This Week in Calvinism - May 9, 2008
What do Calvinists and Arminians want to preserve?
Vince R. on humility and what some call "Calvinism".
Jason Stellman shares his thoughts on the doctrine of the two kingdoms, focusing on theocracy and exile.
Tim Challies reminds us that all men are equal down at the cross.
Ross Middleton asks, "Shouldn’t our theology line up with our worship of God?"
Does God display his glory by "seeking relation with every person in his creation"? John Mark Hicks thinks Calvinism "leaves us with a God whose ego is greater than his love." Let me respond with a question of my own: How is God glorified through his own failure? If he seeks a relationship with every single person and doesn't achieve a relationship with every single person, then that means he has failed, and failure on God's part is in no way glorifying. If, however, he is the one choosing, drawing, saving, and preserving, then he alone receives the glory. We are not equal to God, so it makes no sense to imply that God is egocentric because he holds himself in higher regard than he holds us. There is a HUGE difference between creature and Creator.
Love this "week in Calvinism" thing each week. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI am a bit confused by the Hicks comment (his, not yours). "A God whose ego is greater than His love"? If "ego" is defined as "the 'I'" and God's love is part of His nature, then His ego would indeed be greater than His love. If "ego" is defined as "self-importance" and God is the singularly important Being in the universe, then it would again follow that His ego would be greater than His love. In other words, if God is who He says He is, then isn't it a given?
The Bible teaches that sometimes God's will is not fulfilled for people's lives. This is not "failure," for love is not measured in "success" or "failure" as if it were a match of wits or a matter of power. God's glory and love do not depend upon man's response or even man's existence. If every single man rejected Him, His love would still shine gloriously and unfailingly in the face of such rejection.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with Calvinism is that it reduces God to having no attribute but power, and then it tries to understand love from that warped perspective. God's love is never defeated; it is only declined.
I left Calvinistic churches. This is one of the reasons. The first commandment is Love God. Yet the Calvinist is obsessed with glory. Why? People with big egos usually end up in this movement. I have never seen pastors with bigger egos. It is their ego that makes them think God is like them! They must look good, so God must be the same way. Just a thought from what I have observed.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous, you must not have observed very closely. Sure, there are arrogant men and women who call themselves Calvinists, but since when do we judge truth based on human behavior? Look to scripture.
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