I've never been much of a Scrabble fan. But I do understand the concept. Of course, the more letters one uses to form words, the more points are rewarded. I have a suggestion for those of you who play...SUPRALAPSARIAN. Sure you would have to have some luck. But you never know. This could be a winner. Of course, before using this word, you might obtain a good theological dictionary. As thorough as Noah Webster was, his editors didn't include this word in the edition I have. For those of you intent on using the word in a conversation, supralapsarian is defined as "the view that God, contemplating man as yet unfallen, chose some to recieve eternal life and rejected all others." This according to Theopedia.
Continuing our study through election in Perspectives on Election, we now turn to an essay by Dr. Robert Reymond, Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology at Bob Jones University.
Dr. Jones begins by sharing from the Westminster Confession of Faith. "...for the manifestation his own glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlatsting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death" (III/iii) (153). He continues to quote from the WCOF (1646) time and time again. Because of space, you can find the document here.
The WCOF states that Adam was placed in the Garden and had the ability to obey God or rebel and sin. However, because of mankind's (Adam's) choice to rebel against God in the Garden, the offspring of Adam (all mankind except Jesus) no longer has the same ability. Man is dead in sin (Rom 3:23, 5:12). The WCOF then makes mention of an "effectual call" (Chapter X), stating that only those God has elected (prior to creation) will be saved. The rest of mankind is doomed to damnation (Chapter XXXIII).
This post is not intended to be a treatise on the Westminster Confession of Faith. However, Dr. Reymond continues to move point by point through the document, while staking his claim. I intend to hear more from Dr. Reymond next time, rather than hearing again from the WCOF.
By the way, when making his arguments, Dr. Reymond continues to preface his statements with the phrase "the bibically informed Christian will conclude..." Does this bother anyone except me?
What are your thoughts?
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Foreordained, predestined? Then we need to just through the Book away!! This guys argument can't hold water or Jesus lied!! He opened the way for us ALL! Maybe there was some hand picked group in the beginning, I don't know? But not now!! He said He is the Truth, the Way and the Light. If he is not then the Bible lies, because it is His word, it is truth.
God does not lie, Jesus did not lie and the Holy spirit provides truth, to every person who listens and reads. He loved us so that He gave His Son for our redemption. He said choose Me I am the way.
Choice does away with predestination and foreordained. He wants us, all of us, to choose Him!
Naturally those who believe in predestination or forodainement feel that they have been choosen? Arrogance comes to mind!
Sorry, This rambling probably reminds you of a couple of time in my living room. I'm challenged by the blog.
So say Mike.
i don't play scrabble
You said, "Dr. Robert Reymond, Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology at Bob Jones University."
For what it's worth, Dr. Robert Reymond is not now, nor has ever been the Professor Emeritus of anything at Bob Jones University. He is a professor at Knox Theological Seminary in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and was previously a professor at Covenant.
Most BJU professors would probably be closer to the Amyraldism position on this issue.
In Christ,
Pastor Frank Sansone
Good to hear from you Anon Mike. I'm glad to hear of the thinking going on.
Blessings,
Mike
Good decision Nancy!
Mike
Hello Frank!
Thanks for stopping by. And more importantly, thanks for the correction. Editor Chad Owen Brand does is clear that Dr. Reymond is Emeritus Professor of Systematic Theology at Knox Theological Seminary. His PHD is from BJU. Thanks again for the correction.
Blessings,
Mike
Hi Mike,
It would be a dream to use “supralapsarian” in a game of scrabble. :)
The WCOF seems like double talk to me. If God ordains everything that happens, how is he not also responsible for sin?
Here's an analogy I heard on another blog:
There is a puppet show, and the puppet pulls out a gun and shoots someone in the audience. Who would a reasonable person blame for the shooting? The puppet, or the master? If the WCOF is true, we ought to blame the puppet.
In reality, the master is the one at fault, because the puppet did what it was caused to do.
If God causes everything, and God is good, there shouldn't be any evil in the world. However, there is evil. The only reasonable answer is that people have free will and behave in ways that God does not truely prefer.
You asked about Reymond’s statement “the bibically informed Christian will conclude...”. That does seem condescending, particularly since he’s interacting with four other biblical scholars who have come up with differing interpretations.
I suppose the other’s must have been ordained to come to a different conclusion. :)
Thanks for stopping by Kevin!
Dr. Reymond makes a distinction between determinism and God causing sin. Uh...I don't know. I'll post some about it next week.
I do like the illustration you provide. I was predestined to understand what the original intent was. :)
Blessings Bro!
Mike
Scrabble is fun.
I don't study these kind of issues anymore, but have concluded that God does not create anything for destruction. God's redemption includes all of his creation in his new creation in Jesus. Those who reject God's grace in Jesus do find judgment.
I do find this sort of Calvinism as reprehensible, and have no time for it anymore. But I deeply appreciate the Calvinism I encounter here in Grand Rapids such as is expressed at Calvin College which is a great tradition and expression of loving God with all one's mind.
I just wanted to say that I love scrabble, especially electronic! We play often over at yahoo games with friends all over the world! Fun!
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