Well, though I have one follow at this moment, I still feel terrible for not blogging. I'm sure my follow doesn't even check on any blogs so... I will be writing this to me.
Ah... T.U.L.I.P., how the majority of Christianity ignores you and bases your affirmations on a tyrant-God like deity. I for one (as I continually hope) am always open to theology, especially theology that we tend to overlook when we attend an either Arminian or Calvinist based church. Now many people do not like these labels put towards certain groups of believers, but for the sake of theology why not? I attend a Arminian college for my Bachelors in Practical Theology. Though the core of my classes at this very moment are not deeply rooted in theology, there still exists a certain bias towards Arminianism; which it should be.
One thing that always sets in the back of my mind when discussing theology is Calvinism. Early in my studies of theology when I first received the grace of salvation (converted in late high school), I intensely studied why certain people believed Calvinism and Arminianism (mainly ministry leaders). Now I will be honest, the idea of a completely sovereign God that wills things into being continuously completed, which has total control over everything that He wills, and the idea the humanity cannot please God; therefore God must reconcile humanity to Himself seems to be perfect in all ways logically.
I soon spoke to my leaders in church and other people which eventually persuaded me into a Arminianistic ideology. Thus leading me to for many years ignore Calvinistic theology (though realizing it was Christian).
Through the years and the broadening of my horizon due to college and growing in maturity has brought me to an odd and interesting view on the concept of being saved. This topic has been widely debated since the Reformation, to be completely honest, there are many verses to support both sides of "once-saved always saved, and being capable of falling away." But with my limited understanding I have come to a conclusion that indeed it is both. Now putting aside all theological implications of believing either or I think logically it works.
Now I will attempt to explain my view with as little scripture as possible for less confusion and chances of "exegetical" responses. Firstly, I have experienced friends and acquaintances come to know Christ at a moment (not a certain point of time but a period of time) of repentance. These people realized the need for something stable and truthful in their life that would help them overcome their current state in life. But, as do many they fall away after returning to the daily routine of the world because it is either to much work or they forget that experience in which the Spirit softened their minds to realize their need for Christ. Their are others (which I am included) that come to a state of repentance and need, fight the good fight (sometimes slipping and walking away), but always returns with a sense of security and acceptance. I have many times forgotten about the ways in which a Christian should conduct themselves and the ways in which to keep God at the top of your mind to avoid straying away. No matter the event or obstacle I always will know that there is a God who has a plan.
Now colliding these views is not that difficult. Firstly, (in my opinion) there are two states of saving knowledge. All Christians will go through the first state, that being the coming to knowledge of the Holy Other. We all experience a sense of comfort, security, and love radiating from the invisible as I say with trembling hands "Concept" (only at first of course) that has brought these emotions into our lives. Now next is what leads us to the next state, The current believer or repentant heart is at this moment saved. They have experienced Christ, repented and realized the need for something bigger than them in their lives that has it all figured out, and most importantly has a plan. Either this person can pursue God after this moment and press more into his presence or they can fall away and return to life and go about their life. If someone were to "supposedly" remain in their current state of knowledge and so called "stay in church" they are not in fact pursuing God and obviously are going for some alternative motive; they have gone astray. Now to the one whom pursues God, Holy Spirit permitting, they will become more knowledgeable about God and come to a true and realistic understanding to the work of Christ and to the extents in which he went to accomplish his promise. Thus, being engraved in their mind have come to an understanding of their fallen state and the need to continue on the straight and narrow path in which only Christ can provide.
With this said and unfortunately not going into great detail, I believe that Someone can repent and believe, but soon as the weeds overcome grass, will fall away. However, I also believe that anyone who comes to a true and realistic understanding as to who God is and what exactly he has done for humanity;knowing their fallen nature as a human cannot fall away from God for they know the good they ought to do. God with his grace has bestowed via the Holy Spirit the knowledge that no matter what God is real and present in your life, whether you like it or not
Thanks for reading, I will at some point edit and revise this time permitting.
Godspeed.
