Challies wants to hear from those that have become Reformed in theology on the following issues:
As you began to understand Reformed principles, what were your greatest and most pressing questions about this system of theology?
What aspects of Reformed theology most troubled you and were the most difficult to reconcile in your mind?
What resources did you turn to to help you explore the Reformed faith? Was it only Bible study that led you to Reformed beliefs or did you rely on secondary sources as well? Which were the most helpful resources (teachers, books, web sites, etc)?
Are there still questions that remain? Are there certain aspects of Reformed theology that you continue to wrestle with or that you simply do not understand?
How confident are you now in your ability to understand, defend and apply the principles of the Reformed faith?
2 Comments
Man - perfect timing. I finished reading Geisler’s Chosen but Free, and the response from James White the Potter’s Freedom..
Geisler asks: who made the Devil sin? James White doesn’t answer the question and I wish he did.
Another question is: how do we avoid double-predestination?
I’ve just started reading some articles by John Piper, and he’s really good. I’m taking my time reading and learning about predestination because I really want to understand it - especially as it relates to the problem of suffering and evil.
Any book recommendations would be great.
Edgar,
I would recommend that you read Jonathan Edwards. He looks at the problem of where sin came from in Freedom of the Will and Original Sin and also Concerning Divine Decrees. Much of what you will read by Piper comes from Edwards.
I’ve not read either book, Chosen But Free and The Potter’s Freedom, so I don’t know exactly what White is responding to in Geisler’s book. Edwards is not afraid to tackle the issue; I don’t think Piper is either.
Also, check out R. C. Sproul’s book Chosen by God as he deals with “double-predestination.” They way he goes about this idea is that there are two ways to look at this. 1.) God works in a positive action sin in the reprobate and grace/mercy in the elect. 2.) God works a negative act (does not act) in the already sinful reprobate and a positive act of grace in the elect. In option 2, which Sproul advocates, the reprobate is already sinful and thus God does not need to actively work sin in his/her heart because it is already sinful. God need only to remove the graces that hold back the sin in his/her life. This reflects the language of Romans 9:22-23 in which the verb that says the vessels of wrath were prepared by God is a passive verb while the verb for preparing the vessels of mercy is an active verb.
I will say this, understanding how the Bible (i.e. Gen. 6:5, Romans 8:7-8) describes the utterly helpless and depraved condition of man, I rejoice at predestination because without it, no one would be saved (cf. Acts 13:48).