Saturday, January 12, 2013

Why I Hope Calvinism is True.

I asked theologian Randal Rauser if one can consistently believe in Calvinism - the view that God predestines people to Heaven or Hell - and also believe in Universalism - the view that everybody eventually gets saved and goes to Heaven. His answer was that yes, the two views are compatible.

So for the first time in my life, I hope that Calvinism is true.  Here's why:  Christians know - or should know - that God loves each and every one of us (regardless of our race, creed, color, gender, or sexual preference), and if it were up to Him, He would predestine all of us for Heaven.  The opposing view to Calvinism is known as Arminianism, which says that our salvation is ultimately a matter of our free will.  God can save us, but only if we let Him.  If we choose not to let Him, then we are choosing Hell and, as C.S. Lewis put it, locking the door from the inside.

Thus, if Calvinism is true, then all of us will be saved.  If Arminianism is true, then we may or may not be saved, depending on what we choose.  Given a choice between those two views, I would much rather have Calvinism be true.

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