2008 Woodie Awards
Editor embraces Sovereign Grace
Rachel Nelson
Issue date: 4/5/07 Section: Religion & Politics
The term "Calvinism" is commonly thrown around in the Christian church with a negative connotation. Although I believe John Calvin had a lot of things right in his teachings, I am not a Calvinist. I do not follow Calvin; I follow Jesus Christ.
I like to call myself a Sovereign Grace believer, although I notice that most Christians today have never heard the term, let alone hold a true understanding of what it actually means. It comes from the Doctrines of Grace that can be found throughout the Holy Scriptures. There are so many different beliefs in the Christian church today that I've asked myself, "What was the true, original church of Jesus Christ all about?" The answer to that can be found in church history, which I have found to go back to these teachings.
I didn't always embrace the Sovereign Grace concept, but in an attempt to prove it wrong by deeply studying the matter, the opposite occurred. It is not my intent to make anyone believe this teaching, but rather to give a very basic understanding to the beliefs that I hold to be true. This is a very complex doctrinal issue and can't be completely expressed in the little space I have here. If an interest sparks in someone to follow up on these ideas, then I would consider it an accomplishment. Not of myself, but of God.
Q: What is Sovereign Grace?
A: There is seldom a time that I open my King James Bible and don't find an example of God's Sovereign Grace. Sovereign Grace is the biblical teaching that God is in control, or Sovereign, in all matters. That includes the salvation of a lost sinner.
Q: Who initiates salvation?
A: If God is Almighty and Sovereign in all matters, and most Christians admittedly will tell you that He is, then that presents the idea that a person does not "choose" to accept Christ. Instead, Christ elects to bestow his grace upon a person by calling them to repentance. In the Bible, people receive salvation; they do not accept it.
Since God is in control and the creature is subject to its Creator, that person ultimately will respond to His call. God's elect are referred to hundreds of times throughout Scripture. Therefore, it is God who is doing the electing, not us.
I like to call myself a Sovereign Grace believer, although I notice that most Christians today have never heard the term, let alone hold a true understanding of what it actually means. It comes from the Doctrines of Grace that can be found throughout the Holy Scriptures. There are so many different beliefs in the Christian church today that I've asked myself, "What was the true, original church of Jesus Christ all about?" The answer to that can be found in church history, which I have found to go back to these teachings.
I didn't always embrace the Sovereign Grace concept, but in an attempt to prove it wrong by deeply studying the matter, the opposite occurred. It is not my intent to make anyone believe this teaching, but rather to give a very basic understanding to the beliefs that I hold to be true. This is a very complex doctrinal issue and can't be completely expressed in the little space I have here. If an interest sparks in someone to follow up on these ideas, then I would consider it an accomplishment. Not of myself, but of God.
Q: What is Sovereign Grace?
A: There is seldom a time that I open my King James Bible and don't find an example of God's Sovereign Grace. Sovereign Grace is the biblical teaching that God is in control, or Sovereign, in all matters. That includes the salvation of a lost sinner.
Q: Who initiates salvation?
A: If God is Almighty and Sovereign in all matters, and most Christians admittedly will tell you that He is, then that presents the idea that a person does not "choose" to accept Christ. Instead, Christ elects to bestow his grace upon a person by calling them to repentance. In the Bible, people receive salvation; they do not accept it.
Since God is in control and the creature is subject to its Creator, that person ultimately will respond to His call. God's elect are referred to hundreds of times throughout Scripture. Therefore, it is God who is doing the electing, not us.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Philip Capo
posted 4/05/07 @ 10:44 PM CST
Rachael's coming to embrace the Doctrines of Grace was not unlike my own, however, I came to believe the Doctrines before I ever knew there was such a thing. (Continued…)
Pastor Moody
Andrew Moody
posted 8/16/07 @ 11:13 PM CST
Well stated. I don't hold to God's sovereign saving grace b/c I want to, but because it's clearly taught in Scripture. Because I believe the Bible is God's Word and as such infallible and inerrant, I submit to it even though I may not understand how it all works out. (Continued…)
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