Originally from: Brian Hennessy
Hi Graham (and Joe) – Glad my “Kingdom” and “land” post made sense. But I can see by your recent post, Graham, that several of the phrases I used concerning “chosen-ness” raised another issue – namely predestination. Which has certainly been one of the biggest “hot potatoes” in Christian theology. Since you asked for it straight I’ll give you my take on it.
Ironically, I was just reading in Romans 9 this morning, which for me gets to the heart of the issue. As I have come to understand it, the Lord decided before the world began who are His; who will be considered sons of Abraham and sons of God. That, “it does not depend on the man who wills, or the man who runs (works), but on God who has mercy.” Which is another way of saying that we really don’t have any free will… That is always God's will that prevails, “in order that God’s purpose according to His choice might stand.” We see that demonstrated clearly in the choosing of Isaac over Ishmael and Jacob over his twin Esau (before either had done anything good or bad). Paul even brings up Pharaoh as an example of someone who was deliberately hardened by God to act out a preordained role for the glory of God.
Paul then anticipates and answers the question, ”Why does God find fault for who can resist the will of God?” And he answers, “who are you O man who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, why did you make me like this?” And goes on to explain that the potter has the right to make every pot the way he wants it. Some for common use, and some for honorable use. Which is not far from Shakespeare’s comment that “all the world’s a stage and all the people actors.”
Paul also confirms that viewpoint in Ephesians 1:4, 5, when he says that “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, …He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself according to the kind intention OF HIS WILL…” Remember too, Jesus said, “No man comes to me unless the Father draws him.” One of the mistakes Christianity has taught in my opinion is to say that we have the free will to choose Christ. I believe that contradicts Scripture and sets us off on a dangerous misunderstanding. Rather He chose us and then at the right time imparted the grace needed to respond to Him and receive Him as savior. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” (Eph 2:8)
That is how God is able to handpick the descendants of Abraham, which the Bible also calls the “elect of God.” When you ask what about those who are not elected, who are not chosen, you open up another hot potato. I have come to believe that there will be a universal reconciliation after all is said and done. That all will eventually be saved, although there will be levels of reward. That is to say those human beings chosen to be vessels of wrath will NOT spend eternity in hellfire. I base this on several Scriptures, such as Romans 11:32: “For God has shut up all in disobedience that he might have mercy on all.” And again in Romans 4:18 Paul says, “So then as through one transgression (Adam’s) there resulted condemnation to ALL men, even so through one act of righteousness (the cross) there resulted justification of life to ALL men.”
Also to take the broad view, it does not seem consistent with a loving God to create people to play the role of sinful opposition to God’s will (as Pharaoh) and then condemn them to an eternity of torture. What’s more, if Jesus came to save the lost, Satan will have the last laugh because more humans will go to hell than to heaven.
So we see that the issues of predestination, free will and hell all come into question in this discussion. I realize many of my positions directly challenge traditional Christian teaching on those subjects. I’m not saying I have the final answers. I’m just sharing where I’m at right now.
Was that direct and candid enough?
Blessings, Brian
