I came across the five points of Calvinism that were used against the logic of the Armenians on desiringgod.org (may be one g not two), before this point I was very cautious to exposing myself to these five points seeing that everyone around me is taken so adamantly by them. As a precursor to this blogs content I want to state that these five points are NOT the gospel, nor do they fully summarize what God has communicated to man-kind. Only one source does such a thing, that is the Bible. I do on the other hand fully agree (with joy may I add) with all five points.
As I discussed these points with my fellow brother Jordan I found that their is a fear that believing such things covered in TULIP (the acronym for the five points) can possibly lead believers to not preach the gospel. I on the other hand find that this is impossible if the believer truly grasps what all this means, such as limited atonement and election. I see that not all are saved, but that some are saved, and that God has chosen those people before time began, setting apart for Himself a holy nation for His glory. I COULD say here that I don't have to evangelize, or preach the gospel, because God's irresistible grace will bring a fallen person to Him, which will only happen if the person is among God's chosen to receive the full grace through Christ' death.
Instead what really has happened, and I believe will happen among many who believe in Christ, I have a thirst for the "hunt" now. I want to go out and share the gospel to the nations so that those who are chosen will come to Christ, and thus Christ coming will be hastened! In other words I have MORE confidence in Christ now knowing and understanding these things such as limited atonement and election to preach the gospel to the blind!
So what is the problem or risk in believing that ALL are saved and not some, it's not like I am really all that different from one who believes only that SOME will be saved and not all? I still evangelize and love God.
The problem I see, not that may necessarily be, other then that this view is not supported by scripture and thus is a lie, is that Satan has a foothold in your faith. Because if I believe that ALL are saved through Christ death then when I come across a person who adamantly refuses to believe despite my efforts and trusting in God, then Satan can use this event to shake my faith. I may have questions like "why has God allowed this person to continue in blindness?" Or I will have statements like, "well this person will come to Christ eventually and God will work it as such." which is especially wrecking once that person dies a non-believer. Can you imagine the dilemma of the believer? How could God let this person slip into Hell?! How can a loving God do this?! I myself struggled with this very thing when my brother died 9 months ago at the age of 20, two months after I began to finally speak plainly the gospel towards him. The last words from his mouth I can remember are, "I still can't rationalize believing in God, it isn't logical." I spent the first three months in spiritual and physical paralysis because I wasn't so sure if he went to heaven, I knew God was good, but the thoughts of him in hell split my soul in two. Now I see that God is free to choose and has, I don't know where my brother went, but that concern is trumped by the glorious light of Gods grace towards me!
Rather knowing that I am among the elect and chosen, I am even more fully satisfied and filled with awe of my Lord, because I had no part in being acceptable to being a chosen person among a chosen nation. My gratitude drives me to my knees in obedience rather then indignation!
I must say though, if at any time in my maturing in Christ and the knowledge of the word I find that TULIP is un-biblical and against God then I will turn quickly from this view-point, but as far as I can discern, these points are supported by scripture, affirm scripture, encourage the body, build confidence in the faith, and enable the believer to boldly proclaim the gospel to the lost.
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