don’t be scared to state the truth

by BA on October 24, 2009

I’ve been watching a conversation unfold between a few people on facebook and I had to comment.  I actually commented quite a few times there but withheld continuous commenting in favor of blogging about it.  Things get buried and lost on facebook.

The conversation had to do with the age old “Is God in control” argument…actually it degraded to that as it does many times with the people involved.  In addition, as other people commented, I witnessed an older Christian (over 40) pressure a younger Christian (under 18) into answering the question, “Does God control the millions of abortions every year ?.”  it took a while for the answer and additional “emotional” elements were thrown in about hacking up millions of babies, etc etc…  The younger Christian eventually answered that God does not control Satan, He just allows him to work in this world and people have free will (paraphrased, see full quote at bottom of post)

I really hated to see that answer but I will admit when I was a young Christian my answer would have been the same and maybe even worse…that Satan did things that God couldn’t prevent. (this is not a post about age, merely young Christian vs older Christian, keyword being Christian).

If I want to be extremely technical, I actually don’t have a big problem with the answer as it contains true statements (people have free will, Satan does what he wants in the “world”, etc etc…), however, in light of the context (is God in control) I have a huge problem with it.

Now to the point of this post…it almost seemed as if the younger Christian was scared to come out and say the full truth…God is in complete control aka God is sovereign over everything.  Many people are scared to make such a statement because if they did people would conclude that God is responsible for evil acts, people aren’t responsible for their own actions, etc etc…

The truth of the matter is, Paul made the statement without any concerns about the implications.  In fact, when the Romans proceeded to ask the hard questions about men not being responsible if God is in control, Paul was even kind enough to answer their question.  So for all those scared to state what the scripture teaches about God’s complete sovereignty because of the implications and/or assumptions that may ensue….don’t be!  The scripture is on your side.

“And not only that, but also when Rebekah became pregnant by Isaac our forefather(for though they had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand, not from works but from the One who calls) she was told: The older will serve the younger.As it is written: Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated. What should we say then? Is there injustice with God? Absolutely not! For He tells Moses: I will show mercy to whom I show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. So then it does not depend on human will or effort, but on God who shows mercy. For the Scripture tells Pharaoh: For this reason I raised you up: so that I may display My power in you, and that My name may be proclaimed in all the earth. So then, He shows mercy to whom He wills, and He hardens whom He wills. You will say to me, therefore, “Why then does He still find fault? For who can resist His will?” But who are you—anyone who talks back to God? Will what is formed say to the one who formed it, “Why did you make me like this?” Or has the potter no right over His clay, to make from the same lump one piece of pottery for honor and another for dishonor?” (Romans 9: 10–21 HCSB)

Full quote from young Christian referenced above:
“God does not control Satan…He allows Satan to work in this world. Satan encourages abortions…People have free will…and make bad decisions. People that have had abortions can be forgiven if they repent. God, however, is in control of the Universe. He is in control of my life. I turn my life over to Him and I try not to listen to Satan. Mostly I fail…but if I did not believe that the God who created the Universe could do anything He wanted, what would be the purpose?”

P.S. I have written many blog posts that layout my views on such things as free will and the sovereignty of God so you are free to go back and read those if you are looking for such things.

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back to the split

by Administrator on October 21, 2009

ok, the new community website is nearly ready for launch

once we launch it, this blog will be back to just pantokrator.org (the christianos.org redirect will be removed)

the new community site will allow members to have their own blog as well as participate in the forums…stay tuned…

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overhaul

by Administrator on June 5, 2009

new website coming soon!

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Logos Giveaway

February 24, 2009

Logos is doing a pretty nice giveway.  Check it out. http://www.biblestudymagazine.com/driscoll/ From their webpage: Bible Study Magazine and Mars Hill are giving away 20 copies of Mark Driscoll’s new book, Vintage Church. Not only that, but they are also giving away five subscriptions to Bible Study Magazine and a copy of their Bible Study Library [...]

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A Few Documents for Your Consideration

February 17, 2009

When You Pray (Part 1) When You Pray (Part 2) Authoritative Scriptures in Relation to “The Church” Authority of the Church Jesus on legitimacy Jesus’ training on “Sense of Entitlement” progress in Acts and in you Means of Grace? A New Testament Perspective on Eating Justin Martyr and a developing “orthodox” Eucharist Creeds and Confessions [...]

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