Some thoughts on predestination

It needs to be emphasised that predestination does not mean the selection of a number of people for salvation and the rest for damnation according to the determination of an unknown and unknowable will. That idea does not belong to predestination proper. Predestination brings man into crisis in the moment of revelation and decision. It condems him in the relation in which he stands to God by nature, as a sinner, and in that relation rejects him, but it chooses him in the relation to which he is called in Christ, and for which he was destined in creation. If a man responds to God's revelation by faith, he is what God intended him to be, an elect; but if he does not respond he remains a reprobate.

But since man is always in crisis, unconditional pardon and complete rejection apply to everyone simultaneously. Esau may become Jacob, but Jacob may also become once more Esau. As Karl Barth states, "for St Paul, the individual is not the object of election or reprobation but rather the arena of election and reprobation. The two decisions meet within the same individual, but that in such a way that, seen from the human side, man is always reprobate, but seen from the divine side he is always elect...

"The ground of election is faith. The ground of reprobation is want of faith. But who is he who believes? Faith and unbelief are grounded in God."

Methinks we stand at the gates of a mystery!

I have Louis Berkoff to thank for this interesting analysis. It's certainly helped me think clearer on the subject.

Obrigardo Deus

Its been a while since i've had the time to record any more thoughts here, not that they haven't been forthcoming, its just that i seem to have been a bit busy and suffering from a lack of good words put stuff into!

Spent the last week on holiday with my family in the Algarve which was amazing - the undisputed highlight of which was a trip to the corner of Portugal where the med meets the atlantic. A place affectionately known as the 'end of the world'. Having read Pete Greig's book 'Red Moon Rising' recently which includes a vision he was given when he was at the 'end of the world' I was looking forward to similar religious experience!

Initially disappointed, I was only surrounded by some of the most stunning scenery in the whole of the world, taken aback by the freshness of the air, the clarity of the rock formations, and the beauty of the sunset! Scrambling back over the rocks and stumbling through the weeds and prickly bushes I was caused to ask a question which has since astounded me:

How come God takes ugly, annoying, useless things (rocks and prickles) and makes them into the most beautiful place on earth?

In nature God delights in making rubbish the beauty of his creation. Doesn't he do the same with the church? Isnt that how he reveals his wisdom to the world? The Church is beautiful because God is making it, not because the building blocks are great. He takes the screw-ups and 'sinners' from this world - takes us in his hand and somehow makes us beautiful in his perfect tapestry of his-story.

Why do we spend so much time polishing the bricks rather than focusing on the landscape!?

Incidently he does such a good job that it takes his breath away (zeph 3:17) and David can sing 'I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, I know that full well'. God please fix my world-view such that I can praise you because I see your beauty reflected in your world.