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The Plight of Linearity

The meaning of the sovereign redemption of humanity by YHWH through His Son Jesus the Messiah originates from Scripture. Among various Christian doctrinal systems or denominations, we are today more aware of the differences between monergism and synergism which explains how and who God chooses people for honor and some for dishonor. This post concerns the TULIP acronym that briefly explains the scriptural rationale of Calvinists.

T- Total Depravity

(Total Inability)

Total Depravity is probably the most misunderstood tenet of Calvinism. When Calvinists speak of humans as “totally depraved,” they make an extensive, rather than an intensive statement. The effect of the fall upon man is that sin has extended to every part of his personality — his thinking, his emotions, and his will. Not necessarily that he is intensely sinful, but that sin has extended to his entire being.

The unregenerate (unsaved) man is dead in his sins (Romans 5:12). Without the power of the Holy Spirit, the natural man is blind and deaf to the message of the gospel (Mark 4:11f). This is why Total Depravity has also been called “Total Inability.” The man without a knowledge of God will never come to this knowledge without God’s making him alive through Christ (Ephesians 2:1-5).

U- Unconditional Election

Unconditional Election is the doctrine that states that God chose those whom he was pleased to bring to a knowledge of himself, not based upon any merit shown by the object of his grace and not based upon his looking forward to discovering who would “accept” the offer of the gospel. God has elected, based solely upon the counsel of his own will, some for glory and others for damnation (Romans 9:15,21). He has done this act before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:4-8).

This doctrine does not rule out, however, man’s responsibility to believe in the redeeming work of God the Son (John 3:16-18). Scripture presents a tension between God’s sovereignty in salvation, and man’s responsibility to believe which it does not try to resolve. Both are true — to deny man’s responsibility is to affirm an unbiblical hyper-Calvinism; to deny God’s sovereignty is to affirm an unbiblical Arminianism.

The elect is saved unto good works (Ephesians 2:10). Thus, though good works will never bridge the gulf between man and God that was formed in the Fall, good works are a result of God’s saving grace. This is what Peter means when he admonishes the Christian reader to make his “calling” and “election” sure (2 Peter 1:10). Bearing the fruit of good works is an indication that God has sown seeds of grace in fertile soil.

L- Limited Atonement

(Particular Redemption)

Limited Atonement is a doctrine offered in answer to the question, “for whose sins did Christ atone?” The Bible teaches that Christ died for those whom God gave him to save (John 17:9). Christ died, indeed, for many people, but not all (Matthew 26:28). Specifically, Christ died for the invisible Church — the sum total of all those who would ever rightly bear the name “Christian” (Ephesians 5:25).

This doctrine often finds many objections, mostly from those who think that Limited Atonement does damage to evangelism. We have already seen that Christ will not lose any that the Father has given to him (John 6:37). Christ’s death was not a death of potential atonement for all people. Believing that Jesus’ death was a potential, symbolic atonement for anyone who might possibly, in the future, accept him trivializes Christ’s act of atonement. Christ died to atone for specific sins of specific sinners. Christ died to make holy the church. He did not atone for all men, because obviously all men are not saved. Evangelism is actually lifted up in this doctrine, for the evangelist may tell his congregation that Christ died for sinners and that he will not lose any of those for whom he died!

I- Irresistible Grace

The result of God’s Irresistible Grace is the certain response by the elect to the inward call of the Holy Spirit, when the outward call is given by the evangelist or minister of the Word of God. Christ, himself, teaches that all whom God has elected will come to a knowledge of him (John 6:37). Men come to Christ in salvation when the Father calls them (John 6:44), and the very Spirit of God leads God’s beloved to repentance (Romans 8:14). What a comfort it is to know that the gospel of Christ will penetrate our hard, sinful hearts and wondrously save us through the gracious inward call of the Holy Spirit (I Peter 5:10)!

P- Perseverance of the Saints

Perseverance of the Saints is a doctrine that states that the saints (those whom God has saved) will remain in God’s hand until they are glorified and brought to abide with him in heaven. Romans 8:28-39 makes it clear that when a person truly has been regenerated by God, he will remain in God’s stead. The work of sanctification that God has brought about in his elect will continue until it reaches its fulfillment in eternal life (Phil. 1:6). Christ assures the elect that he will not lose them and that they will be glorified at the “last day” (John 6:39). The Calvinist stands upon the Word of God and trusts in Christ’s promise that he will perfectly fulfill the will of the Father in saving all the elect.

Portrait & Perspective

From a limited yet biblical perspective and in about 835 words, here is a portrait of Yeshua of Nazareth. Our Lord and everlasting king. 

He is King of Kings
He is Lord of Lords
He is King of the Jews
He is King of Israel
He is King of Righteousness
He is King of the Ages
He is King of Heaven
He is King of Glory
He is Sovereign King
No Means of Measure Can Define His Limitless Love

He’s Enduringly Strong
He’s Entirely Sincere
He’s Eternally Steadfast
He’s Immortally Graceful
He’s Imperially Powerful
He’s Impartially Merciful
He’s God’s Son
He’s the Sinner’s Saviour
He’s the Centerpiece of Civilization
He’s Unparalleled
He’s Unprecedented
He’s the Loftiest Idea in Literature
He’s the Highest Personality in Philosophy
He’s the Fundamental Doctrine of True Theology
He’s the Only One Qualified to be An All Sufficient Saviour

He Supplies Strength for the Weak
He Shows Available for the Tempted and the Tried
He Sympathizes and He Saves
He Strengthens and Sustains
He Guards and He Guides
He Heals the Sick
He Cleansed the Lepers
He Forgives Sinners
He Discharges Debtors
He Delivers the Captive
He Defends the Feeble
He Blesses the Young
He Serves the Unfortunate
He Regards the Aged
He Rewards the Diligent
He Beautifies the Meek

He’s the Key to Knowledge
He’s the Wellspring of Wisdom
He’s the Doorway of Deliverance
He’s the Pathway of Peace
He’s the Roadway of Righteousness
He’s the Highway of Holiness
He’s the Gateway of Glory

His Life is Matchless
His Goodness is Limitless
His Mercy is Everlasting
His Love Never Changes
His Word is Enough
His Grace is Sufficient
His Reign is Righteous
His Yoke is Easy
His Burden is Light

He’s Indescribable
He’s Incomprehensible
He’s Invincible
He’s Irresistible

In Genesis He is the Seed of the Woman
In Exodus He is the Passover Lamb
In Leviticus He is our High Priest
In Numbers He is the Pillar of Cloud by Day and Pillar of Fire by Night
In Deuteronomy He is the Prophet Like unto Moses
In Joshua He is the Captain of our Salvation
In Judges He is our Judge and Our Law Giver
In Ruth He is our Kinsman Reedemer
In 1st and 2nd Samuel He is our Prophet
In Kings and Chronicles He is our Reigning King
In Ezra He is our Faithful Scribe
In Nehemiah He is our Rebuilder
In Esther He is our Mordecai
In Job He is our Day Spring
In Psalms He is the Lord our Shepherd
In Proverbs and Ecclesiastes He is our Wisdom
In the Song of Solomon He is the Lover and the Bridegroom
In Isaiah He is the Prince of Peace
In Jeremiah He is the Righteous Branch
In Lamentations He is the Weeping Prophet
In Ezekiel He is the Four Faced Man
In Daniel He is the Fourth Man in the Burning Furnace
In Hosea He is the Faithful Husband Forever Married to the Backslider
In Joel He is the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit and Fire
In Amos He is the Burden Bearer
In Obadiah He is the Mighty to Save
In Jonah He is the Great Foreign Missionary
In Micah He is the Messenger of Beautiful Feet
In Nahum He is the Avenger of God’s Elect
In Habakkuk He is God’s Evangelist
In Zephaniah He is the Savior
In Haggai He is the Restorer of God’s Lost Heritage
In Zechariah He is the Fountain for Sin and Uncleanness
In Malachi He is the Son of Righteousness
In Mathew He is the Messiah
In Mark He is the Wonder Worker
In Luke He is the Son of Man
In John He is the Son of God
In Acts He is the Holy Spirit
In Romans He is the Justifier
In Corinthians He is our Sanctifier
In Galatians He is our Redeemer from the Curse of the Law
In Ephesians He is the Christ of Unsearchable Riches
In Philippians He is the God who Supplies All Our Needs
In Colossians He is the Fullness of the Godhead
In Thessalonians He is our Soon Coming King
In Timothy He is our Mediator Between God and Man
In Titus He is our Faithful Shepherd
In Philemon He is our Friend Closer than a Brother
In Hebrews He is the Son of the Everlasting Covenant
In James He is the Great Physician
In Peter He is the Chief Shepherd
In John He is Love
In Jude He is the Lord Coming with His Saints
In Revelation He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords

He is Abel’s Sacrifice
He is Noah’s Rainbow
He is Abraham’s Ram
He is Isaac’s Well
He is Jacob’s Ladder
He is Issachar’s Burden
He is Judah’s Scepter
He is Moses’s Rod
He is Samuel’s Horn
He is David’s Slingshot
He is Peter’s Shadow
He is Paul’s Handkerchief

He is the Bright and Morning Star
He is Lilly of the Valley
He is the Rose of Sharon
He is the Honey in the Rock
He is the Staff of Life
He is the Pearl of Great Price
He is the Rock of Ages
He is the Everlasting Father


They’re Among Us

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, awhich deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
– Rev 12:7-9

Some verses about our spiritual struggle. 

Eph 6:12, 2 Cor 10:3-5, Eph 4:27, 1 Tim 3:7, 2 Tim 2:26, John 10:10, James 4:7-8, 1 Pet 5:8, 1 Tim 6:12. We’re fighting to hold onto our faith in life, to pray on behalf of others, etc. Notes from a presentation that piqued my interest for a while. 

If we’re being attacked, here’s how to detect possible indicators. Not always, but suspicious. 

1.) You just feel like quitting.
2.) You’re exhausted all the time.
3.) You feel like you’re losing your mind. –vain imaginations
4.) If you’re sick in your body.
5.) When you feel like isolating yourself –away from fellowship
6.) People are attacking you to your face or behind your back.
7.) Things are breaking.
8.) Finances are being drained.
9.) Family or relationships turned against you.
10.) Feeling condemned.

While you win the war, here’s why you might be losing a conflict:

1.) You’re not fighting back.
2.) You aren’t using the right weapon.
3.) You aren’t discerning the root of the enemy’s attack. 
4.) Unrepentant sin in your life.
5.) You’re fighting a conflict that you shouldn’t be in.
6.) You’re not following the Holy Spirit’s plan of resolution.

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”
– Rev 12:7-9


Standing Sure

“Know that wisdom is thus for your soul; If you find it, then there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” -Pr 24:14

Over the course of the last week, I have been spending a lot of time in Proverbs. After slowly and prayerfully going through 1st and 2nd Chronicles end-to-end, I sought to do the same in Proverbs. While coming to an end of the book, I have looked back on prior notes of impressions made. To compare what I thought then and what came to mind now. The supreme idea that wisdom gained is a chief interest. What folly looks like in principle and by example among the wicked, faithless, and godless. That without wisdom we have no hope. By knowledge and humility, we have a form of prosperity. As noted, there is no hope for the unwise and that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.


Path of Contemplation

Path of Contemplation

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths. -Pr. 3:5-6

A narrow path to guide me is a comfort and a place to contemplate and pray. To give consideration over distances long or short. Whether alone or with people in conversation or silence.


Heaven Sent

Heaven Sent

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Ps. 51:10-12


The Layers of Being

Sitting at these places at length in silence, I contemplate what they are and what they do. So I am nourished and made well. Because of God’s everlasting kindness and indwelling Spirit within me.

When we are born, there are three components to our being. Our body, our soul, and our spirit. These three are of human nature and the human condition. The body with its senses, appetites, and functions. Our soul is made of its desires, intellect, persona, and emotions. Our spirit as given at birth is entirely disconnected from God. It cannot be accessed or felt in any natural way.

The life-giving part of you is by the spirit. Just as a mirror reflects your body, God’s word is a perfect reflection of who you are in spirit. When you are born from the Most-High, or in Christ, there is a cutting away of the former spirit within you. It passes away; becomes dead and gone (Romans 6:3-4).

The power of God that created the universe is the same power that divides the spirit and soul. And when you become born from “above,” your new spirit becomes created within you. Your body remains the same and your soul remains the same. Neither change at that event, but when Christ is authentically invited inside, instantaneous change takes place with your spirit. It’s accomplished, it is done and it does not change or ever go away. Your Spirit is made perfect, mature and complete. God places within you the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9).

Even when your body and soul rebels, through Christ you’re still a new creature, righteous, holy, and pure. After rebirth, as a matter of process, your body and soul becomes receptive, awakened, aware, and made sensitive to God.

Philemon 1:6 says “That the communication of your faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.” This is the message to believe which begins and continues the process of renewal and transformation of your soul.

This is why I have been drawn to the wilderness. To be in witness of God and His glory through creation. Where my spirit is in fellowship with God. Just as the rocks, rivers, forests, and mountains shout about His presence, beauty, and glory, I give a small voice in confidence to echo the same meaning. Because by this gift of faith, I believe in Him and I am utterly and thoroughly grateful.

Spirit, Soul & Body | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 |


Full Measure

Castle Mittersill in Austria

Many years ago at night, it was out on an open deck at this Castle Mittersill that I asked God in prayer to serve Him. Whatever I was supposed to do to fulfill a purpose He intends and not of my own wishes. Even while I get in the way at times. 

Today, before my work out and cardio, I read through Exodus 28. About how Aaron and his sons were made ready and adorned for the life of service in the holiest of places.

“For Aaron’s sons, you shall make coats and sashes and caps. You shall make them for glory and beauty. And you shall put them on Aaron your brother, and on his sons with him, and shall anoint them and ordain them and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests. You shall make for them linen undergarments to cover their naked flesh. They shall reach from the hips to the thighs; and they shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they go into the tent of meeting or when they come near the altar to minister in the Holy Place, lest they bear guilt and die. This shall be a statute forever for him and for his offspring after him.“


Realm of Distinction

I’ve been spending a lot of time with astronomy and topics surrounding theoretical physics. So I got to thinking. Is it possible that the creation event wasn’t a one-time occurrence? That it continues on as driven within the framework of energy and matter?

In descending order: 
Molecules-> Atoms -> Electrons -> Quarks -> Leptons & Gluons -> “Strings” (super symmetry; 11 dimensional space)  

As open and closed types of string forces move in and out of existence from other dimensions, they’re driven by a type of source that has remained in perpetuity. Meaning, there is a constant or eternal source independent of time in order for matter and energy to remain together or structured as they are.  

Universal objects which took millions of light-years to get to here are a completely different time reference which no longer exist as they were. Atoms with components that orbit a central nucleus are of the same type of model as galaxies and solar systems (i.e. quantum & universal). Relatively speaking, the scale between the two is immense, but with a design that is roughly common.

As the universe continues to expand, it accelerates. However, from a point of reference that originates energy and matter, its position still relatively insignificant as compared to other dimensions that exist also.  

What God put into existence has a natural and ongoing bearing on how we understand reality is formed. I suspect that what’s behind Strings in other dimensions is God’s eternal intent that sets and keeps particles we measure in place regardless of scale. The difference between the physical, the spirit and the soul for example. Speculatively, as all reside as one within a range of moment slices (time), but two are eternal (i.e. independent of time) and not subject to decay or entropy as that which is within space and time.   

When God ‘spoke’ creation into existence (to speak implies a physical effort), it wasn’t a one-time occurrence that lasts. What was spoken is still spoken and continues to propagate as that source of energy or spirit. Not as God spoke (past-tense), but that I AM’s spoken creation is sustained from a ‘place’ of continued tense independent of time.  From our perspective, we are still in ‘day’ 5 of the creation narrative as given in Genesis.

Could it be that where the tripartite spirit, soul, and body exists in a more pertinent reality as compared to our physical being? We live among counter-parts of ourselves which we can’t see. Much like what energy source exists that serves as the structure behind strings that reach into other dimensions.

Hubble Image

The Keeping

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” – Nm 6:24-26



In the Light

“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” – 1 John 1:5-10


Halls of Stone


“You’ve won the mountain, is that not enough?” -Bilbo