Does Romans 9 Teach Calvinism? Part 6: Isaac And Ishmael

This is a series where I use the book of Galatians to help understand Paul's argument in Romans 9 and give a non-Calvinist interpretation of this difficult and often confused chapter of scripture. In this video I look at Romans 9:9 which references the story Isaac and Ishmael in Genesis and compare it to Galatians 4:21-31 to help explain why Paul makes this reference.

WATCH THE FULL SERIES COMPARING AND INTERPRETING ROMANS 9 WITH GALATIANS:

The topic of Calvinism is something that I have personally spent a lot of time studying and thinking about for the past decade. In recent years this theology has grown a lot in popularity, being propagated by popular and prominent pastors and christian leaders like John Piper, John Macarthur, RC Sproul and ministry organizations like the Gospel Coalition, Desiring God, Ligonier Ministries and Apologia Studios.

This theology is based on a particular understanding of passages like Romans 9, John 6 and Ephesians 1, which are interpreted by Calvinists in a way that results in the conclusion that God has determined before the foundation of the world which individuals he will save and has ultimately created a countless mass of humanity throughout history for the purpose of condemning them to eternal torment in hell for committing sins that he himself determined that they commit. This may be a bit more of an abrasive and pointed way of putting it, but I think if you come to understand the claims and beliefs of the theologians mentioned above who teach these doctrines, you will see that this is an accurate and honest representation of their ultimate conclusions.

I personally find the view of God that is communicated in Calvinism to be immoral and a gross misrepresentation of what the bible actually describes God to be like. Although I do have moral and emotional apprehensions toward this theology, that is not ultimately the reason why I came to reject it. I came to reject it on biblical grounds. After examining the many Calvinistic proof texts like Romans 9 and Ephesians 1, I became convinced that Calvinists are simply misunderstanding and misinterpreting these texts.

I make videos about this topic because I believe that bad theology is harmful to people - emotionally, mentally and spiritually. My goal in making videos like this is not to demonize Calvinists who teach these things or to say they are evil heretics or anything of the sort, but to simply explain why I strongly disagree with their conclusions and offer what I consider to be a better way of understanding the many biblical texts that are often used to support these views.

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#calvinism #apologiastudios #noncalvinist #calvinist #soteriology #Predestination #Calvinism #Provisionism #Calvinist #Salvation #calvinismdebate #christianity

[Leeyum]

Hey man, I became a Christian 7 years ago after coming out of new age. I spent many years as a Calvinist since converting to the faith, but could never understand how the love of God and desire for all to be saved fits in with pre-determinism. I just want to say I think you’re really helping to clear a lot of despair and confusion I’ve been experiencing and I think you’re doing a great job breaking everything down according to biblical context! Thank you!

[rudydanesi]

Wonderful brother. Thanks for the break down and clear explanations. Your channel is truly a blessing for me by God's grace.
PS: What software do you use to draw over a text like this ?

[mikelyons]

Great work Great Light 👍 As always the whole counsel of God needs to be brought in. Two Nations are in thy womb (Gen 25) & later in Ro 9 the Potter illustration is from Jeremiah 18.

Glad you brought in Galatians 4 to expound 👍 & Yes, just like God had to fix what man tried to fix in the flesh: Adam & Eve trying to "Cover" their nakedness/sin with plants (Cain's sacrifice also a veggimite sandwich) God with mercy & compassion provided skins/shed blood (possibly a lamb, precursor to The Lamb of God, whom will do more than cover, but will finish the job) & did it right. God also fixed (as you pointed out) the work of the flesh of Abraham & Hagar. He redeemed/reconciled that by giving Abraham a chance to show proper faith with the sacrifice of Isaac. God wants to redeem all things. Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Calvinism (a work of men/flesh) is so quick/eager to validate a system that they think (some with genuine motives & some I wonder?) makes God more Sovereign. Diminish His Sovereignty.

Jonah go tell people I love to repent & turn to me. Nope, I'm heading the opposite way. God is Sovereign enough to get a defiant, disobedient volitional being to the beach head & then to a people He wants to save/redeem, because He's not willing any perish & Hell was prepared for the Devil & his Angels...not people.

[DelicueMusic]

I have to read Galatians again, because I missed half of this stuff in its meaning when I was a brand new Christian.

[jeffreybomba]

There something much simpler at work here. Jews believed that were save by being born Jews, which Paul shoots down in chapter 3. These examples also show that birth order does not dictate salvation and blessing.

[eberejosiah]

As a non Calvinist. I don't how i feel about this video(by the way i love your other videos)

[TheRomansGuy]

2:40 “there are those who God chose are there are those who are not chosen.” Definitely disagree here. Paul is NOT teaching that God leaves some people un-chosen. Definitely not. He is teaching that all are chosen. The Jews were chosen first, now the Gentiles are also chosen. It is very false to say God chooses some and not others.