Friday, March 16, 2007
"I will choose freewill!"
Anyone who listens to '70s rock will immediately know that I'm quoting Neil Peart's classic song "Freewill", sung by Geddy Lee in his inimitable nasal wail. If you have stopped headbanging to that song and ever listened to the lyrics, you would realize that it's a song that decries those who believe in predestination and not in the freewill of man. (Yeah, Rush is one of those bands that rarely ever sings of having sex with many anonymous women.) Their lyrics are intellectual, as Peart, the main songwriter, is one. His biggest influence is Ayn Rand. Rand was a hard-core believer in the power of human freewill, besides promoting Objectivism, which is essentially capitalism extended to all aspects of one's life.
I, on the other hand, am Reformed, and so hold to the Scripture's testament to freewill. The Westminster Confession says it like this: "God from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass". No matter what you think of Westminster divines, you have to give it to them that they pull no punches. Their beliefs are on the table right before you. They clearly state here and in other parts of the Confession that God has written the story already and what he has ordained will happen.
The thing that is interesting for me, though, is that while I certainly believe this, the doctrine of predestination is one that I cannot experience presently. I can truly see the hand of God working to bring out His will in my life in retrospect. Yet, as I live from day to day, I rarely feel that I experience the blessing of predestination. I normally feel like I'm living in a world determined by freewill.
Interesting? What do you think?
I, on the other hand, am Reformed, and so hold to the Scripture's testament to freewill. The Westminster Confession says it like this: "God from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass". No matter what you think of Westminster divines, you have to give it to them that they pull no punches. Their beliefs are on the table right before you. They clearly state here and in other parts of the Confession that God has written the story already and what he has ordained will happen.
The thing that is interesting for me, though, is that while I certainly believe this, the doctrine of predestination is one that I cannot experience presently. I can truly see the hand of God working to bring out His will in my life in retrospect. Yet, as I live from day to day, I rarely feel that I experience the blessing of predestination. I normally feel like I'm living in a world determined by freewill.
Interesting? What do you think?
// posted by BLP @ 1:48 PM 
Comments:
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I THINK THAT "YOU" CHOSE TO BELIEVE IN PREDESTINATION,BUT GOD GAVE YOU THIS "FREE WILL" TO CHOOSE. SO IN EFFECT HE PREDESTINED YOU TO HAVE THE "FREE WILL" TO CHOOSE HIM AND LOVE HIM. IF YOU DON'T, HE WILL CERTAINLY PREDESTIN YOU TO HELL FOR NOT USING THIS GREAT GIFT WISELY.
# posted by 
: 9:50 PM
: 9:50 PM
Anon:
God clearly tells us in His Word (the Bible) that before He causes our change of heart there is nothing we can do to even try to believe in His Gospel. It is only after that work (of His) that we are free to do what is pleasing in His sight. Too, the Scriptures are unambiguous in describing God's complete control over all of His creation.
Therefore, from reading God's Word (not the "This Part Limits My License So I'll Ignore It" Version, or TPLMLSIIIV for short) while you are correct in that God predestines certain men to turn to Him and love Him, there is really no license on the part of the man to "choose" God. Rather, God chooses man (and most certainly not because of anything man has done to merit himself in God's eyes).
God clearly tells us in His Word (the Bible) that before He causes our change of heart there is nothing we can do to even try to believe in His Gospel. It is only after that work (of His) that we are free to do what is pleasing in His sight. Too, the Scriptures are unambiguous in describing God's complete control over all of His creation.
Therefore, from reading God's Word (not the "This Part Limits My License So I'll Ignore It" Version, or TPLMLSIIIV for short) while you are correct in that God predestines certain men to turn to Him and love Him, there is really no license on the part of the man to "choose" God. Rather, God chooses man (and most certainly not because of anything man has done to merit himself in God's eyes).
Brandon, I just want to let you know that I came by. These days, besides my routine reading, I am meditating on your paper. I thought it's very clear. By the way, thanks for the DVD I enjoyed watching.
On your posting, well... this is one of the themes I am still struggling. However, CGS is a big help to me in terms of expanding my understanding of doctrinal issues.
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On your posting, well... this is one of the themes I am still struggling. However, CGS is a big help to me in terms of expanding my understanding of doctrinal issues.
# posted by : 1:07 PM
: 1:07 PM << Home
