Our Power or God’s Power of Preservation? (1 Peter 1:3-9 (COD Head 5 Article 3)

We might think that this notion of the preservation and perseverance of the saints is unique to the Apostle Paul.  We might also think that this is not all that significant in terms of our psychology or encouraging us through difficult times in this life. In fact, we might think that that knowing God will preserver us waters down the struggle or the hardship of this life.  It sounds like life is not that challenging because God will just continue to pull the puppet strings.   So, what does a Calvinist say about such a claim that Reformed Theology minimizing suffering? 

Struggling Sinners and Saints (Romans 8:18-25 (COD Head 5 Article 1)

There is no doubt that one would not be saved apart from the grace of God.  I think all Christians who have a grasp of Christianity would affirm the necessity of grace for our salvation.  We know that we are those who need grace, but how much grace do we need?  Is 90 percent enough or do we need more?  Is our confidence in that we will not fall away because we love the Lord enough or is it because know that the Lord loves us enough?

Imposed or Refundable Gift (Ephesians 2:8 (LD 16; COD Head 2 Art. 7)

All conservative Christians agree that the human race is divided between those who believe in Christ as their savior or those who do not believe in Christ.  The issue is how do we receive our faith or come to an understanding of the truths in Scripture?  Is faith a gift that we receive by reaching up our hand to the benevolent giver or does the benevolent giver impose this gift upon us?  So, is this a gift that the Lord imposes on us or is this a gift that we can return it?

Christ Made Sin? (2 Corinthians 5:21 (LD 15; COD Head 2 Art. 2)

The Apostle Paul sure chooses some strange words when he talks about Christ’s work on the cross.  An example of strange wording regarding the work of Christ is when Paul states that Christ became sin.  What does that mean?  If we really pause for a moment that sounds like Christ has sinned so he could relate to us.  Is that what the Lord is saying through the Apostle Paul?  Why would it be problematic that Christ would sin? What does Paul mean by this language?

Resurrection and Incarnation (1 Corinthians 15:45; BC 19)

We talked last time about the incarnation of Christ being something that is challenging for us to understand because it is a doctrine that is difficult to grasp.  It does not make sense that the second person of the Trinity would take on flesh like our flesh.  It does not make sense that He would submit to death and then be raised up again.  Why all this drama?  What is the purpose of Christ taking on the flesh and then dying?  How does this have a meaningful impact right now instead of at the end of our 80 years of walking this earth?

Limited or Universal Atonement (2) (John 10:27-30 (COD Head 2 Article 8)

We know that Christ is the Good Shepherd and there is no shepherd that even compares to Christ in terms of His caring for the sheep.  We also know that God is gracious and good in terms of HIs care for His people.  We also know that Christ is so gracious that He is going to do what is right and consistent with His gracious will.  So, is it gracious that God decides who receives the work of Christ?  What basis would we have to make the claim that God limits the work of Christ? So, we continue to deal with the question of how many people are impacted by the work of Christ?

Limited or Universal Atonement? (1)(Hebrews 9:23-28; 10:11-18 COD Head 2 Article 3, 8)

The Reformed position on Christ’s death on the cross is probably not the majority view in Christianity.  If this position is held by a minority then what basis would people have to hold it? How do we see that really any conservative Christian believes in a limited atonement?  What is more, how can the Reformed definition of a limited atonement actually teach a very gracious God?

One God, One Will (Exodus 3:14; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 (LD 8 COD Head 5 Article 1)

The doctrine of the Trinity is a rather confusing doctrine.  In fact, it is a doctrine that we will not fully grasp or understand as creatures possibly even during glory. So, if this doctrine is so difficult can we really know our God?  What is good about such a confusing doctrine?  What does this doctrine have to do with our redemption?  In other words, if we cannot understand this doctrine then why talk about it?  What does such a doctrine have to do with the doctrines of grace?

Blindly Following a Puppeteer? (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Romans 5:1-11 (COD Head 3,4 RE 6; LD 7)

One of the criticism of the Reformed faith is that if God chooses us then our wills are set aside.  This means that we become mere robots of puppets who follow the one who pulls our strings.  I guess my first reaction to this is if this criticism is true then I am not guilty for my sin.  So, this would present a huge problem because God does not tempt us to sin.  So, how can I preached a Reformed theology with such a glaring criticism and potential problem?

Why Preach if God has Chosen His People? (Romans 10:14-15 (COD Head 1 Article 3; LD 6)

One of the great struggles that people have with the Reformed faith is the notion that if God chooses His people then why preach or send missionaries?  We can understand the force of this because if God has determined what has happened then why do anything?  It would seem that we are merely helpless pawns in the game of life.  Is this fair?  Is this really what Reformed people believe about preaching?

God Loves the World? (John 3:16 (LD 5; COD Head 2 Article 1-4)

John 3:16 is a passage that seems to show the problem with a Reformed doctrine of salvation.  It seems to be rather plain and simple that it is God who loves the world.  So, if God loves the world then how can God only apply the blessings of Christ to His people?  How would a Reformed person explain this text without explaining the whole text away?

An Unearned Gift (Romans 6:23; LD 4; COD Head 1 Article 1)

If we are honest we want to think that we are a little better than what we are.  Sin deceives all of us into thinking that we might be a little worthy of the Lord’s grace and favor.  How do we know that the gift we receive from God is something that is forced upon us?  What is the contrast of Romans 6:23 that drives home the gift that God has given to us?  How do we know that we have not earned this free gift from the hand of God?

So, Are We Really that Bad? (LD 3; COD 3;4; 3; Genesis 8:21)

 It would be nice if we could make ourselves a little worthy of grace or maybe earn some of God’s favor during our life.  The reality is that we cannot earn the Lord’s favor no matter how hard we work at it.  So, why do we continue to press forward if we cannot please God anyway?  Or maybe we are just exaggerating and man is not that bad.  So, is mankind really so sinful that we cannot work to receive grace?

“Yes, We Really are THAT Bad” (LD 2; COD 3;4; 3-4; Genesis 6:1-13)

So often we want to think that we are not really that bad or that we are pretty good to put it positively.  In fact, in American culture we don’t like hearing that we are sinners because we want to think that we are pretty good or decent to say the least right? We want to believe that we are going to get better and at this point we are not perfect.  How can we cope with life if we are really sinful and by sinful I mean bad enough to do things that would absolutely make us shudder?  How do we overcome that struggle?