If you like to listen to podcasts I suggest checking out www.achristianandanatheist.com. It isn't a typical debate type show. It is more of a conversation between two friends. I have listened to the first thee episodes and have enjoyed it so far. The production quality is pretty good and it is a very civil discussion. My only critique would be that both of the guys on the show seem a bit unprepared which brings up a few short periods of no one talking which really hurts the flow of the conversation to anyone listening.

I think that both of the guys on the show ask some really good questions of each other but they also both miss out on some very good probing questions that they could ask. All in all I think it is worth listening too just as an example of the different types of conversations one can find themselves in. This program could also be used in a study of apologetics and how to effectively defend one's faith.

I have done some more studying and I am now seeing that if we are truly totally depraved (Romans 3:10-18) then the only way we can be saved is by God's grace alone. Grace is receiving something we don't deserve at all. Since we are fallen we don't deserve to be with God because of His infinite Holiness. There is nothing in us that will want to turn to God because of our fallen nature. So it is the work of our mighty God alone that turns us toward Him. If we initiate any part of the decision then it really isn't grace because there would be something in us that deserves it.

In regards to limited atonement I think there is a misconception based off of the wording for it. Saying that it is "limited" makes it sound mean or evil to some I think. I have also seen it called definite atonement. Saying it that way may make it easier for some. Think that when people first hear the term limited they kind of form an opinion before hearing the argument for it (I know that I did).

So I am now pretty much on the Calvinist side of this debate that will probably last until we are all brought home. I doubt this will be my final thought on this subject and who knows I may find evidence that sways me in another direction. My main goal is to be faithful to the scripture and as I see it this theology is faithful indeed.

Another point I would like to make is don't just believe what I say. Open up the Bible and read the scriptures that I, or anyone else, use to support this or any other theology. And don't just read snippets. Read at least a paragraph and even better read the whole chapter. That way you can understand the context of the verse sited and know if someone is using it incorrectly. I recommend the the article "Never Read a Bible Verse" from Stand to Reason for more on this.

I found this link helpful when doing my studying.
www.theopedia.com/Category:Calvinism

So lately I have been wrestling with a couple things.

First off I have been doing some studying on Calvinism(1)and I am finding that the more I look into it the more it makes sense. I still have a bit of studying to do with it and have some issues that I need to resolve. I agree with the aspects of total depravity, unconditional election, and perseverance of the saints. I am still working through the limited atonement and irresistible grace aspects of
Calvinism.

The second thing I have been working through is the traditional view(2) of decision making and God's will. I have been doing some personal study on this and we will be talking about it in our small group over the next couple of sessions. So far, through my personal study, I am finding that the traditional view just is not supported in the Bible. In our group we will be using a study that is basically an outline of the book Decision Making and the Will of God. I also have the book and will be reading through it.


Please be in prayer for me that I don't try to push any meaning or agenda into the Bible verses that I will be studying. Also that I use wisdom and discernment to discover the the truth.




(1)A brief explanation of the 5 points of Calvinism:

Total Depravity = as a result of Adam’s fall the entire human race is affected; all humanity is dead in trespasses and sins. Man is unable to save himself (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-18).

Unconditional Election = Because man is dead in sin, he is unable to initiate response to God; therefore, in eternity past God elected certain people to salvation. Election and predestination are unconditional; they are not based on man’s response (Romans 8:29-30; 9:11; Ephesians 1:4-6,11-12).

Limited Atonement = Because God determined that certain ones should be saved as a result of God’s unconditional election, He determined that Christ should die for the elect alone. All whom God has elected and Christ died for will be saved (Matthew 1:21; John 10:11; 17:9; Acts 20:28; Romans 8:32; Ephesians 5:25).

Irresistible Grace = Those whom God elected and Christ died for, God draws to Himself through irresistible grace. God makes man willing to come to Him. When God calls, man responds (John 6:37,44; 10:16).

Perseverance of the Saints = The precise ones God has elected and drawn to Himself through the Holy Spirit will persevere in faith. None whom God has elected will be lost; they are eternally secure (John 10:27-29; Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:3-14).



(2)The traditional view:

When talking about the will of God, many people in the Church (including pastors and notable Christian leaders) have the notion of God's individual will in mind. God's individual will is His “ideal, detailed life-plan uniquely designed for each person.” Other names given to God's individual will are: His perfect will; His specific will; or His ideal will. This will is revealed to the believer's heart through the Holy Spirit. God's individual will is distinguished from God's sovereign will (God's predetermined plan which He had ordained from the beginning of time) and God's moral will (God's moral commands which are revealed in the Bible).

We discover God's individual will by looking at various road signs.

1. The word of God. This gives us general direction for finding God's will for we know that God won't will for us to do something that is prohibited in scripture (God won't tell me to rob a bank).
2. Circumstances. God is in control of all things and we can read His providence in order to find out what might be His will. He often opens or closes doors of opportunity in order to reveal His will to us. Sometimes people “put out a fleece” (Judges 6:36-40), meaning that they say, “If it is God's will for me to sell my house, then He will provide a buyer before I even put it up for sale.”
3. Inner witness of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides us through inner impressions. And He grants us peace when we carry out God's will, but unrest when we don't.
4. Mature counsel. When seeking God's will concerning a particular situation we should seek the counsel of godly brothers and sisters. They can often help us see things that we may not have looked at (though it is important to remember that as humans, they are fallible).
5. Personal desires. God often places within us a desire for the very thing that will accomplish His will. But we must be very careful so as to not do something out of selfishness. We must be willing to forsake our desires for the sake of God's will.
6. Common sense. Often our common sense is a good indicator of God's will, that is why He gave it to us. But we must remember that God's ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8) and often He wants us to do things that defy common sense (for instance, Noah and the ark).
7. Special supernatural guidance. At times God has supernaturally revealed His will through miraculous circumstances (Acts 8:26). This is not normative and shouldn't be sought for proof of God's will for your life.

How can we know God's will with 100% certainty?

1. Agreement of road signs. If there is great consistency between the various road signs that God has given us, there is good indication that it is God's will.
2. Results. If we have confidence and peace about our decision it is a good indicator that we have found God's will.
3. Prayer. If we haven't spent very much time praying that God would reveal His will, we can be assured that we won't be able to know it. Through prayer we are enabled to more clearly see God's leading through the various road signs.
4. Personal communion with God. If there is distance between you and God, there will be difficulty hearing His voice in reference to His will. We must be communing with the Lord so that we will be able to communicate with Him.
   
   
   

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The Truth about Campus Health Care
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A young coed named Heather paid a visit to her campus health clinic. She told the doctor she was suffering from depression. The doctor explored possible causes, but Heather could not come up with any reasons for her sadness. Oh, wait—there is one thing, she remembered. Since Thanksgiving, she said, “I’ve had a ‘friend with benefits.’” That is, a male friend that she is not in a relationship with, but has casual sex with.

“I’m really unhappy about that,” Heather said. “It’s hard to be with him and then go home and be alone.”...

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