Hey Gang- well, the grades are in - I pulled off a 3.2 and the worst grade I got was a B - PTL! For the last week (and upcoming one), I've been embroiled in the first of two semesters of what is called "Survey of Christian Doctrine I" - otherwise know as Integrative (or systematic) Theology. So far, I absolutely love it. This is a shock, as I thought it would be a pointless exercise in dogma - but far from it. I am finding invaluable information in solidifying my own theology as well as application to practical apologetics. This weekend I have been deeply wresting with understanding Calvinism and Arminianism. I have quickly come to understand there is a deep divide in these systems of theology and those that stand behind each position. I have to give a presentation on Arminianism this week, so I have been focusing on this position mostly. It seems that it have been both deeply defamed in history and (at least somewhat) twisted in modern application; thus most Calvinists view Arminianism as aberrant theology. The real issue seems to be over predestination. Hard core Calvinists seem to hold that God preordained the Fall, thus salvation was planed from the beginning of time and that certain people are preordained by God (elected) to go to heaven and some to hell - this is supposed to maintain God's sovereignty . Armininism seems to hold that God has offered his free abounding Grace to all, and though he (may?) know who will accept and who won't, it is up to humans (free will) to choose or deny this free gift of grace in Jesus. Calvinists feel that this position undermines the sovereignty of God, while Arminists hold that the Calvinist position makes savaltion compulsory (you don't have a choice of being saved, God has either counted you in or out already). Let's get some discussion going on this - I'm leaning toward Arminism at this point as it seems that Calvinism makes God manipulative at best and whimsical at worst! Attached are a list of redicously complicated words that I'm learning - thought I'd throw them in for kicks and giggles!
Theophany - a physical appearance of God to a person
a se - from himself (aseity)
avatar - an incarnation or embodiment (usually referred to in Hinduism)
Monism - the doctrine that there is only one ultimate substace beit matter, mind or a third thing that is has its basis in both
Demiurge - creator
Plenitude - whole/entire
Soterlogical - salvation through Jesus
Propitiatry - to win or gain the good will of
adumbration - foreshadow; sketch; overshadow
Supralapsarian - hyper-Calvinist doctrine that believes God's plan of salvation and election began before the Fall
Infralapsarianism (or Sublapsarianism) - moderate Calvinist who believe God' plan of salvation began after the fall
tautological - needless repetition
Teleogically - final causation
Reprobation - rejection by God for salvation
Please Pray this month:
- I need a good plan for meeting with my mentors - pray that this would come together well (it's a mess right now)
- Transition into the new semester (I'm taking fewer credits (14))
- A plan to visit RI - I'm finally getting a little home sick - pray that God would show me how to visit and when
- Witness here at my apartment complex: there are many here who might benefit from an informal Bible study and I'm thinking of starting a group or test-piloting a group - pray for discernment.
