Does 2 Peter 3:9 DESTROY Calvinism?

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[Yesica]

I didn't grow up going to church. I never read the Bible until I got saved at 18. My church was a small, non denominational church. I didn't even know what that meant at the time. They just taught the Bible. All of that to say, I never even knew terms like "Calvinism" for many years. It really wasn't until the internet came along that I started learning all these terms and seeing controversies about Calvinism. It's even more recently that I've learned how angry people get over even the term. It's strange to me. Good grief, I just thought this was BIBLE. It SAYS we are chosen, predestined and all the rest, right in the texts. You don't have to like it, but there it is. Go argue with the Bible. It aggravates me so much.

For some reason, this issue becomes a thing unto itself. People obsess over it to the point where that's all they seem to focus on. Everything else in the Bible is neglected because of focus on this one thing. It's unhealthy. It's unbiblical. And it's pointless. God knows who the elect are. We don't. Therefore, share the gospel with everyone and let God do what He will do in people's lives. That's it! Why do people make this into such an issue to the point where they leave churches, have broken relationships, etc.? It's all so tiresome.

[RobertEMason]

I have discovered Reformed teaching fairly recently and it has set me free! God is in control and is high above any man

[sbs]

Excellent. The 1st verse of the letter further tells who are the "you" addressed in this verse: "To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours." Eph 1, as was stated, shows whose "will" is the agent of salvation. There is only one party with "free will", and it is not man in his depravity (Rom 3:11; 7:15-24). I'm thankful for my Lord's sovereign will that chose me when I had no ability to choose him (John 1:13; Jas 1:18). Thank you.

[jonathan]

Dear Pastor Matt! I have been following you for some time and am blessed by your ministry! :) :) God bless you, your ministry, and your church! :)

[LittleLouieLagazza]

"Context, context, context." These short and sweet video expositories really help. Thank you!

[stevenbosworth]

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance., , , (Key phrase to us-ward) (from KJV, , )

[krad]

Great explanation! Context matters so much and it’s easy to overlook. Peter is clearly addressing those who have obtained an equal standing of faith as he said when he opened this letter and references the “beloved” like 5 times in this chapter alone. Love the breakdown👍

[bennokurvits]

I agree. A careful reading of the context settles it. The letter was written to Christians, identified in 2 Peter 1:1 as "those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours." And so, in chapter 3, Peter and the Holy Spirit tell us that God is not willing that any Christian ("beloved" in 3:8 and "you" in 3:9), or any of His elect, perish, but that they all come to repentance. And they all will, in time, come to Christ because God is more than able, in His irresistible grace, to draw them and save them. But to me, the verse in this letter that appears harder to fit into our neat Calvinism is 2 Peter 2:1.

[OrondeB]

This was actually the first verse that really stuck with me when I first got saved.

[tanacious]

The Spirit who provides us counsel is truly one. I basically explain this verse exactly the same way without watching this video. The Spirit is truly a Spirit of One.

[aumtheaum]

Thanks for such straight forward comments

[joshawawest]

God used R.C Sproul’s teaching on 2 Peter 3:9 specifically to open my eyes to this biblical truth. Now I can’t help but see this truth from Genesis to Revelation.

[msudlp]

Please do more of these mini analysis of the scriptures. Thanks.

[TimWismer]

I've watched a number of your videos, and enjoy them for many reasons, but especially for your calm and gracious manner.

I think this was a really good handling of this verse through considering its' context, and it has changed my view of this verse, but I think a better verse to make this same point is 1 Timothy 2:3-4: "...God our Savior who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." In contrast to the context of 2 Peter 3:9, this passage is talking about unbelievers, and says that God desires them to be saved.

I don't think this contradicts predestination/election, which is taught so frequently and clearly that I don't feel any need to cite references. But I do think it should cause Calvinists to be somewhat qualified in their teaching of Limited Atonement, the "L" in the TULIP, especially since it tends to be framed in a way that directly contradicts 1 John 2:2: "He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world."

In His sovereignty, God will save the elect, and only the elect. But He also desires for all to be saved. His sovereign will and decisions are not the same as His heart. He is not pleased with sin, nor does He enjoy it -- and yet He ordains it (e.g. Isaiah 53:10, Romans 8:20). Also, there are different senses of God's "will" in Scripture (e.g. God is pleased to blind men to truth in Matt 11:25-27 and desires that they know the truth in 1 Tim 2:3-4 and elsewhere).

God is not a man such that we can fully understand Him by relating our thinking process to His mind. He operates above and outside of time, which is not relatable to us. This is the realm of predestination/election (Eph. 1:4). All we can do is ask Him to give us understanding (Ps. 119:18) so that we can see Him for who He is. This won't answer all our questions, but focusing on Him as He is will enable us to trust Him.

[rondarayl]

Thank you for sharing this. I learned alot

[kellydunn]

I will NOT argue. I am reformed by conviction and by reading the Bible for myself. We ALL will stand in judgement. We should be praying for each other, not backbiting and spewing vitriol. THIS does not honor Christ!

[ryanhart]

Excellent explanation brother:)🙏❤️.

God bless you!!!🙏❤️.

[CleanWithConfidence]

That's also a passage you can go deeper on and explain the two fold will of God. God desires all men to be saved according to His revealed will, but He has only elected those who will be saved according to His hidden will. But off course that might be a little to in depth for a quick 4 minute video lol

[CBALLEN]

Arminians forget that God knew His sheep and goats before creation. So to try and make 2 Peter 3:9 about ALL INDIVIDUALS, would make God senile, that He has no clue who are His and who aren't. To hold to the idea that God doesn't know who will be saved, would make one an open theist and o.t. are not Christians.

[Elkwoman]

Greetings. I would like to inquire...are there particular verses in the ESV that make it one of your top choices in translations? I would appreciate knowing, and thank you so very kindly. And also, thank you for this video. God bless you in Jesus' Name.