Hi

Recently I was having an e-mail conversation with an Arminian about predestination.
Part of one of his e-mails confused me, because I have only come across this particular view of predestination once before. Only that particular time, I wasn't interested in understanding where that person was coming from.


Quote
Predestination is where God pre-determined, not the identity of the saved, but the character of the saved--in other words GOD has a PLAN already before the foundations of the World for the saved but the saved have to walk in that plan as we have free will to walk in the spirit or the flesh---GOD wont do that for us

The Bible is clear, that GOD uses all things for His glory, HE will use things and turn things around done evil for His glory....like with Rape He can turn that around for His glory to reach someone, but we cannot say that He preplanned that as like I said there is no darkness in GOD...it was the devil who did this through men--

I have read a few Arminian commentaries on passages such as Ephesians chapter one, particularly verse 4, which I assume he is referring to when he says "PLAN already before the foundations of the World for the saved...”
Those commentaries didn't have that particular slant to their interpretation.

Is this a common understanding of predestination among Arminians?

Although I have decided that it is a fruitless endeavor to continue to discuss this matter with him. Mainly because of his obvious hate of all things related to Calvinism (i.e. calling Edwards and Spurgeon heretics). I am curious, of your opinions on how best to show someone with that understanding that they haven't properly exegeted the passage.

Tom

Last edited by Tom; Fri Oct 09, 2009 1:35 AM.