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| Chuck's new specially designed shades to his prevent his red dome from exploding? |
During our Zoom meeting Sunday evening, July 12, 2020, one of
the subjects that arose was Reformed theology within the evangelical church.
Briefly and very non-exhaustively, from my final PhD revisions, is some
biblical work in regards to the New Testament concept of predestination.
2010 Theodicy and Practical Theology: PhD thesis, the University of Wales, Trinity Saint David, Lampeter
In my mind, the concept of compatibilism,
although the term is not used,[1] is implied in
Scripture. The subject of predestination for salvation, for example,
is a complex theological discussion and could be a topic for a Biblical Greek
thesis.[2] However, within
Ephesians 1,[3] ‘predestined’ which is
προορίσας[4] within Ephesians 1: 5,[5] and in the context is
‘predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ’[6] and προορισθέντες[7] at Ephesians 1: 11,
as in ‘we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined
according to his purpose’[8] appear to support
Reformed compatibilist notions. Strong defines proorizw[9] which is the root word
connected to the forms of the word in Ephesians 1, as to limit in advance in
figurative terms,[10] and to predetermine,
determine before, ordain, and predestinate.[11] Bauer defines the
root word as meaning to decide before hand, predestine of God and applies this
definition to Ephesians 1: 5 and 11.[12] Minimally, there
appears reasonable textual support from this verse[13] that could support a
Reformed compatibilistic perspective on how God chooses persons for his
ultimate culminated Kingdom.
There are incompatibilist, evangelical
counters to the Reformed view.[14] Ephesians
scholar Francis Foulkes (1989) explains that predestination is not in
opposition to human free will.[15] The gospel of
grace was offered to all persons,[16] and those persons that
accepted the message were elected.[17] Foulkes insists
that the human faith required rests totally on God and not in self.[18] Foulkes then
shifts the issue to the idea that election is not simply salvation, but also
holiness of life.[19] He defines
predestined as ‘marked beforehand.’[20] It is understood
as a divine, eternal plan.[21] Foulkes
presentation is commendable and reasonable and although his definition is
similar to that of Strong[22] and Bauer,[23] he appears to downplay
a deterministic aspect of the word.[24] I do not agree,
but inevitably, even with the use of linguistic sources there is room for
debate and I lean toward a compatibilistic understanding based on Ephesians 1.[25]
[1] The term being a modern philosophical one.
[2] This is not a Biblical Studies PhD and I was therefore
advised to limit my Biblical work within this thesis, but I seek accuracy in my
Biblical interpretations.
[3] A key Chapter for Reformed views on compatibilism.
[4] The Greek New Testament (1993: 654).
[5] The Greek New Testament (1993: 654).
[6] The New American Standard Version Bible (1984: 1322).
[7] The Greek New Testament (1993: 655).
[8] The New American Standard Version Bible (1984: 1322).
[9] Strong (1890)(1986: 81).
[10] Strong (1890)(1986: 81).
[11] Strong (1890)(1986: 81).
[12] Bauer (1979: 709).
[13] I realize many other verses could be examined concerning
this subject. I provide Ephesians 1 as a prime Reformed example
within a limited space allotted for this topic.
[14] Foulkes (1989: 55).
[15] Foulkes (1989: 55).
[16] Foulkes (1989: 55). Browning (1997: 301).
[17] Foulkes (1989: 55). Browning writes that the
New Testament does not state that those that reject this offer are damned to
hell. Browning (1997: 301).
[18] Foulkes (1989: 55). Frankly, Foulkes does not
explain how this works within his incompatibilistic system.
[19] Foulkes (1989: 55). I can agree that God does
work out holiness in his people.
[20] Foulkes (1989: 56).
[21] Foulkes (1989: 56).
[22] Strong (1890)(1986: 81).
[23] Bauer (1979: 709).
[24] Foulkes (1989: 55-56).
[25] I can still consider incompatibilistic notions and other
perspectives, when needed.
---
BAUER, WALTER. (1979) A
Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Translated by Eric H. Wahlstrom, Chicago, The University of Chicago Press.
BROWNING, W.R.F. (1997) Dictionary
of the Bible, Oxford, Oxford University Press.
FRANKE, JOHN R. (2005) The
Character of Theology, Baker Academic, Grand Rapids.
FOULKES, FRANCIS (1989) Ephesians, Grand Rapids,
Inter-Varsity Press.
STRONG, J. (1890)(1986) Strong's
Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Burlington, Welch Publishing Company.
THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT (1993) Stuttgart, United
Bible Societies.
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| Was 'The Rage' counting his millions? |
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| Another Zoom, virtual background distortion or my reaction to radiation from Chuck's red dome? |
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| Perhaps the best reaction of the night arose from shared thoughts of Charles Nelson Chuckles as a 'world dictator' with the Red Dome or Red Skull society or like. Even the Norwegian Benny Hill was thinking 'That is nuts!, we could get away with everything!' What would one of Chuck's punishments be...a Dairy Queen banishment? |
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