classifiable and programmable manner.

Any way, I guess I got off the topic and that’s probably a bad analogy, but I think you get my sentiments towards these issues. I think it’s healthy to interact with scripture and try to get a grand picture of the narrative, yet the fullest revelation is in Christ. I don’t think Christ talked much on these issues… if he did God didn’t think it important enough to record it in his word. P.S. Yes, I am showing my cards.

Popular posts from this blog

A response to my beloved mother: part 2

READ THIS POST FIRST MY MOTHER : "I'm a registered Conservative, but my vote counted since they endorsed McCain, so I guess it all depends on who the Libertarian's endorse, and even if it were someone difference, at least you would have had a part in voting for the "most" righteous candidate, and McCain was the one even though he's still not the Christian ideal! Remember, Bill Clinton was a "pro-choice" candidate as well as one who furthered the homosexual agenda, so it wasn't surprising to me that 9/11 happened after his term was up and it's not surprising that the economy is faltering so badly now, and it won't surprise me if Obama continues the downward spiral, even if it is into socialistic policies since that's how Europe has gone since they left off looking to God. It doesn't matter what the rest of the world is doing since the majority have been anti-God for so long and their nations have paid for that for centuries (Dark...
Read more

I don't have all the answers, but I do have two cents.

My friend and fellow recovering ex-fundamentalist , I greet you joyously knowing the freedom you have found in leaving fundamentalism, however I am saddened by your departure as a whole from our Lord. I indeed understand the hardship which you have faced is cause for questioning God’s existence, faithfulness, and love to his creation. I would like to respond to you because I feel like I understand your socio-religious background. Let me first tell you my goal is not to re-convert you, but rather to give you a second thought from one who grew up in similar roots, whose posture of faith remains bent toward the gospel. I also grew up in ultra-conservative fundamentalism. If names like Peter Ruckman, Jack Hyles, Arlin Horton, etc, mean anything to you than you will understand. I graduated from PCC. OMG. I cannot believe it, but it’s true. What a crazy place. Fear, guilt, shame, legalism were the name of the game! As long as you “caught the spirit” all of life would be good and God would b...
Read more

The Intolerance of Presbyterian Creeds

The bind between American political allegiance and Protestant evangelical conservatism is a key which unlocks the door of much early American civil history especially during the antebellum era through the early 20th century. To be conservative and American meant that you must regard a Protestant form of Christianity, namely the revivalistic, moral gospel which declared a morally conservative view of the socio-political system as king. In fact, not to be Protestant and politically conservative was in line with defaming the stars and stripes. Hart describes a situation in the early 20th century where the state of Utah elected and appointed a Mormon Apostle, Reed Smoot, to the U.S. Senate. Smoot underwent serious investigation from a Senate appointed committee to deliberate upon the ability of a Mormon to function in the place of a Senator given his religious views. The conservative Protestant ethos of the age was skeptical of any other religious conviction in its ability to be “American”...
Read more