Articles

Predestination and God’s Sovereignty

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Predestination and God’s Sovereignty

Jesus says that hell was created “for the devil and his angels” and not for mankind (Matthew 25:41) …. which further confirms that God sent His only begotten Son to pay the price for sin “for the sins of the WHOLE world.” (1 John 2:2). The LORD is “NOT willing that ANY should perish” but would have “ALL men to be saved.” (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9)

Beginning in the early days of the Methodist Revival, John Wesley’s position on predestination became a controversial issue. His friend and partner in ministry George Whitefield was a staunch Calvinist, which meant that he believed that salvation was only available to those who had been elected by God, and that the elect would certainly be saved. Wesley was an Arminian, meaning he believed God’s gracious gift of salvation was available to all, though it could be rejected.

While Wesley and Whitefield began their conversations about predestination in private, it wasn’t long before “pamphlet warfare” flared up as each side began to publish sermons and open letters advocating for their positions. Wesley and Whitefield were able to reconcile to a certain extent, but the passionate and fiery debates left a mark on their relationship, and the Methodist movement as a whole. To this day, many see the predestination debate as an important dividing line in evangelicalism.

Why was John Wesley so resolute in his rejection of the Calvinist approach to predestination? There were two key concerns motivating his thinking on this question.

Two Key Concerns

The first key concern had to do with the character of God. Sometimes people mistakenly think that Wesley’s rejection of unconditional predestination was based on an overly optimistic view of human nature, as opposed to a more robust Calvinist understanding of depravity. In fact, Wesley agreed with the historic Calvinist position on total depravity. The real issue at stake was God’s character, rather than innate human abilities. Wesley felt that the idea of absolute unconditional predestination by divine decree was inconsistent with God’s justice, as well as his love and goodness.

This fundamental difference can be seen in the respective ways in which the Calvinist and Wesleyan traditions have approached the question of divine sovereignty. Generally speaking, the Calvinist tradition has seen sovereignty through the model of a ruling monarch, whereas Wesley conceived of sovereignty primarily through the model of a loving parent. The monarch’s power over his subjects is conceived primarily as an exercise of “will,” and hence, for Calvinists, the fact that some are saved while others are not is explained as a decision of the divine will. On the other hand, a parent’s power over their children is conceived primarily as an exercise of love. From this Wesleyan perspective, it is inconceivable that God, as a loving parent, would eternally decree some of his children to life and others to death.

Wesley’s second key concern related to the character of the Christian life. He worried that preaching a Calvinist approach to predestination would lead to antinomianism – living without any concern for the law of God. If salvation is unconditionally established by an eternal decree, why would any of us concern ourselves with obedience and discipleship?

Wesley felt the Calvinist approach therefore undercut the pursuit of holiness, because the connection between God’s gift and our response is marginalized. In his 1739 sermon, “Free Grace,” which ignited the first round of public controversy with Whitefield, Wesley wrote, “So directly does this doctrine tend to shut the very gate of holiness in general, to hinder unholy men from ever approaching thereto, or striving to enter thereat.”

The Biblical Position

It was on the basis of these two areas of concern that Wesley advocated for his evangelical Arminian position on predestination, which can be outlined in the following six points:

Total depravity is true in that the fallen human being is completely helpless and in bondage to sin. Yet Calvinists erroneously teach that man has no ability in his depravity to make the choice to obey the divine command to repent and trust Christ.
The atonement is universal in scope. Christ’s death was sufficient to atone for the sins of the whole world, not only an elect few, as proposed by five-point Calvinism.
Prevenient (or preceding) grace is universally available. God’s grace is present in our lives before we turn to Christ in faith, and this grace restores a measure of freedom so that we can respond to his gracious gift. This is how Wesley could affirm that all human persons were free to respond to the gospel in spite of total depravity—but note that the freedom which humans possess is a measure of freedom (not absolute freedom in all respects), and it is freedom-by-grace, not an inherent endowment of fallen humanity.
Grace is resistible and can be rejected, to our own destruction. God is actively drawing all people to himself, but his grace is not coercive.
Predestination is therefore based on God’s foreknowledge, not his will. That is, God corporately predestines all those who respond in faith to salvation, and by foreknowledge he knows who will respond. Yet the response of each person is truly theirs, because God’s foreknowledge does not cause their response.
Assurance of salvation is given by the Holy Spirit, who witnesses directly to our adoption as children of God through Christ, and whose fruit in our lives also provides confirmation that we are God’s children.

Jason Frost writes:

“What is predestination?

“Let’s look at it in a scholarly fashion. Some seem to love to add very subjective presuppositions into scripture and change definitives of words and contextual values. I pray this helps in your search for truth contextually.

προορίζω (proorizo): predetermine, to decide upon beforehand

ὁρίζω (horizo): (1) set limits to, define, explain; (2) determine, appoint, fix, set

William Arndt, Frederick W. Danker, and Walter Bauer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2000)

When the Scriptures speak of predestination, it is NEVER in regard to WHOM God will save, especially in a causal sense.

Predetermine/predestine (proorizo) is used six times, in five places in the NT (Acts 4:27-28; Romans 8:28-30 [2x]; 1Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:4-5, 11):

When the apostles were first threatened (Acts 4:18) by the rulers, elders, and scribes (Acts 4:5), they praised God in prayer for predetermining the conspiracy of Jews and Gentiles to crucify Christ (Acts 4:27-28).

The OT saints who love God (Romans 8:28), whom God knew beforehand (see Foreknow Word Study), were predetermined to be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). All who were predetermined were also called, justified, and glorified (Romans 8:30). Note that it does NOT say that they were predestined to believe, but those who LOVE God (i.e. already born again) are predestined for glory. So, what God predetermined was to conform all who love Him to the image of His Son.

Paul spoke of the hidden/concealed/secret mystery of the Messiah being crucified (1Corinthians 2:1-7) which God predetermined before the ages to our glory (1Corinthians 2:7).

God chose us IN Christ before the foundation of the world “in LOVE,” and He predetermined us to adoption “THROUGH Jesus Christ according to the favor/good-pleasure/desire of His will” (Ephesians 1:4-5). All who are IN HIM are chosen, as HE is the chosen One, and we are in Him by faith (Ephesians 1:13). The adoption is referring to the future redemption of our body (Romans 8:23). So, God predetermined to resurrect all who are or would be in His Son by faith.

In Christ, the early NT saints were appointed, predetermined according to the purpose of all-things, the One working according to the decision/intention of His will/desire towards the end that would be to the praise of God’s glory (Ephesians 1:11-12), speaking of those who BELIEVED the Gospel (Ephesians 1:13). Again, this is God predetermining that all who believe would bring Him glory.

Given the usage of the word in Scripture, the only things that God predetermined are the conspiracy of Jews and Gentiles to kill the Messiah (Acts 4:27-28), that Christ would be crucified (1Corinthians 2:1-7), that the first to hope in Christ would glorify Him (Ephesians 1:11-13), that those who BELIEVE in Christ would be adopted (Ephesians 1:4-5), and that those who LOVE Him would be conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-30). -Matt Hennessey”

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Calvinism Crushed

The Sovereignty of God as Defined by Calvinism vs Scripture [podcast]

Calvinism Demolished [podcast]

PEDDLERS OF THE LIE OF THE AGES

Articles

The Psychology of Eternal Security [book]

What’s Behind this Popular Belief?

ALL of Todd’s books on Amazon in both print and kindle versions

Grace Perverting Wolves and the People They Deceive Exposed

An epidemic of grace-perverting wolves have hi-jacked the modern church world and are leading millions to damnation, all while fully believing that they are unconditionally eternally secure. We can easily observe a cross-less generation of professing Christians who claim to be saved and hide behind this damning heresy in fulfillment of the Holy Spirit’s severe warning of a people who “heap to themselves” false teachers who despise truth and tickle their ears (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:1-7; 4:2-4).

Saving grace does not grant the recipient a license to sin but to ‘live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world’ (Titus 2:11-12).

What is the profile of those who buy this flesh-flattering package of falsehoods which contradict the clear teachings of Christ and His holy apostles? What was Jude’s warning about these corrupted false teachers who pervert the saving grace of God for their own self-serving purposes and whom we are mandated to “earnestly contend” against? (Jude 3-4)

Why do pastors espouse and teach this doctrine? Find out in the enlightening volume.

Chapter One: The Psychology of Eternal Security

Chapter Two: The Reason People Believe OSAS

Chapter Three: OSAS and the Dupes Who Defend It

Chapter Four: Sweet Jesus, the Eternal Security Savior?

Chapter Five: Biblical Proof of Being Backslidden

Chapter Six: The Spirit of Antichrist Underlies OSAS

Chapter Seven: How are Jesus’ People Identified?

Chapter Eight: Honest, Prosperous Hearts

Chapter Nine: Will Everyone Jesus has Saved be in Heaven?

Chapter Ten: Unconditional LOVE Examined

Chapter Eleven: Salvation is Not a One-Time Experience but a Lifelong Walk

Chapter Twelve: What is the Root Cause of Believing OSAS?

Chapter Thirteen: Calling Out all Evangelical Pastors on Their So-Called “Doctrines of Grace”

Chapter Fourteen: Calvinism is a Fraud

Chapter Fifteen: Calvinism: The Curse and Apostasy of America’s Evangelical Churches

Chapter Sixteen: The Initial and Perpetual Condition of Salvation

Addendum: Making Peace with God.

BUY HERE ON STORE

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THIS BOOK:

AMAZON REVIEW: 5 STARS: “Latest book is a beautiful read: Buckle Up reader! This book is going to rock your world and empower you even greater to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and share it effectively. Don’t look for a read that is going to tickle your ears (we have enough of that within the Christian book world today) but look to be enlightened as Todd continues in The Psychology of Eternal Security to expose a not-so-subtle wave that has taken hold of the Church today. God’s Word stands strong and true and stands the test of time. However, knowingly or even unknowingly, the gospel in many fellowships has been seemingly hijacked and replaced with heretical teachings. The “tell me what my itching ears want to hear” teachings. Once again, Todd uses an incredible amount of scripture as he helps unfold what transpires in us when we become truly saved. For me, the underlying theme of his message in this latest book is to maintain a close relationship with God, thereby being strengthened and empowered to endure life’s trials in an imperfect world while being a light to the lost. This book is beautifully written in the no holds barred but lovingly delivered style that is Todd Tomasella. I am glad to add this latest volume to my library and know that, like his other books I’ve read, will return to its pages again and again.”

5 Star Review on Amazon: The Psychology of Eternal Security: “CAUTION: This book is not for those who want to be comforted in a lie! This book is filled with scripture and the message is one that needs desperately to be heard today! This will likely not be a popular book because many do not want the truth, however if you’re tired of having your ears scratched get this book read it. I believe many…if they would search the scriptures would be surprised that they have been misled in this vital Church doctrine! If you want the truth God will open your eyes, if you don’t God will allow you to keep them closed to the truth. Jesus said: “Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand.”

“What a great book! Get all your questions answered—and more—about what takes place in our souls when we first get saved. I asked that question many years ago and couldn’t find anyone who could give me a biblical answer. This book clearly brings home the fact that as born-again believers, we have the responsibility to keep our garments clean by abiding in Christ and following His commandment to die to ourselves and take up the cross and follow Him. If we sin, we need to ‘confess our sins’ and God ‘is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.’ This abiding in Christ is first and foremost a relationship, out of which our love for God grows, and that love for Christ, fed and empowered by His grace, brings forth “good fruit”—the keeping of His commandments. This book is so loaded with Scripture that you won’t be the same after reading it. You will be equipped to minister to others of God’s saving grace—and what our part is as we abide in Christ, and empowered by His grace “endure to the end” to be received joyfully in Heaven to spend a glorious eternity with our loving Lord who “loved us and gave Himself for us!” Debbie Lord

Buy Print Copy Now (click below)

Foreword

By Frank Telford

The truth in the chapters you are about to read is the difference between life and death. It is that important. What this author has written about is so vital to the church today that it should be read by everyone.

Paul gave a stern warning to Timothy that in the last days believers would be swept away by seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Think about that for a moment. What this author is saying is that the origin of some teachings from the pulpit do not come from the Holy Spirit. They come from Satan and his demons to seduce believers into a state of ineffective lukewarmness, or even worse, to get them to depart from their faith in Christ completely. We have to ask ourselves how the devil is successful in this mission when believers are armed with the Word of God.

This book will give you a unique insight into two different paradigms. On one side, we have church members who are not really interested in serving God but they want a ticket to heaven. On the other side, we have false teachers who fill their churches by preaching a message of comfort, regardless if its members are spiritually dead. They have enriched themselves by telling their members what they want to hear and not the full truth of the Gospel. Their incomplete message gives those who want to hear it an excuse to live however they please with the comfort that if they profess their belief in Jesus one time, they will be saved for eternity, regardless of their actions.

Consider the deadly ramifications when someone believes “once saved always saved” is true. A person can get saved, walk several years with the Lord, then turn away from Christ and become a homosexual, and believe that he will face no eternal consequences like the rest of the world will. A believer, when faced with the choice to take the mark of the beast, would then be comforted (falsely) by thinking that he can take the mark and still be saved for an eternity in Heaven.

This book is of vital importance because it is shining a light on this doctrine of devils that has true eternal consequences.

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Abiding

10 Truths to Behold in Isaiah 41:10 [podcast]

“Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not
cast thee away. 10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee:
be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen
thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold
thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Isaiah 41:9-10

There are 10 truths to behold in Isaiah 41:10:

• “Thou art my servant”
• “I have chosen thee”
• “and not cast thee away”
• “Fear thou not”
• “I am with thee”
• “be not dismayed”
• “for I am thy God”
• “I will strengthen thee”
• “I will help thee”
• “I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness”

The soul that prospers is that one who clings to, trusts in and
relies upon Christ alone, day by day, walking ever nearer to
the soon coming Savior. He is with us and promises to “never
leave thee, nor forsake thee”—that is, for those who abide
with Christ (Hebrews 13:5).

1 Peter 1

“Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Prayer: Dear LORD, thank You for helping me today, and
continuing the good work of salvation You began in me the
moment You saved me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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The Importance of Personal, Organic Bible Study [podcast]

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Apostasy

The Goal of the Ungodly Eternal Security Teachers [podcast]

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (license to sin), and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 3-4

“This is AWESOME! You got all over it. It really flowed. Excellent! In the delivery, your excitement and passion for this subject are unmistakable. How can ANYONE listen to this and not want to check out the Word of God for themselves?” Debbie L.

“Thy prophets (false leaders) have seen vain and foolish things for thee: and they have not discovered (exposed) thine iniquity (have not uncovered your sin), to turn away thy captivity (to get you set free from it); but have seen for thee false burdens and causes of banishment (ultimate termination into hell).” Lamentations 2:14

COUNTERFEITS who hide behind their OSAS fairy tale HATE this biblical reality and are willing to call the LORD a liar in order to retain this heresy – “And he that overcometh, and KEEPETH my works UNTO THE END, to him will I give power over the nations:” (Revelation 2:26)

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The Love of Many Shall Wax Cold [podcast]

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His Wife Hath Made Herself Ready [podcast]

What’s going to happen in a marriage where one or both partners refuse to confess, own up to their mistakes, their violations of the other person and the integrity of that marriage? Such a marriage may regrettably, end. Pride. – “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18) Will not the same end come to the relationship where a man has been saved by Christ and then becomes hardened in heart later, and refuses to acknowledge, confess, and forsake his sin? Yes. (Hebrews 3:6, 12-15; 10:26-39, etc.) “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: […]