Reformed Doctrine of Predestination by Loraine Boettner (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example). Read Chapters 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
Today we read five short chapters.
In Chapter Five we are told that the providence of God is his continued sustaining creation with all its properties and powers.
In Chapter Six we are told that the foreknowledge of God is God's foreknowing the future. It is different from foreordination: 'Foreordination renders the events certain, while foreknowledge presupposes that they are certain.'
In Chapter Seven we are told that there are really only three systems which claim to set forth a way of salvation through Christ:
(i) Universalism;
(ii) Arminianism;
(iii) Calvinism.
In Chapter Eight the Scriptures are held up as the final authority by which the three systems are to be judged.
Finally in Chapter Nine, which also closes Section One, we are given a warning against going beyond Scripture to satisfy human curiosity, which the doctrine of predestination particularly tempts sinful man to do.
Does this mean that to God, Jesus Christ is eternally dying, eternally resurrecting, eternally ascending? I'm pretty sure Carson critiques the notion that God is outside of time in one of his books, but as I am away on holidays and don't have access to my library to look it up. Maybe someone else knows of a good critique of this commonly assumed idea? If so, let us know in the comments.
Another thing that grabbed me in today's reading was the discussion of the appeal that Arminianism makes to sinful man: 'The chief fault of Arminianism is its insufficient recognition of the part that God takes in redemption. It loves to admire the dignity and strength of man; Calvinism loses itself in adoration of the grace and omnipotence of God. Calvinism casts man first into to supernatural strength. The one flatters natural pride; the other is a gospel for penitent sinners. As that which exalts man in his own sight and tickles his fancies is more welcome to the natural heart than that which abases him, Arminianism is likely to prove itself more popular. Yet Calvinism is nearer to the facts, however harsh and forbidding those facts may seem.'
Arminianism is popular because it feeds our natural inclination: to elevate man over God.
Next week's reading
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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