“I’m Now a Four-Point Calvinist Believing that Christ Died for the Sins of the Whole World”

“Since no sin is actually forgiven until one believes in Christ, this would include the sin of unbelief. As with all other sins, Christ’s payment alone for sin does not save a person until he puts saving faith in Christ. Only when the Spirit regenerates a heart which then gives rise to that person repenting and believing in Christ – only then is that person saved. So, sin is actually, existentially, personally forgiven when one trusts in Christ. That’s true of all sin, including the sin of unbelief.

What do you do with the double payment defense by five point Calvinists? Yes, there is indeed a double payment – simply because the payment made by Christ was not accepted by the non-elect, and hence they retain their own responsibility and obligation to pay for their own sin.

But this “double payment problem” (as it were) is also true for the limited atonement position. See if this makes sense: an elect person is born into this world with two things simultaneously true of him: 1) Christ has died for his sin (remember, he’s elect, so all would agree on this), and 2) he is obligated before God to pay the penalty for his own sin, and hence he stands under the condemnation and wrath of God (e.g., Rom 5:16, 18; Eph 2:3). So, this elect person (prior to his being saved) is obligated to pay for the very sin which was paid for by Christ – double payment! The only reason why this elect person doesn’t actually make his own payment for his sin is because, in God’s grace, God has chosen him to become a recipient of the benefits of Christ’s death paying for his sin, which he receives (personally and existentially) at the point that he believes.”

     -From Dr. Bruce Ware (Four-Point Calvinist)

 

I disagree with that position. Limited Atonement, or perhaps “Definite Atonement” really does line up with scripture and make much sense in my opinion. In short, it says that Christ definitely accomplishes what he sets out to accomplish. He definitely saves those who are his.

There is a sense in which we are in Christ before we are Christians. That is election. Look at John 6:37.

Also in Romans 8, specifically verses 23-26, we see that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We see also that the reason that God could bear with us for a time and not send instant judgment was his divine forebearance. He was waiting for the time of Christ, which proves him to be two things. Just – in that the reconciles to us only through the death of Christ. In other words, our sins were paid for. And he is also the Justifier. He is the one who is the judge, requiring the justice, and he is the one who is cleaning us up, and applying Christ’s righteousness to us in order to save us and justify us.

It is clear that Christ does not do this for everyone, or else everyone would be justified and everyone would be saved. Because salvation is not universal, and we do agree on that, the atonement cannot be universal. Finally, verse 26 says that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Christ Jesus. Not of everyone.

Also, in John chapter 10, Jesus is talking about how his sheep know him and hear his voice. They don’t hear his voice and become sheep, they are sheep, and recognize their shepherd. Not everyone is a sheep. In verse 11 Christ describes himself as the good shepherd who lays his life down for his sheep.

Finally, lets look at the Trinity. God the Father elects. He is the one that has chosen who will be saved from the beginning of time. This is clear in John 6:37-39. The Holy Spirit sanctifies, guards, produces fruit, intercedes for us, etc. in genuine believers. Not everyone in the world has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Son is killed for the forgiveness of sins. Now, if the election of the Father is not universal, and the work of the Spirit is not universal, why would the atonement of the Son be universal? That would place the Trinity at odds with itself!

I think Bruce Ware is a brilliant guy, but I think he’s just wrong about this. There is much joy to be found in understanding this doctrine too. Because basically it means a cross that will definitely save those for whom it was intended. It doesn’t mean, as Arminians and 4-pointers would say, that it simply makes salvation possible.

Sovereign Chaos

These last couple of months have seen to go by so fast.  It seems like just yesterday I was living in Portsmouth as a full-time college student.  Fast forward a couple of months and now I am engaged to a beautiful young woman, whom I love very dearly.    Although the first few months were hard because I saw many friends I’ve had since Freshman year of college stop texting and calling me to hang out.  It seemed almost as if they no longer wanted to hangout with someone who was in a serious relationship.  But, I was okay with that because I know that she’s the woman I’m going to spend the rest of my life with and have beautiful little kiddies with one day.

A few more months go by and I’ve become a college graduate and moved back home to Columbus.  I have had a couple of interviews with one of the major pharmaceutical companies in the mid-west that offered great pay and great benefits.  After I get my 3rd interview, it turns out that they decide to hire someone with more experience than I and I’m back to square one.  I have several interviews and no job.  I look into a few temp agencies and they are all real shady and never gave me a job that lasted longer than one day.  So here I am, in late July, 3 months out of college with no job, and 3 months away from being married.  People keep telling me to get a job in fast food but I know that’s not going to pay the bills and it’s not where God wants me.

Finally, I get a job working for Verizon doing over the phone tech support.  Hours suck but the pay is decent.  After 7 weeks of training, I get onto the “floor” and I absolutely hate it.  I loathe this job with every fiber of my being.  But I’m getting married in a couple of months and can’t just up and quit the only steady job I’ve ever had, so I bite my tongue and keep going to work.

On October 20th, 2012 I married the girl I waited my entire life for, a woman who I was beginning to think didn’t exist.  It was the happiest day of my life.  Although, it did sting quite a bit that a lot of people who I dearly love, look up to, and consider pretty big mentors in my faith did not attend for various reasons.  None the less, nothing could take away from the joy of that day.

The first couple of weeks and months were hard for both myself and Lisa.  My hours at work kept getting cut beyond my control.  It was bitter-sweet because while I hated my job, it did pay the bills as I was the only one working full-time at that time.  On one of the days I got sent home early from work, I basically broke down to Lisa and told her how much I hated my job and how I get physically sick whenever I even think about work.  Lisa knew I didn’t like my job but I’m not sure if she really knew how much I hated it.  To many people’s dismay, I decided to quit my job.  Let me tell you, quitting your job when you’re the only one working consistently is a pretty stressful thing.  I’m certain that it was even more stressful for Lisa.

Eventually, Lisa got a job at a high-end fashion store (where she is quickly moving up the ladder).  It took me a little longer to find work.  Again, I had several interviews and looked into several temp agencies but nothing came to fruition.  I had an interview with Ricoh USA for a position at BMW Financial Services.  I felt great about the interview and really loved everything about the company.  A couple of weeks went by and I did not hear anything back from Ricoh and I started working a seasonal job at Macy’s in the same mall Lisa worked in. After my first day, I got a call from Ricoh, they offered me a job in a different department (higher pay to boot!).  I immediately accepted the position and anxiously waited to tell Lisa the good news when she got off from work.

Fast forward two months and here I sit today, at work, writing this blog.  I really am loving my job.  I have great bosses and great co-workers.  I get paid well and have great benefits.  I have recently found out that my company will pay for me to finish my Bachelors and my Masters (in what, I’m not sure of).

It has been a whirlwind couple of months here in the Linley household, but I am certain that I am where God wants me, and I am grateful that he has provided myself a job where I can support my wife and future family with to the best of my abilities.

Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

-Habakkuk 3:17-18

Top 10 Missed Albums of 2012!

Here’s a little list of albums that have gotten over looked and missed in 2012.

10) “Developer” – Social Studies

9) “Snaxxx” - Mike Mictlan

8) “Sexy But Not Happy” - Museum Mouth

7) “The Sister” - Marissa Nadler

6) “I’m Not Alone” -Flashlights

5) “Whatever Brains” - Whatever Brains

4) “Dark Shores” - Strand of Oaks

3) “Live at the All Hands House” - Woodsy Pride

2) “Scorpion” - Will Johnson

1) “Shake My Head” -Spider Bags

Being Libertarian The Day After An Election

 

I Was Hurt by A Church, But I Still Love THE Church.

While I was at college, there was a church I attended pretty regularly for about 3 – 3 1/2  years, since about the time it was planted.  I considered it my home church.  Whenever there was something major in my life, I would talk to one of the pastors, I would ask for prayer, tithe, seek advice from the elders, etc.  Than I started dating a girl and it all seemed to change.

I was attending these classes through the church for two semesters while I had free time and nothing better to do. My last semester while I was living at college, my schedule didn’t work out for me to attend these classes, and the one class I could take, I had taken 2 years earlier.  I had several classmates mock me and tell me how much spiritual they were then I was because I “couldn’t cut it” anymore.  I assumed they were just joking around, but nevertheless it seemed a little harsh.  I would often hangout with my classmates during my time at that church, but after I couldn’t attend classes anymore, I hardly ever saw them.

After my current fiancée and myself started dating, a couple of my closest friends who also attended that church had began to talk to me less and less and even went as far as to suggest that me and the girl shouldn’t be dating.  In one guys opinion, we shouldn’t have begun dating until we had known each other for at least a year.  I had never been a relationship prior to this one, so I asked one of these friends if she knew of any bible studies for dating couples.  She suggested that we don’t study or read the bible together.  She said that when we broke up, it would make it harder and could lead to us falling away from God.

Five months later, my girlfriend and I had gotten engaged.  It was one of the happiest moments of my life, by far.  The following Sunday I was super stoked to go to Church that evening and expected some congratulations, selfish thinking probably.  To this day, only one person from that church wished us good luck or congratulated us in any way.  It hurt a lot.  It’s not like I was engaged to some monster of a woman.  I was engaged to another Christ loving and God-fearing Christian.  It hurt a lot to feel chastised by the local body of believers I had come to call my family, for no apparent reason.  Whenever any of the pastors invited young couples over for dinner, we were always left out.

But regardless of all that, I still love THE Church.  I’ve talked to a lot of believers who have ill feelings towards local churches because of bad brushes in the past.  Myself personally, I’ve had bad experiences with 3 of the 3 churches I have attended for long periods of time (though, one of the churches was effected by a tragedy, so it wasn’t the church itself).  Experience’s like these really make me strive to find a local church now that I live in Columbus to call family.  Hopefully I have found that one in Covenant Church in Galloway.  No church is perfect, allow me to stress that.  I just can’t wait to be apart of a mature body of believers who help me and my eventual wife grow together in Christ!

Love is a Decision, Not a Feeling

We have totally and completed corrupted the word “Love” beyond all measure.

“Love” is the most talked about,  written, sung, contemplated subjects we as Human beings have ever had to live with.  It’s probably because it’s the most misunderstood,  ill-used, overused and abused concept known to Humankind.

There are hundreds of resources that debate whether or not Love is an Emotion or if it is a Decision.  The reality of Love in Marriage though is obvious.  Love is a Decision.  It is another of the valuable paradigms that has been introduced to me through Retrouvaille and one which I am learning to Live.

God has Blessed Humanity with the Gift of Emotions.  The problem with viewing Love as an Emotion in our Marriages is that Feelings belong to each individual person.  Simply Stated,  Our Emotions are our own and our Feelings are our own.  Feelings and Emotions are fleeting, volatile and at times uncontrollable.  There is nothing wrong with what we Feel.  It is vital to our mental well-being.  As such, this volatility is what causes so much chaos when we allow it to control our Marriage.  It is how we act and how we let Emotions affect are decisions that is important.

The Secular Viewpoint is that Love is an Emotion.  They claim that it becomes meaningless if it is just a decision.  Secularist arguments are that Love is a Decision belongs only in the “institution” of Marriage (Notice the shot at Marriage as an Institution).  This viewpoint is extremely destructive to a Marriage and it is one that we hear Over and Over again, Day in and Day out from everywhere.  The World we Live in minimizes the often times difficult decision to Love in spite of our feelings.

To Decide to Love in Spite of how we feel requires Sacrifice and Hard Work.  It requires Selflessness,  Courage and Humility.  It requires the Holy Spirit because as Fallen Creatures we are incapable of this on our own.

If you believe Love is only an Emotion, then you’ll be enslaved by Your Anger,  Your Pride,  Your Jealousy and your Happiness as well as the entire range of Emotions we experience as Humans.

I am not denying the Emotional Aspect to Love.  God is Love,  therefore it is multifaceted.  Infinite.  What I am saying is any Emotional component of it cannot be the only part of your Marriage.  It simply cannot.

The Very Nature of our Emotions is that they are Self-Serving and Self-Preserving.  They serve our Interests and our Needs First, and that in itself is why Love must be a decision.  There is no place for only yourself in Marriage.

You can “Feel” You Love your Spouse Today.  What happens when you have an Argument ?  Do you still “Feel” Love ?  If your Spouse Offends You ?  Do you still “Feel” Love ?  When your Spouse is Selfish,  Do you still “Feel” Love ?   When your Spouse does not meet your Needs, Do you still “Feel” Love ?

The Most Powerful example of Love being a decision comes from Our Saviour Jesus Christ.  He Agonized in the Garden about the Suffering he was about to Endure.  Every Emotion he experienced was that he not have to bear his Torture,  Cross and Crucifixion.

In Spite of all those Emotions though What did he Do ?  Did He decide to forget about the whole ordeal?

Instead, Jesus Decided to Give Himself Up.  To sacrifice Himself for the Good of All Mankind, regardless of our Ignorance, Ingratitude and Unworthiness.

Our Saviour showed us that in spite of what we feel.  We must decide to Love in Marriage.  Just as Jesus did for his Bride, the Church.

Had he given in to his Emotions and let it decide his Love for Us then he would not have gone through with The Passion.

That is Why Love is a Decision.

Find a Christian, and Marry Them!

This is a topic that came up a lot at camp the past week that I spent there volunteering and helping them get ready for campers.  Two friends and myself made the argument that the world and most Christians make the mistake of looking for certain attributes in potential spouses.  I’ve had that same mindset for a long time, and it wasn’t until I realized what was important that I found my soon to be wife.

Our argument is simple.  Guys, find a girl who has a heart for the Lord and a willingness to serve and submit to Godly leadership and marry her.  That’s literally all there is to it (of course, you yourself need to have a desire to serve and submit to Christ’s leadership first before you even consider dating).  The most common objection is to this is “you can’t control who you are attracted to”.  First off, what a load of cow pie we have been shoveled if we really believe this.  If a woman is reflecting the glory of Christ and she isn’t “your type” or “cute enough”, whoa is you.  You have all the say in the world in who you are attracted to, especially as a Christian.

It’s no wonder that the national divorce rate is so high (it’s just as high among Christians as any other section).  We see dating and marriage as trying to find the person who will make me the happiest and will make marriage the easiest.  So when we stop being happy or the marriage starts being hard, we opt out.  What could you possibly add to christ-likeness to make someone a better match?  ”Hey, you have a great heart, a servants attitude, and I can see Christ in you…. but I can’t stand your taste in music, sorry”.

Don’t get my argument twisted, I obviously don’t think there is anything wrong with marrying someone you’re physically attracted to in any way.  I think my fiancée is beautiful.  But in the scheme of things, her beauty plays such a small role in the equation.  Our shared relationship in Christ is what our relationship is and should be based and solely revolved around.  I can’t even say that anything should even factor in as .0001% of the marriage equation but even that would take away from how essential Christ is in marriage.

I’ve heard respected Christian leaders while I was in college talk about how important it was to be physically attracted to your potential spouse, that you shouldn’t even consider the thought of marrying someone who you can’t wait to shack up with.  How flawed is that thinking.  Marriage is about displaying the relationship of Christ and His Church to the world.  The church isn’t always pretty, most of the time is pretty ugly.  Christ doesn’t leave us or tell us “I don’t think my Dad wants us together.  We can still be friends”.

We have a tragically flawed view of marriage that is poisoning how we show the world Christ’s relationship with his bride, The Church.