Let's try to wrap up this week of talking about theology.  Calvinism is one of those approaches that far smarter people than I write whole books about.  Trying to sum it up in a blog is like catching the wind.  My hope is you get at least a little insight into it so you study for your own benefit.  You may want to know that my own theology is a mixture of those ideas we pointed out on Wednesday.  I can understand some of the logic but others aspects just escape me.  What is true is that scripture never does totally solve the tension within these differing ideas.  I believe that is intentional.  God is always going to be larger than any of our attempts to pin Him down.  We live by faith not by rational analysis.  Discussion can always be helpful to build our understanding.  Just be sure we don't end up doing an argument that has no answer.


Most who do not hold to traditional Calvinism find two points troubling.  One is the idea of limited atonement.  I do not confess to having a firm grasp on it either.  The basic idea is that the death of Jesus is not for all of the world but for those who are elect.  Baptists tend to sing or preach about Jesus dying for the sins of the world.  You cannot even go through our hymnbooks without coming across this on almost every page.  My best answer is those who view salvation in this Calvinist vein put the death of Jesus as something for those who say yes to God's call.  These are the ones elected to receive grace.  I know this is way to simplistic but it obvious makes sense to more than a few academics.  


Another problem many have is the concept that the call of God to be saved cannot be refused in terms of free will.  This is again very simplistic.  Calvinists would say that a refusal of grace is an indication of not being elect.  There are several different variables when it comes to these two ideas.  Some are very to the point about them while others leave room for other factors.  It does perhaps seem logical that if God is calling us through His election then we would naturally respond by faith.  Also, please realize that all of this making of a theology happens after we are converted.  I doubt any person who is saved ever thinks through these ideas as it occurs.  Again, most believers feel strongly about free will.  Perhaps it is ironic that most of our sinful choices happen because we simply want what we want.  Calvinists would tell us that God works in and through faith to bring us to conversion.  Our saying yes is simply an inevitable outcome of His election.


Maybe we need one more post on this.  My fear is of being too simplistic in my writing.  But there is little way to get to a summary in a few words on a topic several hundred years in the making.  I once heard a preacher say that the way to deliver your sermon is with a Calvinist approach yet give an invitation based on free will!  It does make some sense.  I just refuse to get too drawn into the back and forth seeing as much smarter people than me have not reached a definite conclusion before.  I do know God acts to bring people into a relationship with Him.  He does indeed initiate the process.  Even that truth is an act of amazing grace.  I wish we could remember that.


Bro. Trey