Does God Decree Whatsoever Comes to Pass?

Dr. Leighton Flowers replies to a recent broadcast by Dr. James White in which he uses three proof texts about God's decrees to support the Calvinistic doctrine of theistic determinism (ie 'God has sovereignly and unchangeable decreed whatsoever come to pass').

Psalm 2; Job 23 and Eph. 1

Do any of these passages even come close to suggesting theistic determinism is true? Let's explore that question together... JOIN US LIVE!

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[coryrobert]

I left Christianity years ago after coming across Calvinism and seeing how popular of a belief system it was, I just couldn't follow a God that really was the way they said he was, thankfully your ministry and a few others brought me back home and now I feel more connected and close to God than I ever have in my life. Thank you for your work Dr. Flowers.

[JStevensdk]

Thank you Dr Flowers and team for your continued efforts to help reform the reformed. The true gospel of Christ and true nature of God must be defended. Not because God needs it, but because He deserves it.

[FromWarWithLove]

Thank you Leighton! I've realized that I've been fatalistic in my normal everyday practices and it's led to my foolish actions being justified by "God's will be done." God wants me to be wise and commit myself to making the best choices in my life. That's His will for my life. Amen.

[housefamily]

That Calvinist "feeling" that all Calvinists are able to relate to reminds me of how Mormoms will point back to a feeling they had when they realized Mormonism was true.

[mikaelarkanghel]

Why would God sorrow or even have great anger over the actions of men if He hath determined it all anyway?

[AlaskanMissions]

How can a Calvinist say "I might be wrong or later I might come to a better understanding?" They should say "I might be deceived by God right now and he may give me the truth later.

[lionoffireministries]

I love this Chanel!
It also makes me slightly nauseous having to listen to what the Calvinists believe 😂

[melissaschubert]

Calvinism breeds pride - it is the underlying doctrine that breeds it

[mannycano]

Billions of choices not a problem for God

[jimmygray]

Brian Abasciano once responded to a question I had about the Greek grammar of Ephesians 1:11, and if it could support the reading that God works out all things which are in agreement with His will -- meaning not that God literally works all things without distinction, but only the distinct things which He has pleased (by His will) to do. Abasciano confirmed that this is a valid interpretation of the Greek. Indeed, some bible translations render it along these lines. For instance, the CEV has it as, "God always does what he plans...", and the ISV has, "In the Messiah we were also chosen when we were predestined according to the purpose of the one who does everything that he wills to do".

This could be a re-affirmation of what we see in Isaiah 46:10b, "...I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’"

Of course, the more common reading can also be accurate, but also understood in the sense that God is working to get good out of all things, including the free sinful actions of people (which He suffers to occur but also redeems), similar to what I think Romans 8:28 is saying and what Joseph may be getting at in Genesis 50:20.

[Myrdden]

I love how White starts off...many disagree with me, but that's due to their pride and lack of humility. I mean, essentially that's what he said about why there is disagreement on this matter (i.e., why others disagree with him, why he's in the minority on this, etc.). Some humility he has!

[cousinbryan]

So, on Calvinism, wouldn't sharing the gospel (or even the good news of Calvinism) with someone who rejects it be like me building a robot programmed to flip a light switch that I wired not to work?

[EmperrHrde]

James White: "God decrees whatsoever comes to pass."
Leighton Flowers: "Calvinists believe God decrees whatsoever comes to pass."
James White: "OH MY GOSH, CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS GUY?!"

[jonhilderbrand]

Calvinist: "We're right, and when you figure out we're right, then you can be humble like us, too." This is far from humility, it's overweening arrogance. And this, "Well, Calvinists are just so much more intelligent, and smart people realize more readily that we are right..." where is the humility in that attitude? This is a nauseating doctrine if it breeds this level of hubris.
Thanks for the channel, Bro. Flowers! You are doing God's work!

[otiscorn]

How can any determinist (atheist or calvinist) get around the fact that every time they complain about how things are they are complaining about God's will? Or in the case of the atheist, mother nature. To me that's the height of foolishness.

[marycollis]

This teaching on Job is amazing. Thanks for explaining it so well.

[awesomefacepalm]

JW says in the beginning that the doctrine that God decrees everything we do "requires submission".
Doesn't he see the irony in what he said?

[mannycano]

Because God is maximally the most brilliant and knows

[melissaschubert]

They are sad, depressing, hopeless doctrines - unbiblical and pharisaical- thus if you question it, instead of rational conversation, it results in Calvinists coming to the conclusions that they are smarter and better than all others who claim Christ and get very angry and haughty when questioned, rather than humbly considering that God is different than what their human system is. Thus the hierarchy of Calvinism - Calvinists being the best of all.

[raquelsolerbellido]

Amazing! Continue on! Keep going! God is using you for such a time as this! Thank you so much for clarifying this subject.