Ancient Paths Blog

Gay Sex - the Eroticism of Idolatry

One of the clearest condemnations of homosexual behavior in the Bible is found in the first chapter of Paul's letter to the Romans.  So what's his hang up with homosexuality?  And why should we follow him in this day and age of pluralistic diversity?

If "God Loves Everybody," Then He Really Loves Nobody

Those who deny that conception of election where God chooses some to be saved while others He passes by do so reasoning that God loves everybody in a saving way and hopes earnestly that all will come to Him in faith.  As a basis for this view they often refer to 2 Peter 3:9, "[The Lord] is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

At first blush this seems a broader and more generous view of God's saving love - not merely some, but all!  Yet, a moment's reflection reveals there is no substance to it.  Like a Hollywood movie set in which the storefronts on main street are merely facades with nothing real behind them, this view of God's love renders it hollow.  Why would I say this?

The Narrowness of God's Love

Teaching the love of God in election is tricky when you're among those who've been raised in a theological tradition that has either denied it, ignored it, or defined it in several meaningless ways.

Some have suggested that God chooses those whom He foreknew would choose Him in faith.  But this is as compelling as a young man, having just received notice he's been drafted into the service, to announce with great fanfare he's just made the decision to join the military.  His decision is only so-called.  There is every reason to suspect his joining is not out of a love for king and country but a desire to avoid the consequences of refusal.  He's simply making a virtue out of necessity.

The Two Loves of God

The apostle Paul taught the Thessalonians their only hope to survive the end times perils was God's electing love:  "But we ought always to thanks God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved..." 2Thessalonians 2:13.

How do you teach the concept of God's sovereign grace in election to a church steeped for a 130 years in pietistic Arminianism (a theological tradition that has either denied, ignored, or redefined election into meaninglessness)?  Here's how I went about it.