Questions About the Doctrine of Salvation

Overview for the next several weeks

Have you ever asked the question: Did I choose God or did God choose me? Has anyone ever asked you: Did God create people knowing they would go to hell? I have been there. I still remember my friend Jay sitting across the table at Subway asking me that last question. That was in 2009…which is the reason I am starting my blog with such a touchy topic.

Let me clarify…I am not writing my first blogs about whether or not God chose you or you chose him because I think it will draw a lot of attention. If anything it would probably get a lot more push back than praise. People have been debating the question for 1,500+ years. No, the reason I am starting here in my blog is because it was the first significant area of theology that was presented to me to think about after my conversion (2006).

If you haven’t rolled your eyes and clicked out yet let me explain what the following blogs will look like.

With the perspective of looking back on my past wrestlings I will share the questions and struggles I had, along with helpful questions and answers that were posed to me. Among other things this blog will explore:

• TULIP…its history and purpose, misuses and corrections
• Free Will…what does the Bible say and what have been historically believed
• How does our understanding of the Trinity effect our understanding of God’s work to save…believe it or not it does:)
• Ordo Salutis…order what??? Ordo Salutis = Order of Salvation (i.e. Romans 8:28-30)

WHY…does this matter?

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,

to sing praises to your name, O Most High;

For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work;

at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

Psalm 92:1&4

The work of God is the Christians source of joy, and joy is our strength. The more we see and learn of God’s work to save sinners, the more joy will grow from God’s steadfast love, and the more strength we will have to keep running the race set before us.

Conclusion

Above there are four bullet points but there will be more blogging than four posts…that is not to say that this is a blog that will be on the doctrine of salvation indefinitely. But for several weeks this general topic will be the theme of the questions we explore.

I do encourage questions, feedback, or requests for clarification.

Finally let me say that I have no intention of being slanderous with this hot topic when it comes to those who disagree. I point to George Whitefield and John Wesley who strongly disagreed on this very topic yet had a wonderful friendship. I encourage and want to foster patience and kindness as I proceed.