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One of the criticisms offered by Rogers, Ronnie W. (in "Reflections of a Disenchanted Calvinist: The Disquieting Realities of Calvinism" CrossBooks. Kindle Edition) is the over-emphasis of the sovereignty of God. Because of the Calvinist view that man is passive in regeneration and justification, the responsibility for salvation of some, (hence for damnation of the rest), lays squarely on God's shoulders. That God might be responsible for damnation paints a horrifying picture of his role as father.
For as Arminian as one's theology might be, the same "problem" of people going to hell emerges. It does not take the responsibility for damnation off of God's shoulders because you slide it on to men's shoulders. God, even without a Calvinist definition of His sovereignty, could have chosen to create men differently, but did not. God could have ensured that no one went to hell under any reasonable Christian theological framework, but did not. Shifting soteriological sovereignty from God to man does not eliminate any problems and shifts the basis of salvation from grace to works.
Full ethical responsibility must be born by both creature and creator in any Christian theological framework. A high (Calvinistic) view of the sovereignty of God does not detract from the freedom of choice of individuals. God has decreed to work through the agency of human hearts. Christian good flows from a solid ethical character which God himself has restored over the power of sin. This good character overflows, assuring that external norms will be observed, not by external compulsion, but rather through an internal passion that burns in the heart of every true believer. This occurs precisely because of the sovereign Lordship of God. His authority and control do not suppress free will, but rather give free will its place in the human heart.
Context: Over the last several months I have had the blessing of having time to read some theology. Now, I am drawing theological conclusions. In this thread, I am trying to talk myself into being Calvinist, and inviting (informed) comments from the Christianchat peanut gallery. Call it a poor man's college education; you are invited to participate voluntarily as peer/teacher, as the shoe fits.
For as Arminian as one's theology might be, the same "problem" of people going to hell emerges. It does not take the responsibility for damnation off of God's shoulders because you slide it on to men's shoulders. God, even without a Calvinist definition of His sovereignty, could have chosen to create men differently, but did not. God could have ensured that no one went to hell under any reasonable Christian theological framework, but did not. Shifting soteriological sovereignty from God to man does not eliminate any problems and shifts the basis of salvation from grace to works.
Full ethical responsibility must be born by both creature and creator in any Christian theological framework. A high (Calvinistic) view of the sovereignty of God does not detract from the freedom of choice of individuals. God has decreed to work through the agency of human hearts. Christian good flows from a solid ethical character which God himself has restored over the power of sin. This good character overflows, assuring that external norms will be observed, not by external compulsion, but rather through an internal passion that burns in the heart of every true believer. This occurs precisely because of the sovereign Lordship of God. His authority and control do not suppress free will, but rather give free will its place in the human heart.
Context: Over the last several months I have had the blessing of having time to read some theology. Now, I am drawing theological conclusions. In this thread, I am trying to talk myself into being Calvinist, and inviting (informed) comments from the Christianchat peanut gallery. Call it a poor man's college education; you are invited to participate voluntarily as peer/teacher, as the shoe fits.
You are not free to choose, God has either forordained you into reform theology..or perhaps you are predestined to be an Arminian..like me