Examining Every Use of "Predestination" in the New Testament
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- Опубликовано: 6 сен 2024
- Dr. Leighton Flowers examines each and every use of the word "predestination" in the New Testament scriptures to discover if the Calvinistic interpretation has any clear support.
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Hey Dr Flowers , I was completely against you very recently but it’s was my son that made me rethink all these things. It was bc him asking on how to be saved . Calvinism made it hard for me to answer that for him. It broke my heart. I knew to say confess , believe repent and etc but he also said “what if I do that and I am not the chosen ?” That broke my heart. I said to myself how can this be right?? So I decided to study it again with a fresh new clean slated perspective. I am starting to see the truth. It’s all making more sense.
Thank you for your fair videos and representing Calvinism fairly and not bashing them and accepting them as our brothers and sisters in Christ .
What commentaries and study bibles would you recommend for me to help my son more ??
This may help
ruclips.net/video/TFf6A03ZtiY/видео.htmlsi=s4rFe2KkocOOyAw-
I really appreciate David Guzik. His complete Bible commentary is free online at Enduring Word
Well said !!
When I came out of Calvinism I was able to share the simple message of the gospel with my daughter for the first time with confidence and conviction without the unnecessary baggage of Calvinism which I find very confusing.
Thank-you soteriology101 for your continued biblical content.
I don’t understand why non-Calvinists aren’t more upset at the tenets of Calvinism. I sure do appreciate Dr. Flowers! Thank you. God bless you.
I think Calvin had much truth, but he was wrong about the Trinity, Christian capability of sinning, and infant baptism, to name just three. T.U.L.I.P was and is on target.
@@bornagainbeliever1429 Hopefully they are just playing the field. It could be God would have them do so to have a balanced faith life.
Ignorance of Calvinist theology. That is why.
We have been told not to take 1Cor 1 seriously, and instead we need to accept professing believers proclaiming, “I am of Luther, I am of Calvin and I am of Arminius.” Many unbelievers have asked me, “How can I base my life on book when you christians can’t agree on what it says?”
@@ralphowen3367how do you explain the gap between Christ and Augustine. Why did those taught directly by apostles not teach any form of tulip? Did God decree that until Augustine, the early Church would believe strongly in free will?
You are right brother. I was aggravated with you and when I first noticed your post on twitter. I disagreed with what you were stating and dove into the scripture to find a way to show you. Lol
What came about was a change to me and my understanding of scripture. I have been challenged by what you’re doing and shown more clearly through the word of God where some of my errors are. For this I am thankful for you. Let God’s truth shine in and through us by His word. I do not have it all figured out but I believe I am finally after years able to answer some that I have been dealing and wresting with. Be blessed!
thank God some people still use logic! God bless you
Be blessed brother glad the light is shining.
I blame Calvinists for the problems in my beautiful country South Africa. Our indigenous people have suffered terrible injustices and our precious Lord Jesus has been misrepresented. Now we are reaping the results of all their pain and hatred for being thought of as not worth God's indescribable love and sacrifice. I believe that anyone who accepts Calvin's doctrines simply think that they are better than anyone else. I don't think that God is impressed.!! Thank you for helping me understand this doctrine from hell. God bless you and your ministry.
True, and sad my friend 🧡. Prayers for your country, trusting in a blood stained cross for all of you, and us. God loves ❤️ you and everyone in the world 🌎
I love listening to the explanation of God's love FOR ALL
God bless you Leighton for having the patience to present the scripture evidence, over and over, that we were created free to choose. The truth is so obvious, so logical, so simple and consistent, that one has to be very patient to continually go over the evidence in scripture of human nature.
From Adam and Eve to the present time, human nature, created by God, has NEVER changed. And God's nature has never changed.
An omnipotent God CAN do anything. Our responsibility as Christians is to determine from scripture what God DID do, not to argue what God CAN do.
Love that last paragraph
Amen, Sheila Smith, Amen.
Calvinism uses a lot of "logic" to validate it's scheme. I appreciated the reasoning in this episode that shows the illogic of determinism.
Love ya Leighton! You are such a blessing to the body on this topic!
As you mentioned around the 1:13:00 mark, some of us (myself included) enjoy the long videos. As a "theology geek" who happens to be nocturnal by nature and a guards of an empty office building at night by profession, I appreciate having a series good, long fascinating videos to help me pass the time between patrols. Thank you and please keep 'em coming!
I do as well, because I listen to these while working, so a short video is actually more frustrating, because I have to keep opening the browser and switching my videos and my time tracker sometimes takes a picture while doing so. lol
@@fukukyun78 Exactly!
I agree, the longer the video the better in my opinion lol!
I, too, like the longer videos. For those that like short videos, there's a handy button that looks like this "ll", that allows you to stop at any point you want to, and pick up later, which I also like, and use a lot.
Jesus did not come to make salvation so confusing and unobtainable. Thank God I don't need to know whether I'm a semi Pelagian or not to be saved! Thank God for simple, saving faith!
The way I see the difference between Calvinists and provisioning is straight forward.
Calvinists see predestination with respect to salvation as a
" prescription," while non calvinists see it as a " description," of the saved.
A predestined salvation plan is not a predestined outcome.
@@reynaldodavid2913Jo 👍
In a nutshell: Calvinism says " Some unbelievers were predestined to believe." .... But God says, " All believers were predestined to eternal life"
@@reynaldodavid2913Jo I agree with you. God elects to be saved those who believe.
@@gregmiell3037 Do you agree with the calvinistic system?
@@SantiagoAaronGarcia No. Calvinism is sinful because it confuses the Good News of Jesus Christ...God says believers are elected to a future salvation (eternal life) based on their faith...But Calvinism says that some unbelievers are elected to believe. That is a lie! ..NO ONE IS ELECTED TO BELIEVE.
@@gregmiell3037 exactly
Amen. So beautiful. So lovely. That's our God. Thank you, Lord.
Thank you for this video. I love word studies in order to understand context better.
Im a long version geek! Thank you for your "provision"!
Amen! Thank you again, Leighton, for all the time & hard work you have invested to go through these passages of Scripture and for offering thoughtful, Scriptural insights. Passages like these can be difficult to understand without a broader context of soteriology and proper exegesis. I appreciate your patience and loving heart in studying the Scriptures. God bless!
Honest question: Do you think deep down Dr James White knows that Calvinism is at the very least a flawed systematic? He seems like a very smart guy that has delved far too deep into Calvinism to not clearly see it’s inconsistencies and flaws.
DW: No I don't think James is going to allow himself to even entertain that thought. For the non-Calvinist - the process of him doing so would serve as an indicator that James is on his way out of Calvinism. Whereas - for the Calvinist - the process of him questioning Calvinism - would serve as an indicator that that Calvinist is not elect and is thus predestined for damnation. And that is a devastating enough of a thought for a Calvinist - as to push his brain into a state of THOUGHT BLOCKING.
@@dw6528 this is precisely why I don’t understand the logic behind Calvinist apologists. I can understand Christian apologists who are Calvinist to some extent, but to actually defend and attempt to persuade others of the Calvinism part of Christianity seems logically self defeating.
@@ChristianZangief DW: It has to do with the belief in Determinism.
Determinism - as a belief system - for both the Atheist Determinist and the Theological Determinist (aka Calvinist) is a belief system - which one cannot be logically coherent with - and still retain a sense of human normalcy.
Atheist Determinist and Theoretical physicist Sean Carrol explains
-quote
Every person (aka Determinist) in the world, no matter how anti-free-will they are, talks about people *AS-IF* they make decisions."
"Stephen Hawking
-quote
I believe Determinism is true. But I've come to realize I have to live *AS-IF* Determinism is false. (Q&A Oxford, Lady Mitchel Hall)"
"William Lane Craig
-quote
Determinists recognize that they have to act *AS-IF* they have option(S) to weigh, and can decide on what course of action to take.
"John Calvin
-quote
“Hence as to future time, because the issue of all things is hidden from us, each ought to so to apply himself to his office, *AS-IF* nothing were determined about any part.” (Concerning the eternal predestination of god)"
You see the pattern here?
The Calvinist is taught to hold Determinism as TRUE - while treating Determinism *AS-IF* it is FALSE - in order to retain a sense of human normalcy.
No one can live *AS-IF* every impulse that comes to pass within his brain - is determined by antecedent factors outside of his brain's control.
That is why Calvinists are forced to treat their own doctrine *AS-IF* it is FALSE
And that is why Calvinist language - is noted as a language of DOUBLE-SPEAK.
Yes
@@mitchellcollins7370 DW: Cool! :-]
προορδιζω contains the root word for where the English language gets “ordained” from. He has “fore-ordained” many things but he doesn’t override a persons personal decisions that he was already aware of before he created the universe. GOD simply knew what decisions everyone would make since the beginning of time and built his plan for salvation around both their decisions and his own. This is actually a very simple concept to understand. This is why Calvinists only use certain translations, they only want a Bible translation that agrees with them even though the underlying text does not agree with them
Thanks Leighton!
Another gem for theology geeks!
The totality of Scripture constantly presents God providing "if/then" ultimatums to individuals who are culpable for their decisions, and predestination is no different in that.
But Calvinism seems to have repurposed the idea of predestination into a divine determinism soteriology that allows them to wedge in the concept of election or "the salvation lottery".
We do a good job muddying up clear concepts and passages, don’t we?
The fortress example Leighton gives around 26:00 appears so many times in Scripture. Noah’s ark, Lot being warned to flee the destruction of Sodom, the Passover, the Bronze Serpent in the Wilderness, over and over again. Why would the Lord put so much emphasis on choice and send prophet after prophet to remind you to choose, if you don’t have the ability to choose?
@@reynaldodavid2913Jo then why use the word choose at all? If neither the elect nor the reprobate have an authentic ability to choose, why doesn’t the Bible use the word cause?
Excellent points, Chelsea! All of the New Testament epistles would become quite worthless if personal conviction, choice, repentance, etc. were not integral to our walk of faith. On the day of Pentecost, after Peter's sermon compelled them, the men of Judea and Jerusalem were cut to the heart and asked, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Ultimately, that's the result of the Gospel message: you must choose one way or another, to submit to Christ or to reject Him.
I'm guessing it's a predestinated work of the devil that he is able to keep so many calvinists blinded to The Truth in the face of Leighton's brilliant teachings.
I thank God that i have never been a calvinist or even ever entertained their deterministic worldview, but now i confess to starting to despise calvinists (even respectful ones) who listen to Leighton's clear teachings but stubbornly hold onto their obviously erroneous exegesis. Help me Lord to be more loving toward these blinded folk, even as Jesus went to the cross for them also, that they may have the free choice to misinterpret His Word.
Your prayers appreciated, dear saints, as i struggle with resisting to forgive these blinded saints.
I wouldn't be so quick to assume that every Calvinist knows Christ. Would you make that assumption about every Methodist, or Anglican, or Lutheran? Calvinists are far down the road to apostasy, and that assumes they ever knew Christ.
@PETER JOHN BRANDAL
Hi Peter
Is calvinism a denomination?
So far the few calvinists i've gotten to know love Christ deeply. I assume, by extension that they all do. But since apostasy seems to 'rule' our day, as indeed Jesus said it would, then, sadly your 'guess' probably has much merit.
In that case, can we lump together all those who think they are following our Master but who, in reality, are completely blinded or misled?
And may You have mercy on them Lord, as You do on us, and free them from error, pride or any other condition that holds them off the Narrow Way. In Jesus' Name, amen
Another 2 hour Theology Geek session!!! Yes!! 🥳🤩
This was super helpful. Thanks Mr. Flowers
I'm not a Calvinist and have so many problems with it. You're helping me explain what I believe. However, I'm not an Arminian either, I have problems with that frame of thinking also. I'm just a bible believing Christian. I agree and disagree with both my Arminian and Calvinist friends. I'm in the middle and stand with the bible. I believe as the Holy Spirit has revealed to me. I do struggle with some verses but simply leave it to Deut 29:29 (summed up) "I have told you what you need to know the rest is mine" ~God. He will reveal to me as I go what I need to know. I still hold my stance that God wants Unity not Uniformity in the church and some things are not worth fighting over and some are. I have both A&C friends that I feel I have no doubt are saved and are Heaven bound. I've met Catholics that are the same way. Do I agree with Catholicism? No way, not at all. But there are some in that teaching that are actual Christians (reference fruit). Will I share what I know with all of these people? Yes, absolutely. But I will not shun them or push them away from Christ. Thank you for your video. Again, as I said, you're helping me to explain what I believe. I know what I believe and sometimes I can't find the words to explain it.
It was Paul's desire to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery. Ephesians 1:9. He preached Jesus Christ according to the mystery. Romans 16:25
These mysteries were hidden in God, not hidden in Scripture but hidden in God since the world began. Jesus did not teach them, Peter James and John did not teach them. They were revealed first to Paul for the Gentiles after Israel rejected their King and Messiah.
Where most theological doctrines go wrong is by ignoring these mysteries and somehow make themselves "spiritual Israel," as if Peter and James were writing to them.
God had a very specific purpose for Israel (still has this purpose for a specific chosen generation) but they fell and so salvation came to the Gentiles. Romans 11:11. Many who ignore these mysteries subscribe to replacement theology, thinking the "church" has replace Israel. But Paul also covers this in Romans 11:25 that Israel's blindness is only until this Dispensation of Grace is over. That 70th week of Daniel was interrupted by this Dispensation and will not resume until this Dispensation is over. Paul's writings are the only place to find the answers to why the Kingdom has not yet come to earth as prophecy told it would.
Study to show yourself approved unto God, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. Line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little.
The Holy Spirit will show you things if you are in fact studying to show yourself approved unto God. Too many Christians study to show themselves correct in their beliefs or approved unto men. But what are they "rightly dividing" between? And why are so few even acknowledging these mysteries? Colossians 2:2
@@bugsocsollie1694 Agreed. In the studying to show yourself correct there is a great danger in studying the truth right out of scripture. When I pray over these kinds of topics and study, I pray that God will correct me in where I need correcting. I don't pray to be shown how to argue or to show me proof I'm right. Knowing the truth is all you need. And relying on God for that truth is the only place to get it.
@@woodandwheelz Amen! Arminianism is just another form of Calvinism right along with dispensationalism or any other man made “ism.” Steer clear of all these false doctrines and seek God!
Arminianism is not the opposite of Calvinism … (commonly held error) and Arminius considered himself to be Reformed in his theology! There is little difference between the Prevenient grace of Arminianism and the Irresistible grace of Calvinism! The thing which connects the two is that neither is mentioned in scripture! They are both constructs of their respective theologies!
@@climatematters6632Grace which is required to "go before" salvation (= prevenient grace: grace that goes before) : Jesus said we can't come to Him, unless we are drawn by the Father. But He also said that if He was lifted up (on the cross), He would draw all men to Himself. Since all men do not come to Jesus, drawing cannot be irresistible. And I don't see a person's of the Trinity problem here. Jesus would just say that He and the Father are one. Jesus wouldn't draw anyone dishonestly, with a grace that wasn't quite enough, or a drawing that wasn't quite as effective as the Father's.
Amen and Amen and Amen....God is a redeemer. Please start using that word when you talk about the result of Joseph, etc. God redeemed what his brothers did..etc. It's a biblical word and Calvinists might hook on to that. Love you and your ministry.
Lest we forget...not only is the Calvinist inconsistent with logic, but more importantly they are inconsistent with Scripture. I have found less success in arguing based on logic and more success arguing based on what Scripture actually says. Thought I'd just post this because I know I sometimes focus on the logical aspects of determinism more than the Scriptural ones. Thanks everyone and great work as always Dr. Flowers!
Thanks for the video. Excellent work!
You know for these so called Calvinist,instead of the buddy system they need to believe the scriptures only and then straighten out the buddies!!! Amen!!Great job flowers!
Without fail, every Leighton Flowers video deals a death blow to Calvinism. This time around the 8 minute mark the hammer was raised and dropped all in the same minute. "Is God bringing about his decrees to clean up his own mess." Poor Calvinist......and Leighton is just getting started. Find that rock and climb under it for at least another 75 mins.
Leighton's videos indeed deal death blows to Calvinism, which no rational, thinking person can deny. The trouble is that many Calvinists are NOT rational, thinking people, and since they are used to believing false, illogical, self-defeating teachings, they naturally resort to using false, illogical, self-defeating arguments to try to explain away the death blows Leighton deals their system again and again. The good news is that not all of them are so far gone that they can't eventually see what they were blind to before. Leighton himself is an example of a Calvinist who saw the light and left the system. Another, more recent example is RUclipsr Alana L, who was recently a guest on one of Leighton's videos.
What has encouraged me with the calvinists irrationality being exposed is when an orthodox jewish rabbi, atheist , philosopher point these inconsistencies / absurdities out.
Then, all this brother /sister , in house , secondary issues jargon is not considered and the calvinist /reformed systematic and or person is confronted.
Prov 20:24 - Man’s goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?
Man's good and evil goings are of the LORD?
@@Alan-hw1npYou're wrong: God is not the author of evil.
@@LindsayJackel
Define “author”.
Thank you. This helped confirm a few things for me that Ive held as arguments against Calvinism.
Good points Dr. Flowers! It gives clarity to this word and it's meaning in these passages. i appreciate your ministry very much! May our Lord continue to bless you brother!
@@kgar5String "Irresistible grace" is nowhere around, either. There is only one justifiable reason to hold us responsible for unbelief, and that is that we are responsible. We are responsible for refusing the grace God gives us, as much as we refuse it. That is what the Bible teaches, all over the place, from Genesis to Revelation.
Of course, God is responsible for presenting His grace to us. God is responsible for the gospel He requires us to believe. But by reason of the fact that we know He is holding us responsible for believing, making use of the grace to believe that He gives us, we know that He is sincere that He would have all men be saved, and to come unto a knowledge of the truth. Not all the sovereignty in the universe would make a God unjust or a liar. In fact, it doesn't. He can be believed with childlike, trusting faith, because of the kind of God He is.
Thank the Lord for your service brother may our Heavenly Father bless your ministry and life
If God determines everything, what is the role of Satan within calvinism?
Excellent question. According to Determinism and Calvinism, Satan is only doing what God decrees/causes him to do. In other words, he's merely doing God's will.
Excellent teaching. I shared it on Facebook and sent it by text to several people.
Hah. Dr. Leighton flowers!
Gotta say Only bit me for a year and a few months. 😂
Truly Love ya brother. Thanks for pulling me up to the air.
You’re a blessing.
God bless you and yours sir.
I did a pretty extensive overview of Roman 9 and why it teaches that election is inclusive, redemptive and expansive which is the total opposite of what Calvinists teach. If anyone with a theological bent would like to watch and give feedback I'd be truly grateful!
I got saved in a Pentecostal church twenty seven years ago. Most of those Pentecostals were insane
I have an exceptional take on Romans 9 I've not heard anywhere else. I'd be curious to know what yours is and see what may align
@@contemplate-Matt.G a lot of the Corinthians were also a bit nutty lol
I’ll check out your channel thanks for sharing!
@@TheSanePentecostal RUclips deleted everything I put on there years ago so there's nothing to see there
@@TheSanePentecostal I'm almost finished with a book labeled "Jacob and Esau", the inheritance
I love your long videos! I listen to them after you’ve made them so I can stop and start as time permits.😍
I love the long videos. I am so appreciate your channel.
Regarding Eastern Orthodoxy I would recommend Andrew Louth - Introducing Eastern Orthodox Theology.
Thank you for this video. I’d be interested in one like this covering the five times Proginnosko appears.
If limited atonement is not biblical to a Calvinist, then Calvinism falls apart.
According to the Word, no one has an excuse for continuing to propagate false attributes to God's divine nature.
For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. Rom 1:20.
Thank you for the long videos. I mourn for the current state of the SBC. I hate that so many pie in the sky theories can entrench themselves and it takes a century to deconstruct.
I feel like Calvinists have removed the Holy Spirit from the trinity and replaced him with John Calvin.
They’ve replaced Jesus with Calvin
Thank you for making this subject easy to understand!
Pride is blinding
Calvinism offers the extraordinary proposition of being able to claim understanding of something eternal which others do not, and the convenient disclaimer that you had nothing to do with it... because God 'did it to you'. This is a seduction too much for many to resist. And it is the perfect trap set by the enemy of our soul which leads to a philosophy ending in the inevitable conclusion that you cannot trust God to have your best interests in mind, personally. .... Isn't that the same lie which Satan told Eve in the garden?🤔
If Satan cannot prevent someone from salvation by believing in Jesus as the Christ, he can undermine their relationship with the father while here on earth, the restoration of which Jesus came to make possible. It's the next best thing as far as he's concerned.
The problem with Calvinism is not whether or not a Calvinist can be saved. Of course, anyone who affirms the virgin birth, sinless life, willing sacrificial death as payment for sin, and resurrection of Jesus can believe this unto their own salvation and be saved. But, Calvinism casts a perpetual doubt about whether one is 'truly' picked for salvation personally. Since no one knows for certain who Calvin's 'elect' are and, by definition, no one can, even the man in the mirror is never sure, for sure.
If you have any doubt that God's love for you is real, or that your love for him (which, in Calvinism, is only the result of God's eternal decree and not of ones own choosing) is lasting.... there is no basis for trust. Perfect love casts out fear, but if the love is not genuine, there is no escaping the fear. Calvinism offers no assurance of God's love for any one person.
It's quite telling that Apologisa street evangelists never, ever present their Calvinist theology.
It's not a seller for Christian conversion or recruitment....and the Calvinists know it.
Who would join a church that teaches that one group is condemned and the other is saved as designed by God from the beginning? Not an effective recruitment strategy and the calvinists know it.
Get them in, then slowly give them the bad news of...." Oh, by the way, you may not be the elect," and there is no way to know and nothing you can do about it.
Recruitment numbers would be ZERO.
I think what you all seem to miss is, predestination is from the perspective of God's knowledge. We need to understand that God is good and would not turn away anyone who truly believes. That does not negate the fact that God foreknew those are saved. It is God's nature to be omniscient. Calvinists won't present that in evangelism because what we are called to do is call men to repentance, which does not deny the fact that the Bible teaches that He foreknew, like Romans 8:29 and some others.
How does any calvinist determine that he was appointed by God to be saved. How does he know for certain? Who told him he made the grade?
Themselves.
I have a very theological question. Is it a Texan thing to say "on" instead of "in". As saying, "...by divine decree, on Calvinism", instead of "in Calvinism". I've lived in only northern states and have never heard "on" used that way. Just wondering.
Calvinist redefine and wrongly define such words in the scriptures as Predestination, The Elect, and The Chosen in their context to make their false teachings acceptable. But they have to. Calvinism is not only a perversion of Gods Word, its another Gospel, that has a Cult like following, its very dangerous. Dr Flowers love your zeal to expose that which men has perverted. It is a very serious matter. Even though many say it doesn’t matter. God Bless!
Edit: I'm not calvinist, I'm just trying to learn!
I'm still watching his videos, but I'd like to see a response to the argument "if God sees the future, He know what is gonna happen, and if it wasn't He that wrote this history... Who did???"
I'm looking for a Provisionist/Traditionalist church in Richmond, Virginia. There are several Baptist churches here, but they are in flux with interim pastors and/or women elders. I mention this in case one of your readers is familiar with the area.
Mike Winger has videos promoting PSA and Idol Killer has some arguing against it. Both are well done and generally fair; those would be good resources to check out.
Dr Flowers, I agree 100% about predestination, how do you understand verses in the epistles where it say God has chosen the weak to shame the strong? I have difficulty with verses like these.
God often uses the weak (for a given task) to humiliate the strong (David vs Goliath), but also so the weak can′t claim credit for the work done by God. When you're weak, your dependence is total.
I have been part of Calvary for 25 years, read Chuck Smiths distinctive, which there are few, and listened to countless Calvary pastors. The one thing I don’t jive with as much is their foundational idea of Major in the Majors and Minor in the Minors. They tend to take that to such and extent that they have to make room for everyone rather that clearly teach a centrist message and where extreme views go wrong.
I've previously looked at the same passages which you share and concluded that Calvin had a very poor understanding of context. In fact, I've read through parts of his writings and he tends to take a broad reading of biblical texts. These passages clearly are written either about Christ or groups of people being chosen. They do not deal with the salvation of individuals.
Who has been his councillor regarding his choosing of who is in his kingdom.
The long ones are good for cleaning the house, turn it up, clean and learn!
Thank you Leighton
I still can't understand why Calvinists see a God who totally predetermines what everyone He creates will ever experience and do, as more glorious than a God who doesn't. It seems like an arbitrary criterion, which I've never seen justified in any meaningful way.
(It would perhaps make some sense if everyone He created always did what He says He would rather they do . . like a certain someone we call Lord . . but that's clearly off the table, as everyone knows ; )
God searched our hearts,then God has chosen us(believers) and then he predestined us.
As regards the chart @13:00, it correctly lists 1 Corinthians 2:7 as God predestined to include the Gentiles among God's people, but that is also what is predestined in Romans 8 and Ephesians 1. That is very clear if you continue reading Romans 9, 10 and 11, and Ephesians 2.
I am not a Calvinist. Question: How do Calvinists know which person is one of the predestined elect? Is it because their parents are Calvinist and since one is born with Calvinist parents, you are automatically an elect? If only certain people are elect, then why should they be reaching out to the non-elect to believe in God through Jesus, knowing only the predestination elect are chosen.
Calvinists don't claim to know who is or isn't Elect. It's the blind leading the blind.
@@PETERJOHN101 thank you so much for your response.
They were preordained to believe it.
Have you looked into the audience's understanding of the concept of predestination? For Acts, this would be Theophilus, for Romans, the church at Rome, for Corinthians, the church at Corinth, and for Ephesians, the church at Ephesus. The cultural context is clearly Greco-Roman. How did the Greco-Roman mind understand predestination at that time?
A Calvinist dies and finds himself at the entrance of heaven. He sees two doors. One door said, "free will", and the other door says "predestination" He goes through the door that said. "predestination". An angel appeared to him and asked what he was doing here. He explained thst he saw the sign on the door and decided to enter. The angel told him that he couldn't be here because he used his free will to choose which door he was going to enter. So he left and went through the other door that said, "free will". An angel appeared and asked him what he was doing here. He said, "I had no choice".
@@kgar5String I am saved by faith in Jesus Christ apart from the works of the law
And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness,
Romans 4:5
Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified. Galatians 2:16
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.
Galatians 2:21
For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
Romans 3:28
Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Galatians 3:11
And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith-
Philippians 3:9
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Romans 10:4
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
Romans 3:20
Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, and brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:29-31
Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
Galatians 3:2-3
You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.
Galatians 5:4
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses. Acts 13:38-39
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
Romans 1:16-17
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:13
To Him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” Acts 10:43
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." Romans 10:10-11
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:1
And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. Galatians 3:8
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”
Romans 4:2-3
Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Galatians 3:13-14
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36
Notes on John 3:36
[When Jesus said, "whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life", He was likely referencing His command to repent and believe the Gospel in Mark 1:15 “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:15 (Repent=change one's mind. Mark 1:15 does not say, "Repent of your sins")]
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:14-15
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3: 14-16
Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
John 6:47
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. John 3:18
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25-26
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. John 12:46
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:13
But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through FAITH in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which BELIEVITH in Jesus. Romans 3:23-26
Hey Leighton.. I'm not sure whether u will get a chance to read this comment. I hope u do.. I came across "Method Ministries", who's an Arminian and I was hoping that u can invite him over at ur podcast.. He, too, is keen to hop on ur podcast. Hope u get to see this comment :)
Dr. Flowers, I'm interested in knowing what your thoughts are on John Miley's Systematic Theology, if you've read it. I was told Miley's Systematic Theology is the best non-Calvinistic systematic theology out there.
Question: what about passages that say God "chose", not just "predestined," such as Ephesians 1:4, the parable of the Potter and the clay, when God says "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy," etc? Biblical predestination is not in opposition to free will, but it is about the sovereignty of God in how He works in the hearts of fallen man and performs miracles for some but not others. Examples, God doesnt reveal himself as He did to Paul for everyone, and He says that had Sodom and Gomorah witnessed Jesus they would have repented, but He didnt give them that opportunity to know Him. I'm not invested in any 'camp,' I simply delight to know God better, and as a newish Christian studying the Word continuously my simple understanding of these texts leads me to lean calvinist. Any elders who can discuss?
Ephesians 1:4 says God chose us in Him to be holy and blameless in His sight.
This simply means that before the foundation of the world God chose those in Christ to be holy and blameless. It’s a spiritual blessing that believers have in Christ.
I’m not sure what your thinking when it comes to “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy” passage. Can you elaborate on what you think that means in regards to this discussion?
The faulty Calvinistic assumption is that God shows mercy arbitrarily and unconditionally.
It's God's prerogative to show mercy to whomever He wants, and He has decided that He wanted to show mercy to those who believe.
@@WoodrowKlassen7 To ephesians 1:4: God chose us in him... to be holy and blameless. For God to say that He chose means that we did not choose, otherwise this sentence would be either nonsense or irrelevant. We did not choose to be holy and blameless (we sin). I believe that if God intended to say "even as he chose that all in Christ would be holy and blameless," he would have done so. Instead, we have Romans 9:6-23.
I believe that Zachariah 7:8-12 shows how we all have free will, and used it to disobey God (the passage is to and about Israel, but I think all can agree that we share in their actions). I think God shows in his word that He still takes for himself a remnant, still pursues some with more intensity and miracles than others. If God revealed himself to every sinner as he did to Paul, there may be more who believe in him, but God is not to blame for their sinfulness as he chooses not to do so. Thoughts?
@@gk.4102 God chose Jacob instead of Esau before they were born. We with a human perspective might call this arbitrary, but that does not make it so. God chose the two southern tribes of Judah instead of the ten northern tribes of Israel, later called Samaria. One was not "better" than another from a human perspective, but that does not mean God's choice was arbitrary. We might not know the reason, but it is God's right to choose. Can this not also be true for when he says "many are called, but few are chosen?"
@@cdoerner224 _"God chose Jacob instead of Esau before they were born."_
Yes. He chose Jacob to be a blessing to everyone ( including Esau), not to the neglect of everyone.
_"Can this not also be true for when he says many are called, but few are chosen?"_
No, because the Bible tells us why. The Bible says that the guest came without a wedding garment (he wasn't clothed in the righteousness of Christ), hence wasn't allowed entrance even though he was called.
Everyone is called, but only those who met the condition were allowed Entrance. Hence the choice was conditional not arbitrary.
Dr Flowers thank you for your time to make videos. My belief aligns with your theology but here a question, in this video you mentioned that God uses our evil hearts for his own benefits, I believe that too, I choose to sin. You also mention that Judas was blinded to accomplish Calvary, yes I understand that it seems like he was already evil to begin with, so, if Judas was already evil and also blinded, once he sold Jesus, and Jesus got arrested, do you think God remove the blind fold off Judas’ eyes to see the true light of the Gospel?
Again thank you for all you do I really enjoy listening to your long videos. Also, getting your book “the potter’s promise” soon.
God bless you. ♥️🙌✝️🙌♥️
Good stuff! 👍🏿
Did God predestined the cross of Christ before the foundation of the world or before Adam sinned? Does God knows that Adam will sin against him? I’m following your channel and gaining lots from it. Thank you so much!
Q: what commentary could I buy that is non- calvinist???
Wouldn't it be fair to say that God being omniscient would also make Him privy in advance to our coming salvation as individuals? That said and if agreed; would also mean those names are already in the Book of Life...? So though down here still on this lowly "earth" we are journeying our way to salvation unbeknowings to ourselves the outcome yet; but of course our Heavenly Father does in fact know our choice because He is all knowing...
I would just add to my prior comment. The father knows all choices that are made.
Happy reformation day everyone!
@soteriology101, Dr. Flowers, I am just partway into this video, where you used the fortress analogy to describe predestination.
I’m wondering if these two OT examples would be valid examples also: 1) the Israelites at the first Passover, who were behind the doorposts painted with the blood were “predestined” to be saved, but anyone outside would not be safe. And 2) Rahab’s family with her when the walls fell. Whoever was with her at that time was “predestined” to be saved.
I'd like to add that if God only chose certain ppl for salvation then why is he so concerned with partiality. I'm not finding logic in calvinism in any points.
Where do you discuss explain Rom 9? Would love to hear your analysis of the chapter…
🏆🏆1:24:30 Absolutely! Again, the conflict occurs from distorting what defines salvation, biblically. Salvation occurs regarding ones belief in the virgin birth, sinless life, willing sacrificial death, and resurrection of Jesus as the Christ unto their own, personal, salvation. Other matters are not necessarily consequential to salvation. As in the case of Calvinists, one can be truly saved by virtue of what they believe about Christ, even though thoroughly confused about how it happened.🤔
Would you please elaborate a bit more on what your are saying? Now sure here.
@@ShowCat1 A Calvinist position contends those who believe in Christ were effectually caused to believe in Christ and it was predestined that they would. And once God started that process it was irresistible. A non-Calvinist contends they heard the Gospel, chose to receive and believe it, and God saved them after they believed. In the end both parties are believing in Christ unto salvation. They disagree about how it came to be.
There are some on both sides who are willing to deny salvation to the other, but I don't think they should. In both cases the focus of their argument is not about 'if' they believe in Christ and are saved, it is about how it happened. It should be accepted that they both believe in Christ which is the criteria for salvation.
Only God looks into the heart, ultimately, he alone knows what is true for any individual. It is above my pay grade and I see no benefit in having much of an opinion about whether or not another person's relationship with God is sufficient if they confess belief in Christ unto salvation.
To me, the problem with Calvinism is the implication it creates about the nature of God and his creation. What a man believes about the nature and desires of the God he worships will inevitably be acted out towards his fellow man. This is why John Calvin could approve the execution of those who disagreed with his theology without regretting his actions. He believed he was doing God a favor and just saving him the time. This is not unique to Calvinism. History is replete with similar atrocities in the name of many “religions”, Christian and Pagan alike. However, all of Christ's words and actions while here on earth as recorded in the gospels are a perfect demonstration of God's true love and desire towards man. Ironically, John Calvin's assumptions are not to be found among them.
The result of the Calvinist doctrine is to ultimately impugn the true holy/loving nature of our creator. It is not the Calvinist’s intent, but they are forced to defend God's character from the claims and inevitable conclusions of their own system.... which they've been doing for 1500yrs. They always get the same predictable, logical, questions and reply with their learned/canned responses as needed... it's like a cha-cha dance.
To maintain their belief it becomes necessary that when Calvinism and Scripture collide it is scripture which must yield. In their world this is accomplished by redefining words, terms, and inventing dual, unfalsifiable, meanings to common phrases. Ultimately, they describe a God who cannot be trusted by anyone to truly be good to them... personally. It should be no surprise that most atheists describe God in the same terms Calvinism uses. They've come to believe the picture of God which Calvin paints is accurate and rightly reject it. Sadly, they throw God out with the portrait.
@@R.L.KRANESCHRADTT I believe that this passage indicates that it is likely that Calvin was not saved. After all, we know that no murderer has eternal life.
John 16:1 ¶These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.
2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service.
3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.
Not only did Calvin kill in favor of his theology, but Augustine, father of Calvinism, started the whole business of the "Christian church" killing Christians, and wrote the apologia for it, _City of God._
@@lindajohnson4204 I understand your thoughts, I usually don't feel the need to presume anyone else's eternal destiny but there is an argument to be made . I am confident that what a man believes about the nature and desires of the God he worships will inevitably be acted out towards his fellow man. This is why John Calvin could execute those who disagreed with his theology without regretting his actions. He believed he was doing God a favor and just saving him the time. This is not unique to Calvinism. History is replete with similar atrocities in the name of many “religions”, Christian and Pagan alike. However, all of Christ's words and actions while here on earth as recorded in the gospels are a perfect demonstration of God's true love and desire towards man. Ironically, John Calvin's assumptions are not to be found among them.
Corey Minor on "smart Christian channel" just did a live stream on predestination..He believes in the calvanist view of predestination but I don't believe he is a 5 point, maybe a 3 point( which isn't consistent in my opinion)...He mentioned he would love to have a dialogue with you on the topic. Could you please do this? I think it would be a VERY beneficial discussion.
DW: Would he be willing to create a video in response to this one? That would give the two of them - a topic to go back and forth about.
Dialogs between two people in real-time have a very strong weakness - in that each person is often not prepared to accurately respond (in real-time) to statements the other person makes. However - with a video taped back & forth that problem is resolved.
@@dw6528
The thing is, with back and fourth videos, it leaves room for a lot of misinterpretation I think, in terms of what points each person is trying to make. With a joined video each point/ belief could be clear for the listeners and questions can be answered in real time between them both. On Corey's platform you have both calvanists and non calvanists that listen to him, but he himself is a calvanists even tho I don't think he would proclaim that title. He would say he agrees with most of the points but not all. He disagrees with limited atonement, not realizing that all the points are interconnected.
@@sealedsecure3754 DW: That may be true - I'm not really sure if it would actually be the case - especially with Dr. Flowers - who has been responding to Calvinist statements for so many years - that he knows exactly what they mean.
Would Corey be willing to make a post on the SOT101 blog - indicating that he would be open to a dialog with Dr. Flowers?
That way - the administrators at SOT101 would have Corey's email address - and they could forward his invitation to Dr. Flowers - and Dr. Flowers could respond directly to Corey.
@@dw6528
I'm not sure but I can see. I don't personally know him I just pop on his channel from time to time and it pains me to hear the calvanism doctrine fed to his listeners. He is genuine 100 percent and believes these things so my hope is that a dialogue could help him see the error, in determinism specifically. In his live today he said he would love to dialogue with Leighton. When he said that, I came here to post my comment and see if it was possible
@@dw6528
Also, I believe Corey's email is in the description of his videos or on his actual channel info section.
Hi Leighton,
My only issue with the question around minute 4:00:
Did God predestine the cross of Christ?
Well, if God is not bound by time, then we have to understand He isn’t bound by the concept of pre-destination. I believe that term is used by God to help us understand His pre-eminence.
What’s my point? Well first off bereshit (first word of the Bible) would indicate that Christ would be sacrificed with His hands on a cross.
However this makes it no more His INITIAL plan as opposed to His foreknowledge seeing our need for redemption and “amen-ing” it according to His will, and therefore ordering that redemption from the beginning.
I say this because otherwise God must’ve predestined our downfall (direct disobedience to Himself) in the same token as ordaining Christ as the redemptive sacrifice. I don’t think the word Carrie’s the right connotation we tend to give it (eg He decreed something beforehand) as much as it just establishes TO us that He is ever-present, everything is under His control and He saw all from the beginning.
I’m open to hearing alternative options, but biblically God cannot author evil, He cannot lie, He cannot fail, so therefore we are responsible for evil and yet He saw it, let it happen, and recovered redemption for us all from the beginning.
Thank you for your work and God bless!
Dude, a BUNCH of people in the South say "Bab-dist"! It's just a thing, don't worry about it!😁😁
He also says pharaoh like Fay-Roe lol
Ok, so please explain why the other 2 sons, walked backwards to cover Noah up..
Thank you for your videos. one of your videos mentions all the free will passages in the bible. This is one i have thought disqualified any idea of calivnism: Though I am free of obligation to anyone, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), to win those under the law. 21To those without the law I became like one without the law (though I am not outside the law of God but am under the law of Christ), to win those without the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.
"Just because God predetermines an event that is evil does not mean that He ultimately causes the evil intentions of the actors involved." - Dr Flowers.
To which I ask if an all powerful, all knowing God can predetermine an evil thing to happen, even just one, then how do you really differ from Calvinism. Surely that all powerful and all knowing God could have predetermined otherwise...
Known unto God are all His works from the foundation of the world.
Once Chuck died, Calvary split into topical verses verse upon verse teaching, The topical one’s just happen to be slipping into Calvinism.
It's payment for the tithes account to pastor that's how you work it up
Seems to me that God allows all people to have freewill in all things. We are given choices to do what we want. But I do see a bunch of scriptures that seem to point in the direction the unless God works on the hearts of unbelievers, they can’t get saved.
Can you list some of those "bunch of scriptures"? Remember: the work must be irresistible and given ONLY to some and not others.
@@gk.4102 exactly, which verses does he mean? John 6:35-40 shows that anyone can come to Christ freely: “Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; the one who comes to Me will not be hungry, and the one who believes in Me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have indeed seen Me, and yet you do not believe. Everything that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I certainly will not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of everything that He has given Me I will lose nothing, but will raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.”
John 3:16-19 seems pretty clear that anyone can come to God, but not all will because they love darkness more than light: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him. The one who believes in Him is not judged; the one who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light; for their deeds were evil.”
I’m seeing a lot of choosing in these verses. The Father sent Christ, that is the work we cannot do. It was the love and grace of the Father that sent Christ to the world. But we can choose to accept the provision God provided for us, or we can choose to live in darkness and under condemnation.
Could you possibly do every time in THE BIBLE that either HELL or The Lake of Fire appear ? I'd like to know the word used and possible meanings because i've heard so many conflicting opinions. Like => it's really THE GRAVE.....or THE PIT......or HADES......or ?
This is a very good video and I appreciate it because it is a Salvation issue. I’m studying calling on the name of the Lord and in Him. To be in him do you want to get right or there’s no salvation. Being in Christ is hearing the word of God, believing the word of God, repenting, confessing, and being baptized for the remission of your sins, and staying faithful unto death..
Those are requirements to be in Christ .
Just remember that Jesus Christ himself said in Luke 13:24 and in Matthew 7:13-14, that it is very hard for a believer to get into heaven, and most are not going to make it. He is talking to believers not unbelievers. .
So do a deep study on what the biblical definition of in Christ means. And calling on the name of the Lord, because it is very clear that the ones that are calling on the name of the Lord those ones will be saved..
I have just two questions. Did you choose to be born? If you did not, how can you choose to be born again?
Who decides whom to born when and where?????
"They have absolutely no control over how they are born or how they remain."
Sounds like the indigenous people of the Americas. They didn't receive the gospel for nearly 1500 years. Do you think the Mayan people who were sacrificing people by the hundreds of thousands can look to God on judgment day and say, "It's not fair because I didn't hear the gospel"?
Congratulations on 60k.
Fortress illustration Min 24:50
It seems to me the problem is this pagan idea of fatalism is applied to the Christian idea of Gods foreknowledge, Sovereignty and plan. This seems to result in this mechanistic determinism....a simplistic and false view of the universe. As with many conundrums and false dilemmas it is centered on a misuse or misunderstanding of time.
Of course, Acts 4 does not state at what point God predestined that Christ would die on the cross.
"It's really that simple." ✌️
1:29:40 Yes. Across Christianity, Calvinists are in the minority.... for certain. Of course, they are fine with that, narrow is the gate and few that find it, etc. . etc. Admittedly, it's not an exercise in democracy. It's just that they are constantly forced to defend the nature of our heavenly father from the inevitable claims of their own system.