God's Choosing Vs Our Believing || Understanding Reformed Theology || Part 3 Of 5 Reasoning Through The Bible podcast

God's Choosing vs Our Believing || Understanding Reformed Theology || Part 3 of 5

1d ago 38:49

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This is Part 3 of a 5 Part series on the evaluation of Reformed Theology, also referred to as Calvinism. We hope you will join us for this complete series.

Does God choose us, or do we choose Him? This age-old theological question lies at the heart of Reformed Theology (Calvinism), and in this thought-provoking episode, we dive deep into the biblical text to find answers.
Moving beyond theoretical discussions, we examine the actual passages that form the foundation of Reformed thought. Starting with the Greek word "electos" (chosen), we explore what it means when applied to God's actions before the foundation of the world. Does God deliberate in His choices? Can an eternal God who knows all things actually "choose" in the way humans understand choice?
Ephesians 1:3-4 becomes our central text: "He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world." We carefully analyze what Paul means by being "in Christ" and whether God chooses specific individuals or establishes a mechanism for salvation. The subtle but crucial shift in Ephesians 1:12-13 from divine action ("He blessed, chose, predestined") to human response ("you listened, you believed") provides a fascinating window into the interplay between God's sovereignty and human responsibility.
Throughout our examination, we maintain a commitment to letting the text speak for itself rather than imposing theological systems onto Scripture. This approach reveals nuances often missed in heated debates between Calvinists and Arminians, suggesting that perhaps both sides capture important truths about salvation.
Whether you're a committed Calvinist, a strong proponent of free will, or simply seeking to understand what the Bible actually teaches, this episode offers fresh insights that will challenge your thinking and deepen your appreciation for God's redemptive work.

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Bible Passages Series (00:00:00)

2. Understanding the Word "Elect" (00:05:40)

3. God's Knowledge vs. Human Deliberation (00:09:30)

4. Paul's Concept of Being "In Christ" (00:15:20)

5. Examining Ephesians 1:3-4 (00:19:45)

6. Who Does the Choosing? (00:33:00)

7. The Shift in Ephesians 1: "You Believed" (00:38:35)

544 episodes