Author: Christopher Craig

Christopher Craig is the founder of Pilgrim's Hope Media. PHM is a publishing initiative dedicated to teaching theology that cultivates godliness.

Five Questions About Predestination – #3 How?

Published on by Christopher Craig3 Comments

Question: How does one become a member of Christ’s predestined people?

Answer: By believing in the Gospel of Jesus Christ

When we talk about individuals being part of God’s Old Testament chosen people, Israel, because of their relationship with Abraham, it is not hard for us to understand the nature of that relationship. They were related to him because they had his blood running through their veins. But when we discuss the nature of the relationship between Christ and his Church we are not talking about physical ancestry. God’s New Testament chosen people are not determined by their race, but by their faith.
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Five Questions About Predestination – #2 – Who?

Published on by Christopher Craig3 Comments

Who?

Question: Who did God predestine?

Answer: The Church of Jesus Christ

The question of when God predestined is not in dispute between Calvinists and other Christians, but the question of who God predestined is. Due to their misinterpretation of certain passages of scripture Calvinists have concluded that God, before the creation of the world, unilaterally predestined certain individuals to be saved. But this is a misreading of the Bible and a misrepresentation of God’s eternal purpose.

The implications of this error are clear. If God has already decided unilaterally (i.e. without any reference to their choices) which individuals he will save, and his eternal will is unchangeable and irresistible, than everyone’s eternal destiny is sealed before they are even born. This is great news for those lucky enough to be chosen and crushing news for those who were not. But thank God, this is error! God has not determined unilaterally beforehand which individuals will be saved and which will be damned. Instead, “we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe” (1 Tim. 4:10). Jesus came to “taste death for everyone” (Heb. 2:9). And he commanded his disciples to “tell everyone the Good News. Whoever believes… will be saved…” (Mark 16:15-16 – GWT). The truth is that God “is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9 – KJV). Continue reading “Five Questions About Predestination – #2 – Who?” →

Five Questions About Predestination – #1 – When?

Published on by Christopher Craig3 Comments

The Calvinist’s Challenge:

Predestination is undeniable! The Bible clearly teaches it, and anyone who denies it has to deny the teaching of the Bible. God predestined who he would choose to save and bring to faith in Jesus Christ. Before the world was created, and before anyone had done anything good or bad, God decided which individuals he would save. He didn’t save them because of the faith they would have in him, or for any goodness that would be in them, but only because he was pleased to save them. This truth is taught so thoroughly throughout scripture that it needs no defense. It only needs humble hearts that will throw away the worldly pride of humanism which tries to deny God’s right to decide who will be saved. Continue reading “Five Questions About Predestination – #1 – When?” →

The Extent of Spiritual Death

Published on by Christopher Craig3 Comments

“Very, Very Dead”

Calvinist Position:

Ephesians 2:1-2
“And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked…”

The spirit of man is dead because of sin. A lot of people were crying and making all kinds of racket around Lazarus’ tomb during the four days he was laying their dead, but it didn’t wake him up or disturb his sleep. Lazarus didn’t help prepare his body for burial, didn’t give his opinion on who should be invited to the funeral or help decide on the menu for the guests; he was dead! We all know that dead men cannot do anything good or bad.

Lazarus was not able to respond to the people at his funeral. In the same way we couldn’t respond to God when we were dead spiritually. Everyone knows that a dead man cannot feel conviction for their sins or place their faith in Jesus Christ. Only living people can be convicted of their guilt or place their trust in something. A dead man can’t do anything. And a dead spirit cannot repent or believe! The only way that Lazarus could greet the guests who attended his funeral was by being raised from the dead. Only after he was alive could he be grateful that they had come to show their respects. And only after someone is born again by the grace and power of God can someone repent of their sins and place their trust in Christ. God decides who he will give life to, not because they repent and believe, but because of his predestined choice. He FIRST gives them new life, and THEN they are convicted of their sins, repent and believe. Faith and repentance are part of salvation, not the means by which we receive it.

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