Saturday, July 7, 2012

The devil is not a Calvinist

The devil is not a Calvinist.  It would be difficult to make a case for him not being a subscriber to Augustinian/Calvinist notions of predestination because he is ignorant of the Word.  The devil understands scripture and uses it when/if he can to accomplish his purposes.  The temptation of Jesus in the wilderness is partly a trial of the priority of the written word (Luke 4:1-13). 
The devil would have no reason to afflict mankind if the outcome was predetermined.  What would be the point of bothering about lost souls and trying to trap them in sin?  The devil does not accept this predetermined perspective and neither does Jesus. 
When Jesus is exclaiming His agony over the lostness of Jerusalem, He does not condemn those whom He has named the sons of the devil (Pharisees).  Instead, He leaves them with the question, "How can you escape the damnation of hell?" (Matthew 23:33)  If Jesus, who is God Himself, leaves room for salvation to the sons of the devil, who is Calvin that he can erect a system of reprobation wherein he preaches lies about the work of the Holy Spirit, blaspheming as he goes?
Apparently it is worth it to God (Jesus is God) to enter into our condition and fight against evil and darkness so that we, through Him, may be granted access to those same weapons of warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).  He calls us to the cross so that we may enlist -- none of us was drafted before we existed or before the cross opened the enlistment office.
Come to the cross.

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