Thoughts on the actions of the Wicked

This week I had the opportunity to watch a small bit of a news show. On this particular show, they had Katy Perry on. She said that she was born and raised by parents who were evangelical about their faith and that the reason why she had become what she is now is because her family kept everything from her, i.e. not letting her watch a kiss or something. She then said that when she was finally able to see what the world truly is like she thought it was really good. (she did not actually say this in these exact words - hence it is why I did not use commas)

Now my response to this is No Katy Perry. The reason why you act the way you do or sing the way you sing is not because you were kept from experiencing these things when you were little. That is a circular argument. For one what about those who were kept from pure and holy things when they were little and yet become people who witness for Jesus Christ? Paul tells us in Romans 9:1-5 that the Jews had all the things pertaining to salvation, they even had Jesus Christ the Messiah, but yet at the same time they rejected him. Paul then spends time in chapters 9 - 11 to answer why they had rejected Jesus Christ. In short he says A) because not all truly are of Abraham's seed. It is not those who are born physically of Abraham who are really his offsprings. Paul tells us the reason why this is so in Chapter 4 of Romans. He says the reason why is because Abraham was justified by grace through faith so that he may become the father of all who believe. Fortunately however only those who have been elected by God will be shown mercy. B) Paul says in Chapter 11 that the reason why God has hardened the hearts of the Jews is so that the Gentiles may be engrafted by grace and not by works. So your stance on this issue is off even on this little point.
Also it is not just that it is circular argument. But that it is red herring. The point is that you have tried to switch the attention from who you are to someone who you are not. Keep in mind that Scripture teaches that all men are sinners and hate God (Romans 1-3). So the reason why you wanted to do these things Katy Perry was not because you were kept from these things and that you realize that these things were not so bad but because you are totally depraved. You do these things because you are a sinner who loves sin. And this is your judgement as Romans 1:18-32 speaks of and even John 3:16-21 says - those who do not believe are already judged as being evil.
So Mrs. Perry you only have one response before a just and holy God and that is to repent and bow your knee now to Him or else be further humbled on the last day Philippians 2:5-11.

Soli Deo Gloria

On Romans 10:1-4

Paul Answers the questions in chapters 9[-11]: why there are some Jews who are perishing because of faithlessness? Is God faithful and trustworthy as Paul says in chapter 8? Paul ultimately answers by saying that God is still faithful and trustworthy even though there are some who disbelieve in God's righteousness and the reason why some Jews are perishing is so to fulfill God's purpose of Election in calling both Jews and Gentiles.

What do Christians fundamentally believe?

The fundamental christian belief is that there is a God who is good and just and that he impartially judges not according to appearances but according to the heart.

Are there any supralapsarians out there?

A response from a dear friend of mine has said: "I'm neither. Both traditional answers seem to be inadequate. God isn't temporal therefore there isn't a question of predestination 'before' or 'after' the fall, since we were chosen before time, before the foundation of the world."

However when we speak of God decree we often times speak of the decree in plurality sense decrees. So although there are ultimately just one decree and that is the decree to glorify Himself in the election and reprobation of some people. The question of supralapsarianism or infralapsarianism is not a question of order of the decrees for both are in sinc with one another. But the differentiation has to do with whether the objects of God's election and reprobation were to be created and fallen or were already created and fallen.

(I will continue to think and reflect more on this objection)

The implications of Supralapsarianism

I would not call it a hyper-calvinist view. Hyper calvinism is that which says there is no need to evangelize, no need to intereact for God has done all that is necessary for salvation in the eternal past. I would say however, the scripture is presents this view to us.


Of course any of our beliefs that we hold to must be in check. We should not allow what we believe be the basis for our interpretation of Scripture. But I am learning what it means to allow scripture to be the basis for my beliefs not the other way around. So I should say if Scripture teaches this doctrine, how then does it consist with other points of doctrine that it teaches us? Like for instance What does this mean about God's purpose of Salvation? What is the intended means of God to save sinners.

Point number 1, which says that God elected some men to salvation and reprobated others to condemnation is not the same as point number 3 which says that God then decreed to permit the fall.

The first point simply says that the objects of choices were unfallen which brings upon itself an implication when the fall occurs. Paul says in Romans 9:21, that they (the reprobate and the elect) were the same lump of clay unfallen when God made his decisions. So this brings implication to the third point that God decreed the fall. This shows the reason for the elect to find salvation in Christ alone. For God must deal with the fallen race accordingly, but He works in the elect so that they will believe in Christ, whereas the reprobate will not repent and believe. God is not keeping the reprobate from believing in Christ, but He is leaving them in their sins.

Then the fourth point answers the problem, how will God save the elect? whereas the third point answers the problem how will God condemn the reprobate? The answer from the third point is that All men sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The fourth point says because all men sinned and fall short of thte glory of God in Adam and by their own sins even the elect, God needs to provide salvation for the elect. Considering that God is madly in love with His nature and attributes, He does things accordingly. So God is Triune God (Father, Son, and Spirit). Notice that all three person of the Trinity are at work in salvation, all are one in intent to glorify God in History. So the Father elects, creates, and decrees the fall, the Son is sent to save the elect, and then the Spirit goes out and brings the elect unto salvation.

So as to your point that this discourages men and women from witnessing and doing evangelism. I would say this does not. Of course one may take any doctrine like Grace and say because I am saved by grace therefore I do not need to do anything to glorify God. Obviously you will say that is false and give your reply for why it is so.

Another thing is that this really does as you were saying does encourage people to do evangelism. For one it does for it is the Holy Spirit who works in one to will and act accordingly to God's good pleasure and purpose. Two, it is in accord to the nature of God and His will and being. and Three it is consistant with the means for salvation. By Grace, through faith, in Christ alone, revealed in the Scriptures alone, for the glory of God alone.

On Double Predestination

I read a website saying that Double Predestination means that God is working just as much in the hearts of the Reprobate to prevent them from being saved as in the Elect to save them. This is wrong. Double Predestination means that God reprobates one vessel of people for dishonorable use and elects another vessel of people for honorable use. Then in a truly Supralapsarianist understanding God decreed to allow the fall to occur. The cause of the rejection is not Man's sin, but the cause of the condemnation is sin. So Bob is rejected as an heir of Grace, but when Bob falls into sin he does so willfully and he is also condemned. It is a false assertion to say God works into the heart sin. For God does not have to work in the heart of the reprobate what is already there from the fall. But, God works in the hearts of the elect so that they will believe. It is not a question of whether or not they will, they WILL by God's choice.

According to a website which speaks about Calvinism v. Arminianism, one has aptly said: "The student seems to rightly recognize that inability alone cannot really decide the matter in favor of unconditional election since God could draw all to Himself (John 12:32), enabling all to believe and become the elect if that were how God sovereignly chose to do things (John 16:7-11; Titus 2:11; 1 Timothy 2:1-6;)."

This line of argument is true, if and only if it was the will of God to save all men and women. For the Supralapsarian the issue not whether God wanted to or did not want to save all people, but why He created the world. For one He did so to magnify His own glory by the salvation of electing some to eternal salvation and damnation of those who were reprobated to eternal damnation, and then He decreed to create both the elect and the reprobate and then decreed the fall of both the elect and the reprobate. So again the question is not about whether or not God COULD have elected all men the question is DID He? For one to answer this question he would have to go to Scripture and find out for himself.

The problem of pain and the cose of sin

This week Pastor Stewart Leafblad exegeted Luke 13:1-5.

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them,  'Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.'

The question to consider in this text: Why would God allow the events of 9/11 to happen?
There are two assumptions which are both false. 1. Suffering draws us closer to ourselves. That is it makes us learn to love one another. But, this is insufficient, for it makes lightly the problem of sin. 2. Martin Marty has said, "I don't know." This is the answer that says there is no answer. It gives suffering too much credit. Therefore there is no God.

However, when considering the question of suffering we must go back to God. The question one must ask is What does God say however?There are two tragic events where it involved the death of 'innocence' people - according to our worlds standards. In verse 2 Jesus answers by challenging the Jewish answer. That ones suffering is caused by ones deficiency. It is in other words Karma - that is what comes up must come down.

Verse 3 - Jesus answers no they were not the worse of sinners. This is the assumption that someone is suffering it must mean that they are worse than anyone else.

Verse 4 - Jesus explains with another example to help clarify the first comment.


There are 4 universal principles we may see in this passage:- Tragedy in a persons life as no sure signs of a persons standing. One can see that Jesus is now tearing down the issue of pride.

- Sin is personal. The external important matter is our own sinfulness.

- The result of the enterance in the world is death. This means that one day we will die. The proof that we are all sinners is that we all die. But there is another part of this death to - that is the fact that we are all born in Adam by birth and so are thus born spiritually dead which one sees the outcome of this spiritual death which leads ultimately to physical death.

- The judgment of God against sinners is eternal death which is so clearly emphasised in this verse

SO what is the conclusion?

There are no good people. We all like sheep have gone astray - Isaiah 53:6. Of course the way that I went is different than the way you may have gone -whether it be Homosexuality, disobedience to parents, or even stealing. We all choose to live in sin daily - this is the passive wrath of God who hands us over according to the lustful patterns of our hearts. Romans 1:18-32

We are to repent. Again the call is still the same for you and me to repent from sin.

God invites us to turn from our wickedness today to turn to Jesus Christ in faith - trusting not in ourselves for righteousness but in Him.

Finally, why does God allow suffering, it is because tragedy's are used by God so that we would know our sin. C.S. Lewis - the problem of pain.

The blessing of God's Free Grace

By faith I believe Jesus appeased the wrath of God by taking upon himself the sins of His people and giving them His righteousness.

Do I believe now?

"My confidence that I am born again does not rest in being able to remember the point when it happened, but in his finished work on the cross and in the relationship I have with the Lord now." - John Piper


I am not to trust in past accomplishments, but in the Cross. Paul also says this to the Corinthians I do not boast in anything other than the Cross of Jesus Christ.

How are Christians saved by faith alone in Christ Alone?

"It is to be remembered that efficacy of faith does not reside in itself. Faith is not something that merits the favour of God. All the efficacy unto salvation resides in the Saviour. As one has aptly and truly stated the case, it is not faith that saves but faith in Jesus Christ; strictly speaking, it is not even faith in Christ that saves but Christ that saves through h faith… The specific character of faith is that it looks away from itself and finds its whole interest and object in Christ. He is the absorbing preoccupation of faith." - John Murray

What is Justification?

"Justified" is not "Just as if I'd never sinned." That is a great truth. But it is actually better than that: "Just as if I'd always obeyed." God has credited the very righteousness of Jesus Christ to every believer. - Jerry Bridges

The unfairness of Man and the fairness of God

"Why do they not accuse God because He punishes innocent beasts and baptized infants with no small physical pain? indeed He gave up his own most innocent Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to a most painful, cruel, and tormenting punishment. But since God is omnipotent, completely free Lord of His whole creation, whose will alone is the most righteous law for all creation - if He should eternally punish the innocent, particularly sin He does it for the perfection of the universe, for the profit of others, and for the honor of God Himself, who would presume to dispute with Him, no one! 'Has the potter no right over the clay to make of the same lump one vessel for honor and another for menial use'?" - Bradwardine


God, who sent His own Son Jesus Christ to die the most horrific death ever imagined, cannot be charged with indecency when he does judge and destroy Man who have fallen and sinned and disobeyed Him.

God is still in charge and involved in the world

"Rather, we reduce God by making him a figurehead. We too often portray him as standing back from a world that runs on its own. We banish him to the hidden corners of our lives while we amble through life, pursuing our own ambitious goals driven by narcissism, hedonism, and materialism, and refusing to allow God to bridle our self-sufficiency." - John H. Walton

We should always live our lives knowing the fact that God who presents himself all through out salvific History (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is still ruling over it and ordering it and also moving it toward an end. When we think that God is too far away from us or not there we will start ruling our own lives and living how we think is right.

Reprobation is not the cause of sin

"It is by no means clear that if Adam had not sinned no one would have been reprobated. It seems possible that even if Adam had not sinned, all his descendants would not necessarily have been made sinless and confirmed until the end. Rather they would have had the freedom to choose or accept good or evil.... Therefore, the sin of Adam is not the primary cause of reprobation, but rather, as said above, if Adam had not sinned, God would have ordained differently." - Bradwardine

God's love for His People is perfect for those whom it intended to save

..."Preaching the gospel, he tells us, is not a matter of telling the congregation that God has set His love on each of them and Christ has died to save each of them, for these assertions, biblically understood, would imply that they will all infallibly be saved, and this cannot be known to be true. The knowledge of being the object of God’s eternal love and Christ’s redeeming death belongs to the individual’s assurance, which in the nature of the case cannot precede faith’s saving exercise; it is to be inferred from the fact that one has believed, not proposed as a reason why one should believe." - J.I. Packer


In other words because I am regenerated and justified and am being sanctified to believe is the fact that God did love me; that God did atone for my sins. John 3:16 - Are you believing now? For God loved the world in this way (qaulitatively) by giving up His son Jesus Christ so that any believing one will not perish but have eternal life. Christ actually took upon himself the due punishment that the sinner deserved, if the sinner on the one hand did not believe and was cast into the firey lake then it was because Christ did not atone for His sin.

On God, Evil, and Man

"God from all eternity, did, by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely, and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass: yet so, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures; nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established." -Westminster Confessions of Faith 3.1

God in ordaining that man should fall did not himself cause man to fall so that He is the author of sin, but that He ordained that man should fall by man being let go. So that man fell because he truly desired to fall and God permitted him to fall.

The importance of God's eternal Predestination

"The question of God's eternal predestination is not curious, or unprofitable, but of great importance, and very necessary in the church of God." - Theodore Beza

On Salfivic History

I have been thinking about this one: That the saint has been justified in Christ in eternity past. But that it is played out in time a certain point.

Whether God electing certian humans to be created and to be fallen would be considered to be unfair?

No. It would mean that God chose certian people out of a lump of unfallenness. The choice had nothing to do with whether or not these people were good or bad. It was on the pleasure of God. Keep in mind that election and reprobation are not... actions of condemnation. So although God chose to work in one group above another, he did so on the basis that these particular groups were not good or bad (They were in a sense neutral). It is there fallen state which is the reason for their condemnation. Because all men are sinners (bother elect and reprobate) none deserve to be saved. In the infra camp, they cannot seperate reprobation from condemnation.
So the real question when it comes down to it is not why not save more people, but why does he save?

Scripture verses: Romans 9:13; 17-23

And it is because God is the potter and humans are the clay in which we can not talk back to God. No one can say to God what have you done. Because God has full rights over the clay pots. Daniel 4:35 - What have you done?

Logical Order of Decrees

In the Supralapsarian camp God determines to save some (The elect unto salvation) and others not to be saved (The reprobate unto condemnation). According to the Supralapsarian position, "God, even in the decree to create and permit the fall, had his eye fixed on His elect individually, so that there was not a single moment in the divine decree, when they did not stand in a special relation to God as His beloved ones." Louis Berkhof. Thus although the divine decrees are different and distinct nothing frusterates His plan in accordance to the Supra position for God's plan to magnify his glory by the salvation of some and pertition of others will be played out. Where as in the infralapsarian position the decree are distinct and seperate. "Infralapsarians, on the other hand, hold that this personal element did not appear in the decree till after the decree to create and to permit the fall. In these decrees themselves the elect are simply included in the whole mass, and do not appear as the special objects of God's love. In other words all of humanity were sinners and so from the mass of fallen (sinful) man God's elect were chosen. This is ultimately the question which comes out of this - was "the fall in reality a frustration of his plan?" because in the scheme of things God first "decrees to create the world for the glory of His name, which means among other things also that He determined that His rational creatures should live according to the divine law implanted in their hearts and should praise their maker. Then He decrees to permit the fall, whereby sin enters the world. This seems to be a frusteration of the original plan, or at least an important modification of it, since God no more decrees to glorify, Himself by the voluntary obedience of all His rational Creatures." So that in the Infralapsarian position God is changing what He wills.

Philippians 2:5-13

This is not a full exposition of the passage just a bit of things that stood out during my gleanings in the passage. The main point of the passage: Believers are to become like Jesus by becoming obedient in all areas of life even in admist of trials.
Our Corporate Personality that is those who are in Christ Jesus should take on the likeness of their saviour in all areas of life, while also putting off sin's dominating force: Verse 5 tells us of the command, in verse 12-13 we are reminded again to work out the salvation which God gives to us (Ephesians 2:8-10) because God is the one who is working in his people to will and to act accordingly for His good pleasure.
The Incarnation: Verses 6-7 shows that our Lord Jesus Christ although was Fully God was truly incarnated in the form of a Man. Jesus was both God and Man while tabernacling here on this earth.
The Substitution: Verse 8 tells us that the Substitution was not an act done for no reason. If Christ death was an act of obedience then it shows that there was purpose behind His death. Acts 5:27-28 tells us that His death was not something that was optional. Christ death was a necessary act which God used to bring about His purposes in Salvific History. His death was a Substitionary atonement by which He died on behalf of His people by taking upon Himself the full wrath of God in the payment of sin.Further verse 8 informs us in the words "He humbled himself..." that Christ in reality is the one who layed down His own life. Thus showing purpose in His death. John 10:17-18 tells us this that Christ layes down His own life no one takes it from him, likewise He has the power to take it back up again.
There are other forms of doctrine enlisted in this hymn passage like the glorification of Jesus Christ in which because of His obedience He has recieved the Victory. Which all the demons, sinful men and women and sinful-saints, and the Angels will one day bow down to if not already.

The Supralapsarian "Will speak of predestination unto the grace of God in Jesus Christ, but not of a predestination unto sin." - Louis Berkhof

This means that the reprobate fell by their own will. That Sin was the work of Man and not of God, but God ordained that Man would fall.

"you know always thinking about trying to please the other person.,.. trying to change their mind about how they think of you... but can't cause they already have a perception of you that is this and that.... and thats what they want... it can be a good thing at times like... I cant trust him for something big... idk if hes able to handle it just yet.... but i'll trust him with something else..... maybe the reason why you can't change their mind is because they already judged you from the beginning... from the beginning they judged you by your actions and thoughts.... so you just never had a chance... but that should be a encouragment to just go out there and do what ever you want in the order of his or her God.... cause in the end it never mattered about what they thought or think.... Gods mind is what matters.. it is his thoughts that take you to places day to day... (in the order of him predestining each day for us.).. but I dont want to go into theology cause me myself is still learning.... trying to equate the one who cannot be equatable... trying to grasp the fog.... trying to get my hands around the one who is WONDERfull... what is sin? why is it here... yeah God is a JUST and Mighty God but what makes him save us for that? are we even searching for him? do we care for him?... you know for me im after wealth and feelings and not after God.. though I say I love God... do I mean it? idk maybe God knew before hand what would happen just like with peter.... I say this cause I myself is in a terrible mess... of dirty works myself.......... sooo what ever Love is I want to take hold of it... sweep me away as I should say cause I cant grab it... like water in the ocean I try to grab hold of it and it carries me away... just more random thoughts on this old xanga.."

Judge for yourself the theological stance. I think now I have a much fuller theology than back then though.

on Pridefulness

I now understand what Paul Mayhem is saying. When I say something like there are other peopple who have PHD's or are educated - he seems to think that what I am saying is that these people are also prideful giving into my own prideful or seemingly prideful manner of talking. His responses are always saying no you can have a Phd and still be prideful. My response now to him is that he needs to read with authorial intent. I will have to get the message he sent me so that my thoughts will be clearly put. This guy is very prideful.
First my responses is against the notion that he seems to think because I am online and stating some rough things that it means that I am being to self-centered. My response is always like this that he really does not know the intent of my heart over the internet and further he is not some custodian over my life so before he makes a judgment he must ask me first. I then say I have other people who have Phd's and are older who believe these things that I am giving and so that is when his response is that it does not matter on the age, anyone can be prideful either one who is 50 years old or one who has a Phd.
My responses are not saying that these people are prideful. If I were to say John Piper, or James White or some other theologian who he might know and like he would get what I am trying to say. Until then he will always look younger theologians who exposes great theological truths like the doctrine of election and its function (I mean whether it occured before man fell or after) as people who are prideful, who need to grow up and learn theology in a class setting - which is partly what my responses about other notable and respectful Christian scholars who know the doctrines that I am trying to expose and teach and even believe in them (I.E. Supralapsarian, Double predestination) are geared to respond to.

On Proper Functions in Marriage - Or What is a Proper Functioning Marriage?

"When compared with the biblical pattern of marriage and the family set forth in the opening chapters of Genesis, homosexuality fallse short on numerous fronts. First, as the antithesis of heterosexuality, homosexuality is at odds with God's design for marriage and the family at its most foundational level.... A second component of the biblical model of marriage that homosexuality violates is its complementary nature.... Since these marital roles are tied inherently and unalterably to gender, same-sex partners cannot participate in this aspect of biblical marriage....A third integrated component of God's design for marriage and the family that homosexuality does not fulfill is the duty to procreate.... By nature, however, homosexuality falls short of this essential component of the biblical/traditional model of marriage and the family, since it precludes reproduction."

Kostenberger, Andreas J. "God, Marriage, and Family" Pg. 202-03 2004 1st edition

I have been thinking a lot about what this guy has been telling me and my sharp disagreement with him. The problem is that 1) he seems to think that he is able to dictate what my atttitude is, by that 2) he seems to think that he is the only "one" that sees a problem. Now I go to a good Church (CTK) with pastors and deacons who care about the Church's growth (The Flock of Jesus Christ who hold membership at CTK) and so if there is a potential sin problem in my life that I am not seeing, then they would probably bring it to my attention. Further problems is that 3) he seems to think that by saying scriptural truths that harshly that it means that I am also being prideful.
My thought is that 1) I cannot do any good charity work through the internet... facebook. 2) I will give him what he seems to want which is 'peace' and 'solitude.' This will be a great way to refurbish on Scripture verses that I know and should know by now. Wisdom is shared not every calvinist think alike. To make an accurate judgment one needs to know the person before jumping to conclusions.
I can't help but speak as Jeremiah says. If what I say is from God then 1) would it not be humility for me to speak it? 2) why would I refrain from speaking it?

God's Righteousness and Holiness in His Justice against Condemned Sinners

There are many passages of scripture that alludes to God’s vengeance upon the wicked. You see this in the fall of man (Genesis 3) and even the flood accounts (Genesis 6). You also see this later in Genesis 11 where God comes down and confuses the people’s language and dispersed them from there. There are examples of God’s righteous Judgment on those who are proud and haughty. There are instances where the Jews for a time had to face God’s judgment (you may read Isaiah and Jeremiah for their warnings).

I say this because when thinking about hell, it is always necessary to think of God’s righteous character and his nature and his relationship to evil and sin. So it is because God is holy and just and good and righteous (Void of anything evil) he must punish sin - Whether I have sinned or even the one in prison or even the guy who has only committed sin once or whether it is God’s people (The Jews) or the gentiles. You may read upon God’s impartiality in Romans 2:11.

The Scriptures say that there will be a day of reckoning, where all men are judged according to what they have done (Romans 2). The Day of Judgment is a day that is unknown to Man (1 Thessalonians 5 – which says that the day will come as a surprise).

Hell is place for those preserved for Judgment due to sin (I know when I was growing up I thought heaven was a place where God resides and hell was the place where Satan resides and I am in the middle of the two powers hoping to be found in heaven when I die. This is actually a false perception of Hell). One particular passage is found in Jude verses 4-7 where we see that it is preserved for not just for men and women who deny the master and Lord, Jesus Christ, but also it is preserved for the angels and demons that fell away as you may see this in Luke 10: 18 which is a verse taken from Isaiah 14:12. You may also read Matthew 25: 41-46. To scripture it is a place of torment as you can read from passages like Luke 16:22-25. The Scripture says that Hell is a place that is full of fire Jude 23 which also tells us that it is real and not just something that is experienced through the mind. So in other words not only as shown from Luke 16 that it is a place of torment (where none of our needs will be met) it is also a place of physical torment.

For those who turn from their sin and turn to Christ however will be saved. The reason is because Christ being God was able to live the righteous lifestyle that we could never do on our own due to (being in Adam and our own sins) and because He was also Man he was able to take the place of sinners (this allures back to the OT sacrifices where the Jews made sacrifices to pacify God’s anger against sins committed that year – Leviticus 16) and rising again three days later proving that God was pleased in His sacrifice. Therefore all who turn to Christ and trust in Him alone who took the wrath of God, may be imputed his righteousness and be saved. (John 3:16-17 – God sent his son so that whoever believes in Him will be saved, Romans 10:1-4 – Christ is the righteousness for those who trust in Him by faith alone, and Romans 5:12-21 – where Christ is said to be the new representative for those who have faith in Him).

Jesus unique person

It is funny how all other world religions had a belief of a God/man but that Jesus Christ was unique as the God/man in that He became humbled and not rich. Although He was full of Grace and wisdom, he was also poor and lowly.

Philippians 2:5-11

Revelation 3:15-22

"'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'"

This passage is purely Restorative and not Evangelical.
Christ is restoring those who have fallen into disfellowship with Him by their lack of faith in Christ Jesus alone for their righteousness. There are three dotrines that are taught here: Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification. As Justification is rather than believers to come to a point in their life that they view their work as righteous or as having any standing on their own, they should remind themselves continually of the Gospel of Christ.
As Christ continues to knock on the believers hearts, so to he disciplines those He loves. The purpose is for them to be Christ like and for them to trust in Him alone. As believers repent from sin, and turn back to God through Christ, the fellowship is restored.
It is by this fellowship continually that Christians are being glorified. There is a Corporate Personality here where believers will become like Christ.

The need for Enlightenment

A.W. Pink says something to this effect in his book on the Holy Spirit:

'Naturally the disposition of Man is to hate His Creator and His Creator's holiness and righteousness.'

On the false notion of Becoming an Elect child of God.

My professor once said that when he comes to faith in Christ that it is at that moment in time that he has become God's elect. Partly after hearing my professor and reading this excerpt from Louis Berkhof from what it sounds like the view is saying is: That God has elected the Church for salvation and anyone who does not fall into the salvivic camp in the Church by faith in Christ is a reprobate and anyone who does so is an elect. Now I think the problem here if this is actually what the view is saying is that it is misusing the terms: Election and Reprobation for the Church and the Lost.

"Camfield therefore says in his Essay in Barthian Theology, entitled Revelation and the Holy Spirit: 'It needs to be emphasized that predestination does not mean the selection of a number of people for salvation and the rest for damnation according to the determination of an unknown and unknowable will. That idea does not belong to predestination proper.' Predestination brings man into crisis in the moment of revelation and decision. It condemns him in the relation in which he stands to God by nature, as sinner, and in that relation rejects him, but it chooses him in the relation to which he is called in Christ, and for which he was destined in creation. If man responds to God's revelation by faith, he is what God intended him to be, an elect; but if he does not respond, he remains a reprobate. But since man is always in crisis, unconditional pardon and complete rejection continue to apply to every one simultaneously. Esau may become Jacob, but Jacob may also become once more Esau. Says McConnachie: 'For Barth, and as he believes, for St. Paul, the individual is not the object of election or reprobation, but rather the arena of election or reprobation. The two decisions meet within the same individual, but in such a way that, seen from the human side, man is always reprobate, but seen from the divine side, he is always elect....The ground of election is faith. The ground of reprobation is want of faith. But who is he who believes? And who is he who disbelieves? Faitand unbelief are grounded in God. We stand at the gates of mystery.'"

Pg. 111

Up From The Grave He Arose!

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him." - 1 Peter 3:18-22

This is a really good and often confused paragraph: But, one of the major significance for Christ's suffering on the cross and dying and rising again three days later is what it entails: Victory. The Atonement is not an event which shows the demonic power winning over God. No. The Atonement is rather the main purpose for all of Creation itself. It ultimately displays the Soveriegnty of God over all powers. Ultimately the atonement was the victory over evil!

Baptism is a response to what the Spirit has done in one (Titus 3); i.e. New Birth, creating faith in one.

But the gospel does not just stop at the resurrection. It is also connected with the fact that Jesus Christ also ascended into the heavens and sits at the right hand of God the Father above all other things. All things are subjected to Him. In Him are the keys to Life, no one can be justified apart from Him and apart from being counted as righteous with his righteousness alone. Further, Christ also knows who is His and who is not His and so He sits at the right hand of God the Father interceding on behalf of the saints.

On the Crucifixion

The Crucifixion was God by sending His Son Jesus Christ to die as a substitutionary Atonement on behalf of Sinners. Because Adam the first representive first sinned and us being in him in some mysterious way therefore we also have recieved his guilt. Paul draws this conclusion out in 1 Corinthians 5 with the analogy of the bread. Therefore because Adam sinned none of us have a relationship with God. Death entered the world and spread to all of humanity (Romans 5:12-14). Not only is all of humanity found guilty for surely none of us are born into the world Knowing God, but also through all of our personal sinning (Romans 1:18-2:29) we fall short of the glory of God. Therefore it was completely necessary for the Divine Son of God to come in the flesh. For the blood of goats and bulls were not able to take away sins on behalf of man for they are not human, and also it was necessary because Jesus is also the second person of the Holy Trinity - He is God and so was able to fulfill all righteousness and also take upon Himself the sins of the whole world. Furthermore it was necessary for the Divine Son of God to come and atone for Sins because all of our transgressions are against ultimately an eternal, infinite, Holy God, therefore our sins require a payment that is eternal, infinite, and Holy. Jonathan Edwards speaks well on this issue in His sermon on Ephesians 3.

What does it mean to me when I tag Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone) at the end of a note or letter?

For one it means that God does all things for his glory. That He is not just the one on the throne up above, but that he is actually orchrastrating every event for His good pleasure sort of like what Acts 4:28. But even further He is workin...g out all things in peoples lives for His name sake for those who are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). Not only does Soli Deo Gloria mean that God works in all things for His glory and pleasure, but it also means that I too as well as others should live for His glory in response to what He does (Romans 6:4). Its not only in response to what He does, although without His work in me I could not positively live for his Glory as Christ now lives forever at the right hand of God, but its I should live for His glory because of who He is - almighty holy infinite God! I am to ascribe to the Lord the value and measure of His intrinsic worth; I am to Worship God by glorify Him and Enjoying Him forever (Psalm 96:7-9). Isaiah 48:9-11

My Apology

Recently this past semester and winter break I have had to deal more with my parents in evangelism. My parents do not believe much of what I say. I would grow frustrated talking with them. This frustration was in part do to a line of thinking that I was dealing with this alone. I would have enjoyed the help of someone coming a long side and speaking to my father as well, but none came to my side. This was primarily the reason why I began to start on my rant on True Calvinism. Also there were other factors as well which played a big role: not knowing what to do in this certain situation. I for one do not like restraints when it comes to women and dating. I feel like I had already had those types of restraints back in high school. This is probably one of the reasons for why I really enjoyed my Discipler who is a reformed baptist. He encouraged me to ask the ladies out on dates, although, I would not do to shyness... At the end of the day God is still good and is still glorified in my life and in my body.

God's election is caused and is not seperated from His foreknowledge

Although God's foreknowledge and Election of individuals are different. That is God's foreknowledge being His everlasting love toward the individual and God's election being the choice to save the individual.

God's foreknowledge and electing actions really are not seperate. To some degree they go together. It is not that God's election means that the individual does not have free will. It is that the individual really with his free-will, in the fallen state that he is in, cannot freely choose God. He is a sinner, dead in his trespasses and sins. God's election for one to be saved means that God is going to work in that individual so that the individual will repent and turn to Christ by the grace of the Holy Spirit alone. With the others (Reprobate) God simply leaves them in their sins, freelly to choose what they want which is sin.

He does not have to deal with the reprobate (that is prevent them from repenting and turning to Christ in faith). God's election should not be seen as something tyranical, but something good. For the elect owes his faith to being the elect, but his election to his faith.

The extent of Christ Death.

Many Calvinist in trying to respond to those who are not Calvinist in saying that Christ death is "sufficient for all, but efficient for the elect only." This statement is false however, for it says that Christ's merely took upon himself the wrath of God (which is true. Christ really did die to propitiate or appease or pacify the wrath of God in His death). But the fact is that Christ also took upon Himself the sins of the elect only and not the worlds. So to say that Christ death is sufficient for all is to say that Christ death only made it possible for all to come, but all cannot come because they are depraved and so it is therefore just efficient for God's elect.
The truth is that Christ death was sufficient for the elect only and efficient for the elect only. The reprobate cannot turn to Christ nor has God ordained such things to happen. In leaving the reprobate in their sin God has not sinned for He does not work in the reprobate something that they have already which is sin.

Exhortation to the Strong

As I read critical reviews of Rob Bell and his new book coming out and then hear and read by many other brothers in the Lord proclaiming that the critique is unwarranted and just giving their piece of mind about it. I am reminded of Romans 14-15. Paul is speaking to the Strong Christian in this conversation and he says,

"As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand" - Romans 14:1-4.

In Verse 1 Paul says that the strong should welcome the weak in faith. Who are the weak in faith? They are not those who are actually weak in faith necessarily; meaning that they are men filled with pride of their own. The strong are to not quarrel over opinions as the weak may do to the strong.
In verse 2 - those who believes he may eat anything are the strong. The strong Christians understand that the Kingdom of heaven is not about drink, or food, "but of one of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" - Verse 17. In this verse Paul describes the weak who passes judgements on those who are strong who believe they may eat anything. But Paul says to welcome the weaker brother.
In verse 3 Paul gives the command for the strong not to dispise his weaker brother, who because of his weaker faith does not believe he may eat anything, for,Paul says, God has welcomed him. How amazing it is that God still welcomes those who are weak in the faith? For as Paul will say later that both live to honor the Lord. How humiliating is this? A Calvinist is having to welcome the Arminian and make sure to uphold the Arminian for his faith. As we are shown in verse 17 that righteousness and peace and joy come from the Spirit of God alone.
In verse 4, again this is a clear sign that Paul is speaking only to the stronger Christian in this verse. Paul starts by asking a question - "Who are you to pass judgement on the servant of another?" If Paul was here speaking to the weak, then why would he say first 'who are you?' It is the weak who do not think they are anything. It is the weak who assumes to live by the law. It is usually the strong who think they are of anything. We are not to judge the weaker man's habits for he is a servant of another. 4b gives us not only a reason, but also a clearer reason how we know he is speaking to the strong. For he says that it is before the weaker brother's master that he himself is able to stand. And the Lord is able to make him stand till the end.
As strong Christians we must bare the failings of the weak so to help grow them in the faith.

I am not talking about rob bell in this note. Rob Bell is not the weaker christian, he is lost if he truly believes what he believes.

The Gift of Humility founded upon Philippians

The main point of Philippians is: Glorifying God through unifying obedience to Him in Christ Jesus in all Circumstances with Joy.

Part of the subservient point of the main point is Humility.

Philippians 1:6 - "I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Philippians 2:12-13 - "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

Philippians 3:3 - "For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh -"

Philippians 4:13 -"I can do all things through him who strengthens me."

The point is that Humility is just as much as the gift of God as Faith is. I was reading something prior to this thought which caused me to write this. It said something about one of the founding fathers of America believing that humility is something man can achieve. According to Philippians the statement is far from the truth of God.

Do all things for the Glory of God

"Be Thou exalted over my reputation. Make me ambitious to please Thee even if as a result I must fall into obscurity and my name be forgotten as a dream." -A.W. Tozer

I like this quote from A.W. Tozer. This is really great, for it presents to Christian's that they should neither stay away from having good reputation or having a reputation is ends up being forgotten. Both can be something that people in either one of the camps may cling to. Tozer says No, for it is not about us but it is about Christ and him glorified. Whatever lot one may fall in be in it for the Glory of God and not for selfish reasons. This reminds me of what Paul says again in Philippians 4 - that he can do all things through him [Christ] who strengthens me.



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This quote by Tozer is really not good. Tozer was an Arminian who believed that man had free will and that Christ died for the sins of every single human being universally.

On Students, Pride, and Learning

Dear Blog,

I do not know how to write what I am seeing. The Dorms here at school are surrounded by ignorant prideful young children, who just got out of high school, who are learning how to think and reason on their own. I am not sure how to react about this. Let me just say I am at times am not the best person to communicate with. At times I fail trying to present my case or my thought. With them trying be rational all the time, they become irrational at times. I have gone through the same study and problem as they have gone through. I long for them to read Theilicke who talks about such things and practice and tells us to not become prideful in our study of them. I am not against the Theological Hall or the study of Philosophical Science I am more concerned about their gentleness and love and humility. I pray that this may not be just another means by which men are cast down into hell.

The freedom of the Will and Its bondage

"In all ages, however, there have been those who contended for the abslute freedom or sovereignty of the human will. Men will argue that the will possesses a self-determining power. For example, they say, I can turn my eyes up or down; the mind is quite indifferent which I do; the will must decide. But this is a contradiction in terms. This case supposes that I choose one thing in preference to another, while I am in a state of complete indifference. Manifestly, both cannot be true. But it may be replied that the mind was quite indi...fferent until it came to have a preference. Exactly; and at that time the will was quiescent, too! But the moment indifference vanished, choice was made, and the fact that indifference gave place to preference, overthrows the argument that the will is capable of choosing between two equal things. Ass we have said, choice implies the acceptance of one alternative and the rejection of the other or others.

That which determines the will is that which causes it to choose. If the will is determined, then there must be a determiner. What is it that determines the will? We reply, the strongest motive power which is brought to bear upon it."

More on God's Election

When the Lord foreknows someone, He does not look down into the hallways of time and sees if that person will accept His gracious offer, but it is more that God before the foundations of the world Knew those He has elected with everlasting love and compassion. It was because of God's free pleasure He had set on those he Had elected, that they were predestined to life eternal.

But some will ask then why do you then do missions. If God obviously predestines some to salvation on the basis of his Divine pleasure on them, what is the point? The point is that my fellow man and brother, that God had not only predetermined the elect unto divine pleasure and the reprobate unto divine displeasure, but He also ordained the intended means by which men shall also be saved which is through Christ and Him alone by grace through faith.

Well how do you account for sin and evil in the world? Or does God election and reprobating mean that the elect are sinless, where as the reprobate are not? (if the question is clear). By no means. God election is his acceptance of certain individuals for not in something in them, but for God's good pleasure alone and His rejection to certain individuals was not because of something in them, but of God's pleasure alone. When Adam and Even fell in the garden both the reprobate and the elect fell. Therefore giving the reason for the condemnation and the saving act of God. Those who are elected will be ensured of Salvation, while those who were rejected will not repent and believe the good news.

Well then does that mean that God then prevents the reprobate from believing in Him? (this question deals with the aspect of Equal-ultimacy). By no means, God does not have to create unbelief in those who are fallen already. He simply leaves them to their own state of depravity. Whereas with his elect He regenerates the spirit so that they will believe in Him. As R.C. Sprouls simply puts, "Positive has to do with God's active intervention in the hearts of the elect. Negative has to do with God's passing over the non-elect.
The Reformed view teaches that God positively or actively intervenes in the lives of the elect to insure their salvation. The rest of mankind God leaves to themselve. He does not create unbelief in their hearts. That unbelief is already there. He does not coerce them to sin."

It still sounds like you are rejecting missions and human responsibility. It may seem that I have forsaken missions and human responsibility. But the fact is however I have not forsaken these biblical creedances or commandments. As Romans 10 says that Faith comes by hearing and hearing from the word of God. How then can anyone hear the good news if no one is sent? and if no one is sent then how will anyone believe?
Romans 10:14-17 "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!' But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, 'Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?' So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ."

I can't believe this doctrine of election. It seems too harsh and makes God seem like a tyrant.
Well no one says that you have to believe in this doctrine for salvation. For Christ Righteousness is imputed by grace alone through faith in Him alone, who fulfilled the law on behalf of the sinners so that they may repent from their sins and be saved in Him alone. However, I would ask you to seriously look at what you are rejecting and look at the Scriptures. If you see this doctrine of election truly in the scriptures then it means that you ought to humble yourself before God and trust in His sovereignty. I would tell you to look at various versus of Scripture that speaks of it (Acts 13, Ephesians 1-3, Galatians 1, Romans 8-9, Jeremiah 31:3)

Paul's election for the sake of preaching the gospel

"But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles..." Galatians 1:15-16

We are told here that election is before Paul was born. Else where in Romans 9 we are told that God elected Jacob and Reprobated Esau before they werer not yet born and before either one of them had done anything either good or bad - God chose Jacob for Divine pleasure and Esau for Divine displeasure. Therefore I may further say that here God before Paul was born set him apart for vessels of glory from vessels of destruction. God was therefore please that He might reveal Christ to the Apostle. There is another thing I want to mention here and that is the fact that reveal may also be something that means to unveil. That is God unveiled Paul's darkened eyes that Paul might see the glory of Christ crucified for Sinners. As it is said that Christ death is to be a mystery for those who not believe and who are void of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 1-2). This divine election was so that Paul might preach the gospel to the Gentiles. As Men and Women of the Grace of God we should be humbled for salvation was not of our own doing or any fore seeing of us doing anything. It was all of God and not of me. Therefore Humble yourselfs in obedience to God's gracious work, which He prepared beforehand that We should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10) as we are His workmanship in Christ! God be praised! May His truth be accepted and applied today.

On faith, covenant, and grace of God

The thing about faith is that it is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, this faith as much as it is a gift from God is not a stand alone faith. But as part of the Covenant of grace is one where it is a new mind (Romans 12:1-2).

"It is to be remembered that efficacy of faith does not reside in itself. Faith is not something that merits the favour of God. All the efficacy unto salvation resides in the Saviour. As one has aptly and truly stated the case, it is not f...aith that saves but faith in Jesus Christ; strictly speaking, it is not even faith in Christ that saves but Christ that saves through h faith. The specific character of faith is that it looks away from itself and finds its whole interest and object in Christ. He is the absorbing preoccupation of faith." - John Murray

"But Christ is the condition of the covenant, as he is to be applied unto us, and must be embraced by faith, for every condition of the covenant is Jesus Christ already embraced, and applied unto us by faith." Robert Rollock

Although faith is an exercise by us in which we embrace Christ Jesus as part of the Covenant of Grace between God and God's Elect, it is definately sustained by the Holy Spirit of God.

What I mean by stand alone faith - is that faith that is just partamentalized as I believe in the color red, I believe that my car will start, and finally I believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. No, but it is something in which is wrought about by the renewing of one's mind. This means all of the mind is effected by this faith, which in turn effects the way of our living and understanding. (Ephesians 5)

On Law, Jesus, and Paul

"Ohhh, ok, my mistake. I have been trying for many years to have it explained to me. If you understand it, please explain it to me. I would appreciate it very much.

Oh, and I should have posted this in my last reply and I didn't. I don't like to say things without showing the verses. I apologize for not posting it before but this should explain why I said you are going against what the bible says:

In Matthew 5:17-18, Jesus stated: '17 Think not that I have come to abolish the law and the [way of] the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them. 18For, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.'

However, Paul, who claimed to be a disciple of Jesus, systematically cancelled the laws. In his letter to the Romans, chapter 7:6, he stated, "But now we are discharged from the law, dead to that which held us captive, so that we serve not under the old written code but in the new life of the Spirit."

This was a question raised to me back when I first started debating on my own on various websites. I felt the call in my life to start defending the faith back in 2005-06ish. After I recently tried looking up my blog site with just using 'prisonerofjoy' I found this particular forum I had once been on. The question is clear. The person who had raised the question saw some sort of tension or contradiction between the two parts. To be clear they saw Matthew 5 as a contradiction with the verses from Romans 7. The question is simple does Paul cancel out the Law? My response would be No. Another important question before I get into the reason why is is there a contradiction in these verses? I would say No, again. The Romans 7 verse is speaking of soteriological. While the Matthew 5 verse is speaking of the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. In other words Christ is the promise Messiah. Furthermore Christ is the one who being God was able to fulfill the Law. For God cannot sin, even so Christ is also Man, thereby able to live and die perfectly on behalf of Totally Depraved Men who are by nature dead in their sins. What this means is that if Christ was not God and simply human then on some strange account that he obeyed God's commands perfectly He would not have been able to impute righteousness to those who Trust in Him Nor would he be able to die on behalf of those thus diverging God's Wrath which was righteously set on Man. But He would just be fulfilling what God had commanded for Himself.
Onto Romans 7:6 What Paul is speaking of here is that the Law for sinful man could not save anyone however. The Law was only meant to show us our Inability to obey God. Paul says, that "having died to that which held us captive" meaning that the Law only condemns. Paul will later on say that the Law is good. So Paul is not against the Law. But how did we die? well in the next part of the verse it says that we (Those in Christ) serve in the new way of the Spirit. In Romans 8 Paul discusses that it is only by the Spirit can one walk according to the Spirit and so Please God. We are not saved by works but by grace through faith... for the purpose of good works (Ephesians 2:8..10) for God's glory (Ephesians 2:7). It is only through the Spirit that we may worship God (John 4:23-24, Philippians 3:1-3).
So now if I have not answered it already. Does Paul cancel out the Law? Certianly not. in Romans 6 Paul speaks of Christians being corporately part of Christ through Christ's Death. Just as Christ died to sin and was buried and was raised for the glory of God the Father. So Redeemed men and women in Christ have died to the bondage of sin and so are raised so that they ought to and will live for the glory of God the Father. But Paul later on will ask the question if it is by grace then are we to sin so that grace may abound? The answer is no. Because Grace enables us to live in accordance to God's standards not that we are justified by the Law for no one can be justified by the law.

Editors note: I will probably look over a commentary later to make sure I have not misapplied something. But I think over all it is good.

Venting Something out.

YOU gave me knowledge. Yet you were not true to your words. We were a picture of what a true relaitonship ought to be based on. Yet you were not true to that even still.

On Equal Ultimacy

Scripture says that God hands over the unrighteous men and women to the lust of their own hearts who distort the truth of God and fashion for themselves idols from what has been clearly percieved because God Himself makes it known to them Romans 1:18-32. What does this passage tell us about God? That God does not hide. Scripture says that, "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them" V. 19. That God gives people over to the lust of their hearts. Three times it is said that He gave them up to the lust of their hearts (Vs. 24, 26, 25). Notice how this action by God is a result of something. So because people supress the truth of God The wrath of God is revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. So these actions are a sign of God's wrath. All men hate God Romans 3 says they do not fear God and because of this they do evil things. But perhaps also because they do evil things they also do not fear God.
This is different from John 4:23-24 which speaks of the opposite side of what is happening here. For here we see that God seeks true worshipers who worship God in spirit and in truth. True worshipers are those who do not supress the truth and also have right emotion or response to the truth of God. Moses Silva in his commentary said that Philippians 3:3 correlates with John 4:23-24, which also correlates well with Thesis of Romans 1:16-17, which is antithetical to Romans 1:18-32. But Silva says that it is by the Spirit of God we worship for  it is by the Spirit we are circumcised. J.I. Packer said in his listing of the purpose of the Spirit of God is to glorify Christ Jesus. We are lead by the Spirit when Christ is lifted up high. For the reason is that we are saved by Christ righteousness alone and not anything of our own. This is partly the reason why Islam and Calvinism cannot be united as positing the same god. For in Islam, god is not acting upon his nature. In Calvinism he is and so there is comfort that God will not say one thing one moment and something else the next. Also when God saves His people he does not save according to works done in the flesh, but according to His pleasure. Dr. Giesler is not the first one to say that Calvinism and Islam are the same, I believe there are others who do a cursery reading of the Qur'an and Scripture and Calvinism text.
But going back to Romans we see that God is not working in the individuals to do evil. But God is giving them up to their own lust. Supralapsarianist claim that God elected some for salvation and reprobated others for damnation before either one of the clay lumps did anything good or bad. Then that God created all of them and then that God permitted the fall so that Both the Elect and the Reprobate are fallen and have a need of salvation. So God decreed that Christ who is both God and Man to win the salvation of the Elect, and to apply that salvation to the elect by the Spirit of God. But what you see here is that the Reprobate are fallen, so when God passes them by He does not work anything in them (like evil) but that he leaves them in their sins. For unbelief is not the reason for condemnation, sin is and God is still just for condemning one even if He never hears the gospel news. Which is also what Romans 1 teaches us. While in the elect He works His salvific grace in them so that they will believe, will repent, and become like Christ.  

R.C. Sproul in his book Chosen by God pg. 142-43 tells us what Equal Ultimacy is and how it does not fit in the Reformed view of Double Predestination:

"There are different views of double predestination. One of these is so frightening that many shun the term altogether, lest their view of the doctrine be confused with the scary one. This is called the equal ultimacy view.
Equal ultimacy is based on a concept of symmetry. It seeks a complete balance between election and reprobation. The key idea is this: Just as God intervenes in the lives of the elect to create faith in their hearts, so God equally intervenes in the lives of the reprobate to create or work unbelief in their hearts. The idea of God's actively working unbelief in the hearts of the reprobate is drawn from biblical statements about God hardening people's hearts.
Equal ultimacy is not the Reformed or Calvinist view of predestination. Some have called it 'hyper-Calvinism.' I prefer to call it 'sub-Calvinism' or, better yet, 'anti-Calvinism.' Though Calvinism certainly has a view of double predestination, the double predestination it embraces is not one of equal ultimacy.
To understand the Reformed view of the matter we must pay close attention to the crucial distinction between positive and negative decrees of God. Positive has to do with God's active intervention in the hearts of the elect. Negative has to do with God's passing over the non-elect.
The Reformed view teaches that God positively or actively intervenes in the lives of the elect to insure their salvation. The rest of mankind God leaves to themselve. He does not create unbelief in their hearts. That unbelief is already there. He does not coerce them to sin. They sin by their own choices. In the Calvinist view the decree of election is positive; the decree of reprobation is negative.
Hyper-Calvinism's view of double predestination may be called positive-positive predestination. Orthodox Calvinism's view may be called positive-negative predestination."

I found this on google books.

God's will in salvation

"The reprobate are rejected supra lapsum by the will of God but damned on account of their sin; and though a man be predestined to salvation supra lapsum, he is still responsible to seek greater sanctification as a member of the covenant of grace." Pg. 101

New Position in Christ Alone

We may know Christ saves us from the guilt and sin and its penalties, however, for those believing in Christ for His righteousness, God has also placed them positionally in the heavenly places. As redeemed people we must also consider our new position, who we are in Christ as well as the benefits of His righteousness. This I may call corporate personality - I was dead to sin, but now I am alive unto grace so I may live to glorify God the Father just as Jesus the Son lives for his glory. Ephesians 2:6 - Beautiful !

Humility and Christ and His righteousness

I like this one: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." It reminds me of the situation with Jesus when and why He ate with tax collectors and sinners. Or perhaps maybe the prayer in Luke 18:9-14. I pray that I may take hold of all the attitudes in Matthew 5:1-12. Romans 10:1-4 - Jesus Christ is the sinners only righteousness. Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the cross I cling.

By the way in Matthew 9:9-13 (Where the dispute about Jesus eating with Tax collectors and sinners is also given) You do not ever want to be the Pharisees (who have no need of a saviour). The Contrast between the Pharisees and those who were tax collectors and sinners is not that the Pharisees were well and the tax collectors and sinners were not. It is that the Pharisees in while they were doing "good' things they did not see their own need of a Saviour to redeem them upon the cross and so be given Christ righteousness through faith in Christ alone. It was only the Tax collectors and sinners who know their need of saving. For the Pharisees Jesus finds no place in them to stay. This is significant - for it shows 1. the Pharisees were lost (we see them as men who are saved or at good status). They were lost, that means there will be those who do not see their need of a Eternal Divine Saviour, but will continue in their pride of self-righteousness. What to do with them? (I suppose just deal with them as if you were trying to witness to anyone else) 2. Christ finds his home in those whom have humbled themselves in obedience to God's only remedy of Salvation. It is in them who are blessed forever more with the presence of God - to worship and sing His praises like that of the Seraphims in Isaiah 6.

Supralapsarian View that I see fit

(1) God's decree to glorify himself (Nature and Being)
(2) as a means to that goal, the decree to the election of some and the reprobation of others;
(3) the decree to create those elected and reprobated;
(4) the decree to permit the fall; and
(5) the decree to provide salvation for the elect through Jesus Christ wrought about by the Holy Spirit

Down below however is a list of "different views." I would hold closer to the first one. However, It must be said that all of them stress that the election and reprobation of men are unfallen and uncreated - which is contrary to the Infralapsarianist view.

First few Chapters of Romans. Chapters 1 and 2 (Not completed yet)

Paul wrote the letter to the Romans, in A.D. 57. His purpose in doing so was to seek cooperation of the Romans for his projected mission to Spain as suggested by chapter 15:24; 28. It is to my knowledge and understanding, though you may find other well knowledgeable and scholarly sources that differ – like Schriener, that Paul wrote his theological letter so that the Roman church would help. The theme of this letter is righteousness by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone (Romans 1:16-17)

Romans 1:1-7 Paul says that he was called not on the basis of works but on the free grace of God in order to do ministry or for the gospel sake. Verse 1 Paul is a servant for the gospel. 2-4 speaks about this gospel. Verse 2 tells us that God planned this gospel through the prophets (1 Peter 1:10), which shows that this is not something random, or without purpose. Verse 3 says that the subject of the gospel is Jesus Christ. And finally verse 4 says that he was declared by the Spirit to be the Son of God and was resurrected. He says that he has received grace in verses 5 and 6 for his apostleship and His goal is to bring about as John Piper says, obedience that comes from faith that is by grace all for his glory or namesake. Verse 6 I have chosen to put verse 6 together with verse 5 because it is saying amongst them or including them the gentiles in Rome. Finally Paul closes by blessing them. First of all he says those who are loved by God, receive grace (empowerment) and peace (with God) from God the Father and from God the Son, no one else.

-How does one earn grace? (Can’t it is a free gift from God)

-How should you live then, what is the purpose of grace? (Humility) Have you ever received a gift from someone (?) you did not expect? (If yes) What was your response or reaction? (Gratitude, thankfulness, humbleness) (1 Corinthians 4:6-7)

-For what purpose is all of this? (For God’s glory)

Romans 1:8-15 Paul says in verses 8 that he thanks God through Christ, because of their faith, which is known to all the church Paul has planted is known. In verses 9-10, Paul says that he prays in order to visit them in Rome. The reason is found in verse 11, because he longs to see them, in order to be mutually built up in the faith 11b-12. In verse 13-15 Paul wants to preach the gospel to everyone. Verse 13, the reason for his visit is so that he may reap a harvest amongst them and also the other gentiles, because of his apostleship received by grace or empowered by grace he is obligated to share the gospel to both the wise and the foolish.

-What is your goal or purpose in life? (is it to glorify the God of the salvation you profess to have?)

-How should you relate in your relationships with one another (with those who are saved and those who are not saved)?

Romans 1:16-17 Paul gives the reason why he yearns to preach the gospel from verse 15 in verse 16-17. He says that the gospel is the empowerment to save for it is the righteousness of God from faith in Christ and not of ones works. (John 3:16, Romans 10:1-4)

1:16-17 How does the gospel save sinners? (it saves by Christ sacrificial death on the cross for the payment of your and mine sins so that you and I may by faith receive the righteousness that is from God by grace).

But why faith?

What is faith – trust in God, believes him at who he is and what he promises, and obeys Him, but faith also knows God. Jeremiah 9:24, John 17:3, Hebrews 11:1

By faith we know God intimately (through prayer and reading of his word) and so by knowing God we know ourselves and our need for a saviour. So by faith we trust in God that he will do what He will promise and so by faith we also obey.

Romans 1:18-23 Paul speaking of the gentiles says all men have no excuse against the wrath of God even those who are without truth. In verse 18 he says God’s wrath is revealed against all godliness of men who supress the truth. Verses 19 and 20 give the reason why they are without excuse. Verse 19 says God has plaining revealed himself, because it is he who has shown it to them. Verse 20 further states the conclusion and explaination in much detail about how God has revealed himself. Verses 21-23 state the reason for their distructiveness. 21 they knew God, they knew their sins were wrong, but they did not honor Him as God, and their thinking and their hearts became darkened. Verse 23 says they started worshiping the created beings rather than the creator.

God acted, he made it evident to them. All the men and the women know God verse 21 yet their knowledge of him is disorted or supressed. Everybody supresses the truth and therefore they do not glorify God or thank Him. Therefore they are without excuse.

-Do you think this is true? (say one of your friends (making it personal) is on a desert island and all they had was two trees and the ocean surrounding them, now they know that there is somehow a god, but they do not know who he is or what he is like. They have never heard of the gospel. Based upon your friends limited knowledge will God save them?)

-Do you ache and long for the lost to come to saving knowledge of Jesus Christ?

Romans 1:24-25 Paul says that because of this God gives them over to their own evil desires and so their sexual conduct became impure.

Romans 1:26-27 Paul says that the men and women went even further in their sexual misconduct. 26 says that God gave them up to the actions or their desires or passions that were dishonorable to God. The reason how this is shown is first of all through their women. Verse 27 speaks of the men who were inflamed with evil desires as that of the women.

Romans 1:28-32 Paul says that God gave them up even further and so men (and woman) became evil in all of their actions. Verse 29 –31 speak of the nature and conduct of their own debased minds and actions. Verse 32 simply says that they not only desire to do these things, but they praise and approve of others who do them as well.

- Is God just in judging men?

- The most rebrobate sinner carries about within him a knowledge of his just exposure to the wrath of God. Are you doing and endorsing godly things (things that pleases God)?

John Piper uses an illustration of the adult magazine company who not only loves it’s sin, but also endorses and approves of those who do it.

- What if you professing to be a Christian (one who trust in Christ for righteousness before God and enjoys Christ with your whole heart and soul and mind and power and lives for his glorious passions) start to live out your Christian life in such a way and pray before them and on their behalf that makes other also long to enjoy God in Jesus Christ and so that God by his grace and mercy he might save them?

So Paul just got finishing telling us that his apostleship is based on God’s powerful grace for the preaching of the Gospel to the Greek and the Jews. Then he informs us that the Gentiles commit evil acts and are condemned.

Romans 2:1-5 Paul says that the Jews who practice the same things will not escape God’s wrath for any reason. In verse 1 Paul tells us the reason why the Jews are without excuse, for they who judge the gentiles also commit the same things. Verse 2 tells us that God’s judgement is in accordance to the truth with those who practice such things. Verses 3-4 Tells us what the Jews are doing. In verse 3, the Jews continued the action that is found in verse 1. Schriener says that they were self-decieved. Verse 4 Paul says that they scorned the kindness of God. Verse 5 closes by saying that it is because of their hardness of heart that they are storing up wrath for themselves on judgment day.

Romans 2:6-11 Paul now exclaims that God shows no partiality in His judgements. Verse 6 gives off a reason for verse 5 and starts off the section. 7 – 10 gives us the explaination of verse 6. 7 starts off with those who do good works will be granted eternal life. 8 gives us the contrast that those who persist in unrighteousness will face God’s wrath. According to verse 9 the person who does evil will have tribulation and distress, while the person who does good will experience glory and honor and peace (10). Verse 11 gives us the reason for verse 6. Because there is no partiality with God, God will repay each person according to his or her works.

- God shows no partiality in His judgements, Can someone be saved by doing good deeds?

Romans 2:12-16 Paul continues and says that God will judge both the Jews who have the Law by the Law and the Gentiles without the law with the law on their hearts. Verse 13 gives the reason clause for 12 and simply says that it is the doers of the law who will be justified. Verse 14 gives a reason clause for verse 13b, it says although the Gentiles do not have the law and yet do by nature occasionally what the law demands they become the law. Thus (15) they have the law written on their hearts. Since also they have the law written on their hearts they feel badly for not obeying the norms moral value. Verse 16 indicates the extent of God’s judgement, He will judge the secrets of man’s hearts and thus it is not mere possession of the law nor occasioned obedience that will save man.

- Have you ever thought that because you were close to your father that when mother was mad at you that you could run to him?

- What does this text say about Jesus? What does it say about man?