Frank Hubeny

Sunday Walk 38 – Predestination

ου βραδυνει ο κυριος της επαγγελιας ως τινες βραδυτητα ηγουνται αλλα μακροθυμει εις ημας μη βουλομενος τινας απολεσθαι αλλα παντας εις μετανοιαν χωρησαι
2 Peter 3:9 Textus Receptus with various translations

Predestination is God’s plan for us for responsible service as slaves of Jesus and yet children of God (Matthew 6:9, 1 John 3:2). There is nothing more meaningful or fulfilling in one’s life than coming to repentance and accepting that destiny. He wills it for all of us (2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:4).

However, predestination is overshadowed within some traditions by adding on the notion of predeterminism. These traditions contain conceptions of the nature of God that pit our free will against God’s glory.

Starting at 28:00 for about 13 minutes David Pawson described two views of predestination, the Arminian and the Calvinist (Reformed) views.

David Pawson, Unlocking the New Testament Part 15 – Ephesians

This video is part of Pawson’s introduction to the Bible covering the books from Genesis to Revelation. After going through this series I began to see myself and those around me as living within an historical drama leading to a wedding the significance of which I had not appreciated before. The Christian worldview came to life. It is from within that worldview revealed by the Bible that I now consider issues such as predestination.

In section D6 of Election and Reprobation at Monergism, Wayne Grudem made summary observations that I agree with: “So in a Reformed system God’s highest value is his own glory, and in an Arminian system God’s highest value is the free will of man. These are two distinctly different conceptions of the nature of God….”

Given these two distinctly different conceptions of the nature of God, I ask myself: If God’s highest value were really his own glory, why the crucifixion? If God’s highest value were not the free will of man, how did sin and the resulting evil enter the historical narrative of the Christian worldview as revealed by the Bible?

The Reformed conception of God leaves me with too many unanswered questions. Thankfully there are alternatives to it. For more on these alternatives, Mike Winger provides a biblical argument clarifying what hardening of hearts means and why faith is not a work. He also provides an overview of Calvinism and Arminianism.

What do you think? You are welcome to set me straight or present your own views on predestination in the comments below.

Dance

This dance may seem for some too short,
for others far too long.
Lift up your face upon us now
and give us peace as you know how.
We hope you’ll love our song.

Eugenia offers “dance” for this week’s prompt. Linking of Numbers 6:24-26.

Birth – Décima

Though Moloch wants a sacrifice
don’t let his dreams for you come true.
Don’t do what he says you must do.
Beware his smile. He isn’t nice.
He’s betting that you’ll pay his price
so pumps you up with hopeless fear.
Protect your children. Keep them near.
Your baby’s ready. Time for birth.
Life only is upon this earth.
That’s why those demons wander here.

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “birth” to be used in a D line of a décima having rhyme pattern ABBAACCDDC for this week’s challenge.

Ronovan's Decima Poetry Challenge Image — Ronovan’s Decima Poetry Challenge Image

Effervescent – Six Sentence Story

Eventually Bill stopped giving Rafael excuses and entered the revival tent hoping his doubts wouldn’t dampen the effervescent joy in others should a miracle occur. He stood at the back where he met a missionary who had scars across her cheeks, lips, ears and nose. She explained that the militia overpowering her town a decade ago carried off the pretty girls for prostitution and mutilated the ugly ones or killed them, like her sister, to demoralize the surrounding communities.

Bill went back often and at one point disclosed to her as a warning that his work was dangerous. In turn she reminded him that she was one of the ugly ones.

She loved it when he called her Rose and they were married under the revival tent.

Denise offers the word “effervescent” to be used in this week’s Six Sentence Stories. Continued from Filter – Six Sentence Story. Next: Pawn – Six Sentence Story.

GirlieOnTheEdge Denise Farley's six-sentence-stories icon — GirlieOnTheEdge Denise Farley’s six-sentence-stories icon

In the Big, Wide, Open Spaces

Dale offers the theme “in the big, wide, open spaces” for this week’s Cosmic Photo Challenge.

I wrote this poem in the comments section of Linda Kruschke’s Paint Chip narrative poetry challenge.

The Night of the Jack-O’-Lantern

The jack-o’-lantern’s hollow nose
turned darkly down on Antique Rose.
Its scornful eyes pierced Mistletoe.
Its toothy mouth warned them to go:
“It’s easy peasy in the street
Where greens and pinks and yellows meet.”
But pleasure wasn’t why they came.
No morbid magic, flashing flame
Could substitute for righteous light.
They stood their ground, prepared to fight.

The jack-o’-lantern burnt all night.

Its pride at dawn collapsed within.
Mistletoe knew they would win
And so did joyful Antique Rose.
Their faith like Mustard Seed’s still grows.

Sunday Walk 37

Mary Hood (tqhousecat) at mehflowers linked to MercyMe’s song I Can Only Imagine in her post, Wake Up Dreaming, contrasting it with John Lennon’s Imagine. What a contrast! I can’t even imagine what must have been going through Lennon’s mind when he wrote what he did.

MercyMe, I Can Only Imagine

This beautiful song has been around for some time, but it is the first time I’ve heard it. I am grateful to Mary for sharing it. I may never have heard it otherwise.

Reflections

The water’s face reflects the sky, but this requires light.
It’s not too late to leave the cave before the dusk and night.

Eugenia offers this week the prompt “reflections”.

Walk – Six Sentence Story

Celia’s boyfriend, Derek, with two of his friends helping, removed his things from her apartment the morning she met her father, Rafael, at the café. How did her father know Derek could not be trusted? Since the arguments with her mother she had not spoken to either of them. How did her father even know there was a Derek?

Rafael remained in the café for some time after Celia ran off and then decided to walk by the ocean before going home. He was wondering what their next move should be and how he would tell his wife that his meeting with their daughter failed when he heard footsteps running from behind and Celia shouting, “Dad, wait!”

Denise offers the prompt word “walk” for this week’s Six Sentence Stories. Continues from Service – Six Sentence Stories.

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Chase – Décima

I didn’t think I was the prey
when I went hunting Willful Dream,
but things aren’t always as they seem.
I failed. That’s why I’m here today.

That dream’s a Worm in painful play,
but I was eager for the chase.
Sound Sanity I wouldn’t face.
I knew that it would tell me, “No.
Beware the Hook. It’s sharp. Go slow.”
I tripped and fell, was saved by Grace.

Ronovan Hester offers the rhyme word “chase” to be used in a C line for this week’s Décima Challenge.

I participated in the morning session of the Heart Beats Contributing Authors Poetry Readings. I am grateful to Lisa Tomey for hosting these readings and organizing the Heart Beats anthology.