predestination v. freewill – a smokin debate

I definitely fall on the side of a reformed view of soteriology, not necessarily because I like it… but because it is what I see as supported in scripture. In my opinion there are three possible views…

1. Free Will. Man has a free choice. Man can choose or reject God. My problem with this is that the scriptural mandate seems to indicate that man is dead and unable to choose. Choice in and of itself is a metorious act or work.

2. Predestination or Reformed Soteriology. Predestination can be a beautiful thing if you look at it, ponder upon it, and understand that you have been plucked out of a dead and dying world. I also understand however, that none of us would choose God unless there had been a work done in our lives. Somehow, we have to have a regenerating work done before we can come to God. However, I have a difficult time understanding how God chose us in Him before the foundation of the world (probably universe or creation) and still created those that were destined to hell. It just doesn’t “feel” right to me. I don’t buy the “foreknowledge” arguement. It seems that it is one using a few verses and not the whole of scripture.

3. Universalism. This is one that I wish was true, but is not. On the other hand, if God desires that all be saved, why doesn’t he save all? The whole of scripture doesn’t support it, so I guess I’ll have to ask that question in heaven.

What I do know is that 1 and 2 both agree that it is through Christ alone that we are saved…and I believe there are Godly men and women on both sides of the issue. I tend to play devil’s advocate depending on who I am with.

The key, IMHO, is that we must all approach this humbly.

Ephesians 1:4