I was re-reading through Martin Luther’s Commentary on Romans and came across a passage about predestination I’ve always loved. I first encountered this passage in college, and have always thought this was profound. Regardless of your view on Calvinism, I think this a very important insight.
“Follow the order of this Epistle (Romans 1-9). Worry first about Christ and the Gospel, that you may recognize your sin and His grace (Romans 1-5); then fight your sin (Rom 6-8), as the first eight chapters here have taught; then, when you have reached the eighth chapter, and are under the cross and suffering, that will teach you the right doctrine of predestination, in the ninth, tenth, and eleventh chapters, and how comforting it is. For the absence of suffering and the cross and the danger of death, one cannot deal with predestination without harm and without secret wrath against God. The old Adam must die before he can endure this subject and drink the strong wine of it. Therefore beware not to drink wine while you are still a suckling. There is a limit, a time, an age for every doctrine.”
Good insight. I’m often encouraging the more calvistist-leaning guys in our fellowship to see predestination as Paul deals with; more pastorally than as a matter of sytematic theology.
I’m blessed to see another good work happening in the Raleigh-Durham area. Many years ago (97-98) I left California and attempted a church plant there (my goal), only to experience brokeness and humiliation (God’s goal). It was a really tough season but God graciously kept my family and I through it. I’m currently planting a church in Norwich, England. Pursuing humility by His grace and receiving less humiliation.
Like your article on the Resurgence today as well.
Great and helpful quote. Thanks for passing it on.
Adam, I’m sorry you feel that way. I would invite you to check out other posts, where we regularly put up comments that contradict the points I make.
Unfortunately, many people with entirely too much time on their hands use the comment sections of this blog to post comments on whatever their particular soap box. Some, we have found, even use multiple identities to so that they can get through filters, after we politely ask them to not use this blog to promote their agenda!
Your particular comment was not included because it was off-topic. It was an invective against Luther and evangelical churches on an unrelated topic, and we deemed it unhelpful to the discussion at hand.
This is great, and helpful counsel in our day of the revival of doctrine.
@John Brown-I dont know if it is more pastoral or systematic. I dont believe there is really any need to divide the two here. There is not a more right way to understand predestination. Only one right way. Blessings.