A Tough Pill

I think Christians in our day can all agree that Calvinism and the doctrine of predestination are quite the tough pill to swallow. As for myself, I am not quite sure that I believe one side or the other of the debate is completely true. However, there are certain doctrinal ideas in Calvinism that I definitely agree with. We claim that it would be unjust of God to create people with the foreknowledge that they would go to Hell after dying. Now please don't misunderstand me. I am not saying that I agree with Calvin on this point, but this particular example helps to talk about a certain concept. This concept is the fact that God is just in whatever He does. This is a scriptural fact. He is perfection, thus having a wholly perfect will. Still, I have no idea whether or not God creates people simply to send them to Hell. The point is, that if He did, how could we possibly stand to judge His action from our incredibly limited standard? How can the pot question the potter?

An interesting thing I heard from a friend of mine this summer was this, that God has a righteous duty unto Himself, to glorify Himself. This blew my mind, yet it is so true. God, being utter perfection, is the highest possible good that exists. If He were to allow us to pursue any other objective in life but Him, it would really be a disservice to us. I am nowhere near smart or biblically literate enough to understand Calvinism or Arminianism very well, but like I said, whether we like it or not, God is infinitely above and beyond reproach. He is perfection and what He does He does perfectly.

P.S. I commented on Susan Berner's "Calvinism"

Worship Euphoria

Worship Euphoria

Today as we discussed the different types of worship in honors today,and as we listened to both types of worship,I was struck by a thought: Worship can be dangerous to one's soul.  I realized why a person would prefer a simple type of worship over a complex hymn sung in multiple parts. As I listened,I started to become lost in the beauty of it, and focused less and less on the words and meaning behind them. This can be dangerous because if one loses focus on truly worshiping, they begin to either glorify themselves (enjoying the sound of your voice) or they begin to praise the performer, not The Creator. The music played was beautiful,it truly was. But too much of a good thing can be harmful. Now, do not misunderstand me. I believe you can worship in all that you do, all types of music, and even without music. Music does bring people together though, and there is nothing like the sound of devoted Christians lifting a song of praise to their Creator. So yes, we should enjoy beautiful music, but we should never let ourselves be overtaken by the beauty of it. I believe that you must find a form of worship that you truly can worship through. For some, hymns and psalms allow them to truly embrace worship. For others, a contemporary worship service accomplishes the same effect. To each his own,as they say.

P.S. commented here

Modern Reformed

I have the unique position of growing up with my dad as the worship pastor at a VERY Calvinistic, Reformed Presbyterian Church- while none of my family is Calvinist. 

So I have learned a lot about Calvinism. A lot.

But one thing that is so interesting is the pervasiveness of the reformed tradition in music. It's been interesting that there really is still a sense of the value of simplicity. I once had a friend in highschool tell me that simple and old hymns were better than new songs because older songs have more meaning. Which doesn't actually make any sense. 

The sanctuary to our church actually looks exactly like all those pictures we saw in class. Whitewashed and clean with no decorations. 

Interesting isn't it? How old habits die hard.

Ramblings on Calvin

One of the problems I had with Calvin on Predestination is the line, "You can see how he gives as cause for both salvation and damnation the mere pleasure of God" (page 4). This line made me pause and think... so the pleasure of God is to damn some people to hell? Surely not. The verse that immediately popped into my head was 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." He wants everyone to come to repentance- to join him in eternal life in heaven- so how does that line up with Calvin's theology of predestination? God can harden or soften hearts, and we are unable to love Him without the love that He first put within us, and He knows who will choose Him, but that doesn't mean that we have nothing to do with the choice. Just a thought...

P.S. commented on Skylar's "Music During the Reformation..."

Calvinism

                While Calvin's beliefs on predestination are easily understood, they are difficult for me to accept.  Calvinism is very systematic and comes to a simple conclusion through a precise explanation.  Unfortunately, while it claims to give God all the glory for saving sinners from Hell, it is completely devoid of emotion.  If there were truly elect people who could go to heaven and those who are chosen to go to Hell, there is no reason for a Christian to try at all in life.  This idea claims to give God all of the glory, but what for?  For deciding that one man is better or more deserving than another, or because God just likes him more?  No, this is not the God that I have come to love throughout my life.  Calvin uses the example of a banker giving loans to explain his beliefs.  He says that a banker gives out loans as he sees fit, allowing one man to have money but not the other.  However, there is a system behind this.  The banker does not just chose who he does because he feels like it.  The banker giving a loan looks at credit, decides who is more likely to pay the money back, and what will be done with the money. Also, a person must ask for a loan before a banker can either give them the money or deny it to them.  I think in some ways it is the same with salvation.    

I commented on Rebekah Dye's blog

-Susan Berner

Palestrina and His Venues

In class, we listened to a little Palestrina. Let me start by saying that I love his works. I have performed many of his pieces in numerous cathedrals, and they never get old.

I know Calvin had a bone to pick with musical works like this, namely because they were emotionally charged songs being sung in church. However, there's something else about Palestrina that I cannot put my finger on that makes his works an element of worship on a completely different level than any other musical piece.

As a performer of such works, I find that when singing them, the acoustics in many cathedrals reflect the sound to appear as if the music is coming from all different directions. To the performer, they begin to feel as if the song is not originating from themselves. The performer simply becomes the channel for praise that comes from nature itself. The song comes from all creatures on the earth, and the performer merely manifests it in a physical form.

Also, this is my favorite Palestrina piece to listen to, as well as sing along with. I hope this counts as a quote.

~~Cody Martin

ps- I commented here

Predestination. Yes, I brought it up :)

"By predestination we mean the eternal decree of God, by which He determined with Himself whatever He wished to happen with regard to every man.  All are not created on equal terms, but some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation; and, accordingly, as each has been created for one or the other of these purposes, we say that he has been predestined to life or to death. …" 

If I had five dollars for every time this statement has brought contention in a discussion, I think I would be the richest person on earth.  I'd never read the actual works of Calvin before, although I've discussed predestination vs. free will way too many times with fellow believers, and his wording truly surprised me.  He addresses arguments and what he considers truth in blunt, forceful arguments, making statements most Calvinists would quail before.  However, while I do have a very strong opinion on this subject, as I'm sure most people in this class do, my opinion does not matter.  However, the salvation of others does, and that's what is a major concern with this belief.  To never have certainty in the faith, to forever have that chance that God had condemned you to Hell before your birth... it's really too awful to think about.  I've personally seen this kind of thinking turn in a very negative direction, where people refuse to have anything to do with the church or believers as they say that no matter what they do, it doesn't matter.  They're already stuck going to one place or the other.

While Calvin's logic is incredible, as a believer, I see many practical flaws.  In concept, it makes sense.  In the real world, does it?  I don't believe so.

Commented on Jamie's "Oooo... Shiny..."