Two People, One Saved, One Unsaved: What Made the Difference?
Differences in theology often come down to articulation. Take the mechanics of salvation and damnation as an example. To reduce the number of variables, let’s imagine twin brothers. Of course, being twins, they both have basically the same upbringing, they both have the same parents, they attend the same schools, they go to the same church, have a lot of the same friends. They have, as much as is practical, the same life. Of course, to talk about them, they’ll need names, so let’s call them Angel and Cretin. Perhaps you see where I am going with this.
Angel, believes on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and by grace through faith, is received into the family of God. Cretin does not. They each die in their respective states.
Now here is my question for you: What caused the difference between these two people? What is it that made the one accept Christ and the other to reject him? Was it environment? Was it genetic? Do you deny that such a scenario could even occur?
Answering questions like this will tell you quite a bit about your faith.
Give it a shot.
Powered by FireStats
January 5th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I perceive, perhaps incorrectly, that you and I are on different sides of the “Reformed Divide.” Thus, my answer is rather simple. Cretin chose not to accept the truth that was presented to him. For me, any other explanation implies an arbitrary and capricious God whose creation was designed ultimately to consign a certain number of entities to everlasting torment. I appreciate the reformed view, but why have a judgment if the answer of some will be “You didn’t choose me.”
Cheers.
January 5th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Randall,
I appreciate the response. The question I have, is what made Cretin choose as he did? Where did that difference in him come from? I know Wesley describes Prevenient Grace as the grace that God gives men that they might freely choose Him, but what I want to know is what makes one man take that grace and see God as lovng and good and another man take that grace and hate God? If the grace is given equally to all men, it must be something in each man that is unequal. What I’m asking is what is that difference that grace cannot overcome?
That’s what I’ve never heard articulated in a way that helps me understand it.
Again, thanks for the read and the response,
Take care,
Charles
January 5th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
I’m not sure that question has an answer, because everyone’s metaphysical journey is different. I will say, I think God made Man with the ability to choose; the ability to obey or disobey. I think the Holy Spirit touches each Man’s heart when s/he is confronted with Truth. Why some choose Truth and others do not, I do not know. Perhaps it is simply that Falsehood and Lies are more attractive. As with Adam and Eve in the garden, the taste of the Fruit was more attractive than obedience. Why did they choose that, when they walked with God, Himself. It is in the nature of God’s creation, perhaps simply because God wanted to create a being which would love Him of the being’s on volition. Thus, he created Man and gave him the power to reject the creator.