Free Will, Predestination, Election and Quantum Physics: Part 1

 

Free Will, Predestination, Election and Quantum Physics: Part 1  

I am not a Calvinist.  Why?  It reduces God to a one dimensional being.  It so emphasizes God’s sovereignty and justice that it reduces his love and mercy to secondary characteristics, which is not accurate.  The following quote is a “translation” of a section from “A Compleat Body of Divinity” by Samuel Willard, a Puritan theologian and die-hard, dyed-in-the-wool Calvinist from Boston who wrote in the end of the 17^th century.  (He’s a distant relation, so pardon me if I refer to him as Samuel.)

Good men are never better satisfied than in imparting their goodness and God takes delight in being kind to his creatures.  Micah 7:18b “He does not hold on to his anger forever, because he delights in faithful love.”  He is, as we may say, in his element.  It is one way through which he exalts his glory. (Lecture 25)

How do we take these seemingly contradictory concepts and understand how they work together?  Because we know they must work together since these are all descriptive of God and his character. 

What the heck is A Compleat Body of Divinity?

 

You’ll note a menu listing and a button on the left for ‘A Compleat Body of Divinity by Samuel Willard’.  What is that?  It’s a book of theology written almost four hundred years ago.  I stumbled across it and it has had a major impact on my life and my faith.  Don’t have the time or money to go to seminary?  Read the book.  You’ll get an amazing education.  Samuel Willard’s view of God will take your breathe away.

I love this book.  Really love it.  Love it like you’d love a friend.  Most of it thrills me and some of it annoys me.  That’s how you love a friend.  A close, dear friend.