Monday, March 09, 2009

Praying for Salvation?

Years ago I led a Sunday school class through the doctrine of election. I had wonderful Christian friends in that class who really struggled with accepting the doctrine. One of the issues that was very difficult for them to accept is whether God can overcome someone's "free will." This felt very obtrusive to my friends. Yet, I noticed an inconsistency in their belief, because at the same time they did not like the idea of God electing people unto salvation from before the foundation of time, they had no problem praying and asking God to save a particular person now.

Can we hold a position where on one hand we don't want God to choose or elect someone unto salvation, and on the other ask God to save someone presently?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I don't remember who said this (probably Pastor John), but no one really prays in ways that exalt free will. No one prays, "Lord, do everything that You can, and I sure hope his free will says 'Yes'!"

There is indeed a disconnect between a person who believes that God can change someone they love (or themselves) and who also believes in the sovereign sway of free will. I wonder if it's because the latter belief doesn't sound right when praying.