Calvinism & Our Generation Part 4: Non-Tension

When you compare my life and spiritual maturity now to my life and spiritual maturity 3 years ago there is a monumental difference.  There would be a problem if there wasn’t.  Discipleship and local church involvement are key when it comes to a believers progressive sanctification.  I have had my bumps and bruises here and there yes, but I feel I have definitely grown in maturity toward my end goal of Christ-likeness.  The doctrine of glorification teaches us that we (body and soul) will never be fully like Christ until Jesus comes again in glory and raises our bodies to be perfectly like his.  We can understand sanctification in an already/not yet tension – we are like Christ now but not yet fully like him.  We wait for him to come as our Warrior King to completely defeat sin and death and usher in the New Heavens and New Earth.

One way I have grown in maturity is dealing with the issue of Calvinism and those who cause tension within it.

As stated in my earlier posts, there will always be tension when speaking of God’s being and actions because we are sinners and honestly a lot of times can’t handle for people to disagree with us.  

There will always be debate within Calvinist circles on the doctrine of limited atonement.  It is inevitable.  And, it is healthy.  

Christians must discuss these things with each other for a better understanding of God’s being and actions.  Is God sovereign?  Does God elect people to salvation?  Did Jesus die only for the elect?  Are all people inherently sinful or good?  These are questions that must be answered and must be thought through.  

A few things I would suggest:

Stay away from those who cause division and want to continuously cause tension.

Begin to think through these questions using the 10 guides I gave for thinking through a doctrine in my last post.  

Begin to love doctrine and theology… but not debate to the point of causing tension.  

Let us love one another as we build each other up in our understanding of doctrine.  

Let us not be a generation that is known for prideful and arrogant debate.  

We don’t know it all.  Don’t act like you do!  

Love those who disagree with you but stand firm on your convictions.  

Above all, point people to the love, joy, and grace of Jesus who will be there with us in the end teaching us the perfect truths about these precious doctrines.

gg