Friday, July 17, 2009

freewill and predestination

The age old battle of Calvinism [everything is predestined, God is in control] vs. Arminianism [we have free will, God has given us the gift of choice] rages on in our society. Just in case you wondered, John Wesley was an arminian. Methodist theology is based in God's grace and our right and responsibility to choose.

I hear people talk about how God made all these things happen in their lives. I know they want to give God glory, and that is good, but did God really give you that new car or did you just choose to buy it? Is it possible that sometimes we make choices and ascribe them to God so that they feel a bit more justified?

"I have noticed even people who claim everything is predestined, and that we can do nothing to change it, look before they cross the road." Stephen William Hawking

I think we like to talk about God being in control, but we tend to live more like our choices matter, and they do. I am not sure that God is glorified when we ascribe our choices to him. I think that he is more glorified when we thank him for the opportunity for choice and take responsibility for them. That is real life. That is a real relationship.

It's a beautiful day in God's world, be sure to see the good.

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