We Are Chosen IN CHRIST Not TO BE In Christ

Acts 13:48 de-Calvinized by Dr. Leighton Flowers @Soteriology101

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.

GREAT LIGHT STUDIOS FILMS:

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

[larrybedouin]

Amen.

Calvinism is like legless men who think to teach running.

[jeffreybomba]

For those that do not want to stick to strict Greek grammar, the opportunity for ambiguity is there. Do we just keep hammering these couple texts, or do you look at the hundreds of verses that clearly state the opposite of Calvinism as the necessary proof to eradicate the ambiguity they have to rely on in their FOUNDATIONAL passages? God says He is seeking the humble and contrite. He commands people to repent and believe. In every key element of Calvinism there are 2 or 3 verses that if read THEIR way support it and 25-100 verses on that specific topic that contradict. Let’s examine the sheer weight of evidence.

[primeobjective]

Great message.

The Chosen One is, Christ, and Christ alone (Isaiah 42:1).

In Luke 9:35, Jesus, Moses, Elijah, Peter, James & John hear a voice from the heavens saying, "This is my Son, whom I have CHOSEN, listen to him."

God never said, "You are ALL Chosen & Elect", required by Calvinism.

[cecilspurlockjr.]

Thank you, brother . One isn't in CHRIST until they've been indwelled by THE HOLY SPIRIT as earnest until the adoption, which is the resurrection of the body unto glorification where we will be holy and blameless before GOD.
GOD bless you brother

[aletheia]

It says right in the verse that you’re talking about that he chose the us TO BE holy and spotless before him. And predestined them in love to be a son.

And you don’t think that’s choosing a person “to be in Christ”?

Go figure

[Hezekiah]

You only got the partial correct meaning of the word "chosen", saying that we are in Christ therefore we are the chosen.

However, there is a reason why the apostles sitcked to the word 'chosen' many times. It's because not everyone can be in Christ, as of what they are doing (sticking to the abolished Old Covenant). The fact that we are in Christ is because He has chosen us to be in it. This is the grace from Him.

Furthermore, there are those who are destined to be away from Christ, just as when Jesus said to the Jews 2000 years ago that they are the brood of vipers. In this case, we can know that, they are not chosen since the beginning. But note that it's not for us to judge who are the chosen until the judgement day, God is the judge in the end.
Before that day comes, all mankind are given the chance to hear the gospel to be in Christ. We should make effort to make our election sure by studying the truth diligently.

Eventually God is the one who decides everything and chose the people to be saved. This should be included when explaining the word 'chosen'.

But what I also want to emphasize is that, though we are chosen, it doesn't mean we will still be saved if we leave the truth. For eg, Jesus said, even the elects (chosen) will be deceived and lose salvation. We should make every effort to remain in the truth that set us free till the end.