Sunday, August 19, 2007

Getting the L out. Part 1


One of the categories with which a Calvinist will distinguish him or herself is Limited Atonement. This is the L in the acrostic TULIP. This was probably the most difficult for me with which to deal on my way out of Calvinism.

John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. ESV

The above verse shows why a person does not stand condemned while another stands condemned. What it does not say is that a person stands in condemnation because Jesus did not die for him. By nature we are all sinful and unclean justly deserving nothing but God's present and eternal punishment.

The unanswered question is why are some saved and others are lost. The Lutheran reformer M. Luther indicated to attempt to answer that question was to be in error. Why is that an unanswered question? The Lord has not seen fit to tell us the answer. Since it is not revealed on Holy Scripture we need to leave it alone. From the American Edition of Luther’s Works 5:43-50; Luther’s Genesis Commentary, commenting on  Genesis 29:9) Much blank filling and supposing to know the mind of God goes into trying to answer it. Suffice it to say those of us to whom God has shown mercy live in gratitude and humble service to our neighbour.

Thanks be to God. †

4 comments:

LPC said...

I was a calvinist too and the L is the weakest in my analysis. I could never get to be satisfied why L as they claim is taught in Scripture. 2 John 1-2 for example is where dancing around happens.

LPC

David Cochrane said...

LPC

One thing in the mind of many Calvinist is that all scripture is about Calvinism. The approach of Calvin is from the view of a Sovereign God, which we have, not from a crucified, risen and merciful one.

David

Anonymous said...

The words of the Lord in Ezekiel are perhaps the most powerful in this regard: "I have no pleasure in the death of a sinner, but that he repent and live."

David Cochrane said...

Yes indeed Ken thanks for the reminder!