On Sunday our text in Ephesians took us into areas of theology that can be controversial. Words like “chosen”, “election”, and “predestination” can be a lightning rod, leaving Christian people in a heated argument. I’ve even had people ask me in a bit of a combative tone of voice, “You don’t believe in that predestination stuff, do you?” Problem is that we have to believe in that predestination stuff because it is a Bible word that explains a theological reality. The catch phrases are the concepts that are called Calvinism and Armenianism. Won’t go into detail in this blog on the meaning and various nuances of these camps, but the core question being addressed by these two groups is the issue of God’s sovereignty and how that relates to human freedom and responsibility in the issue of our Salvation.
Later this week I plan to write a little more on the subject, but in the mean time I want to reference this sermon by Pastor Mark Driscoll from Mars Hill Church in Seattle titled “Unlimited-Limited Atonement” in which he gives a clear and understandable expression of the issues raised in these two camps, and shows how balance can be found in our theology. For those of you who have big questions and want further understanding of these issues this is a good place to start. I’ll have suggestions for other resources later.