The Lapsarianism of Predestination

Posted on February 24, 2012 by timlyg

It is also interesting to note a few leaders of reformation synods (Dort: Franciscus Gomarus & Wesminster Assembly: William Twisse) are supralapsarianists despite the fact that the majority bodies of the councils are infralapsarianists.

In a layman's view, supralapsarianism and infralapsarianism could just be the logical understanding of "The Fall illustrates election of God" and "Election of God illustrates the Fall", respectively. So there are those who see no need to touch on such connection of the two terms: election and the fall, and there are those who see no reason to distinguish the two statements. A denial of "Election of God illustrates the Fall" by the infralapsarianists would create a void as to why would God "plan" the Fall in the first place and risk saying God as the author of the fall.

I would say if I really have to take a view, I would take many sides since the terminologies are here and there. However, I would appear leaning towards supralapsarianism. Amyraldianism's rejection of limited atonement is just a confusion of its terminology, to my believe. Because limited atonement is the title of "sufficient for all, efficient for the elects".

The main offense an infralapsarianist would take against supralapsarianists is on the matter if God's the source of evil (while this accusation could also be used against the infra-: That God is the author of sin), and the definition of good grace. I can only say, while some are, not all supralapsarianists are to be accused of those. God is not the source of evil. But that doesn't mean we should be sympathetic to the arminians, which is how I sometimes see infralapsarianists are doing. If God elects some, that means God reprobates the rest, it is not necessary to say God merely "pass over" the rest and obscure the reprobate terminology.

So to me,

God sets aside elects and reprobates as light and darkness. Elects are from sinners. As light departs darkness.
The salvation is sufficient for all, but efficient for the elects only. So, God is not to be blamed for a sinner's damnation.
It is not seen, a freedom, for light and darkness, but in man, we see such mysterious element called freedom.
Therefore, we know that God is not only sovereign over day and night (but not responsible for any evil of any - viz. darkness), but He is sovereign over this mysterious element called freedom (and not responsible for any evil), which is but His creation, also.

I believe contention of this sort is due to the temptation we sometimes suffer to ordain who are the elects and reprobates ourselves in this world. For which the remedy, I think, is hope, it is neither skepticism nor obstinacy, but a genuinely honest hope (Matthew 10:16 - Wise as serpents, harmless as doves).

I shall also add this to Reflection category as I need to further meditate on this.

 

It has also come to my attention lately that such debate is relevant to another debate: That if Christ's human nature was created/taken upon or uncreated and eternal. I remember Dr. Tong made a good point: That if it is "added" to Christ, then Christ was not complete to begin with. This topic is too broad for my ability right now, it is sufficient to say that if the matter is taken indiscriminately, heresy is very possible. Despite the fact that this debate is usually among orthodox believers.

And for my own note, noted exponents of Supralapsarianism:

1. Franciscus Gomarus

2. William  Twisse

3. Abraham Kuyper

4. Arthur Pink

5. Theodore Beza

6. Herman Hoeksema

Resources worth using but with measure: wikipedia and http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/articles/sup_infr.htm

Posted in Reflection, Theologization | 1 Comment

Funny Notions of Support or caring from Chinese Churches of the Western Influenced

Posted on February 23, 2012 by timlyg

First they ask me to do certain services for the church, in essence, I was being asked and I agreed, thus connoting my "volunteerism", but ultimate it was a favor for them; A duty for God, but a favor for them nonetheless. For they dare not argue otherwise, without crossing the border between volunteerism and obedience, since the tool that they use, is volunteerism.

So, it is their folly for them to even suggest a threat to me, that they would refuse my certain request, if I have any, should I not do certain things their way. It is the stupidest suggestion, since they (Thus far, I have only met two of such imbeciles both of which are female in the leadership) would assume that I would ever require favor from them, not to mention all I have done was favors for them. Should they dare to think their "request of favor" from me is their way of commanding or encouraging people to serve God and Church, then it would do harm only on them and not me, whether I agreed or not to fulfil their request, because it reveals their dishonesty and wickedness. Asking a favor from someone and urging someone to serve are very very different matter. One should not mix them. It may pass the moral test of say...the Chinese culture, but it is a ticket to perdition in God's eyes.

Secondly, there is also this notion, that if they ask me to do certain service, and I refuse, then it gives them the right to accuse me of not caring. But then I shall ask: When the parents give away their children to someone as caretaker, and if he refused to accept this in the first place, should the parents say to this man - "Oh you irresponsible and uncaring parent". Judge not, lest ye be judged.

Ultimately, the question lies in whether or not it is a mutual agreement that we serve God with the same vision. It is a great sin for a wrong assumption in this case. But on the flip side, it is also not right to be skeptical of others all the time. So in this, I have greatly admired my mentor Rev. Dr. Stephen Tong.

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Photoshop CS5 crashes on image file open

Posted on February 23, 2012 by timlyg

Solution is to just unclick "Enable OpenGL Drawing" in Edit->Preferences->General->Performances

Thanks to: Diedhert.

 

 

As stated before - it is a video card problem (driver).

I didn't succeeded to open any file.

I finally sorted it out.

Go to Edit > Preferences > General

Choose Performance - unclick 'Enable OpenGL Drawing'.

(How bizarre ... to figure it out if it really was due to this option, I clicked it back on ... everything works now).

Diederik 

Posted in Technical | Leave a comment

The start of modern theology

Posted on February 22, 2012 by timlyg

On Monday, I had to opportunity to finally meet Rev. Dr. Stephen Tong in person. It was a great privilege.

I remember one of his message vividly, "I believe modern liberal theology is the greatest cult in history!". And he stared at me as though either he wanted that message to sink into my head or to assure me that we are on the same page.

It is so critical, that he had emphasized that working together with certain churches, especially ones influenced by the cult, is as one trying to put new wine into old bottles.

It is also to my pleasure to find that we both held in common the view against rotating leadership in a bible study group (James 3:1).

My further reading and study is based on his mentioning of Ferdinand Christian Baur in 1850, began the 新派神學 movement. Also, Adolf von Harnack's "What is Christianity?" (Das Wesen des Christentums).

I shall also follow the booklist of Momentum Book Store on Facebook.

Posted in Theologization | Leave a comment

Against Social Gospel

Posted on February 22, 2012 by timlyg

While much accusation by the Social Gospel movement towards that which is its very core cause of existence is true. So it is fair to say so.

However, today many have praised social gospel too much, to a point where they marry the first mandate (Evangelization) with the culture mandate into a single mandate, or, evangelization in the guise of culture mandate.

Therefore, social gospel in this direction, is an excuse to saying God is unloving, and its proponents' love is not love but bribery (one which my pastor tried to cover by praising me that how I am bribe-proof - but praising someone of something doesn't excuse one from blamelessness of which the praise is against).

Posted in Theologization | Leave a comment

Vocab: Indiscriminately

Posted on February 22, 2012 by timlyg

It can be positively used to mean against "discrimination". But it is also a strong term to mean "隨便", which I have often translated as arbitrarily.

Posted in Vocabularies | Leave a comment

The Dialogue of the test of Gospel War of the Extremists

Posted on February 21, 2012 by timlyg

Mysto: Well, my fellow middle easterners, you want America defeated?

Audience: Yes!

Mysto: That's easy. Convert to Christianity, whole heartedly. Not just in your mouths, but your hearts too. And America...will fall!

Audience: How can this be?!

Mysto: Because right now, no one is on God's side. But do be reminded, that as Christians, your satisfaction is not in your vengeance, but love for your enemies, should you understand this, you shall triumph over the infidels.

Posted in Dialogues | Leave a comment

Interesting spammers in my journal

Posted on February 21, 2012 by timlyg

It is interesting because I believe these spammers who leave their waste comments in my threads do not pay attention to my entries but act as though they do so that hopefully, their spams with advertisement links could stay on forever.

Ever since my upgrade to the system, cleaning has been much easier.

Although, I am curious, what kind of message would they need to see to really get their attention, something that cuts through their heart at in instance so much that their original intent is distracted.

Posted in Questions | 1 Comment

Tchaikovsky Correction

Posted on February 21, 2012 by timlyg

I have heard one said that it was the second movement that Tchaikovsky in his Piano Concerto No. 1, put a tune played beggar on the street.

After research, I find that this blind beggas refrain is actually in the popular 1st movement, not second. [pg. 346 The Life and Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky]

Posted in Music | 1 Comment

Problem of Leading A Bible Study

Posted on February 21, 2012 by timlyg

It is often argued that leading and teaching are different in the church. It is not the purpose of my entry here. Except that I would just say, I disagree: If one lead a Bible study, one is teaching. So it is not wise to have a rotating "leading" roster that just about any believer in the group can lead.

Now to the main topic:

Should I be asked to lead even when I just joined in, of course most likely I would...not because I accept some recognition, but so that they won't say of me "He just loves to criticize and never do anything himself". However, I would most likely refused first - unless they show desparation, then the usual response would be "He does not care for the group". "On the contrary", I would respond, "I do love the group, and really wish to accept the position and lead, however, let's be clear here, that it is not only I who is being evaluated or approved, but that I am also evaluating and approving you."

Posted in Reflection | Leave a comment