Old Testament reading: Deuteronomy 29-30
“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live” (Deut 30:19). This passage leaves me scratching my head. If, as Calvinists and others so adamantly affirm, man lost the capacity to exercise his free will following the fall in the garden of Eden, why does Moses make the following statements to Israel as they prepare to enter Canaan? Yes, I realize that every single command prior to this text also necessarily implies the ability to choose obedience or disobedience, but this passage was so abundantly contrary to Calvinism that I wanted to draw attention to it. Most “defenses” of Calvinism are made from the New Testament, and Romans in particular. But should we not find overwhelming Old Testament support for Calvin’s tenets if they were true? If grace and law are mutually exclusive (per Calvinism’s claim), then why did God give Israel a law they were required to obey in order to be saved? It’s always easier to believe and defend truth than to twist the Scriptures in support of error.
New Testament reading: Colossians
Colossians is a companion book to Ephesians. Perhaps you noticed several familiar themes from your recent reading of the Ephesian epistle. Among them are: 1) Christ alone is the head of the church (Col 1:18, Eph 1:22); 2) The church is the body of Christ ( Col 1:18, Eph 1:23); 3) Peace and reconciliation through the blood of the cross (1:19-20, Eph 2:11-16); 4) The mystery of the gospel now revealed (1:25-27, Eph 3:4-7); 5) The death of the Mosaic Law (2:14, Eph 2:15); 6) The old man vs the new (3:1-17; Eph 4:17-32); and 7) Honoring God in our earthly relationships (3:18-4:1; Eph 6:1-9). Despite these repeated themes, there is a distinction in the primary emphasis of each epistle. While Ephesians holds up the church of Christ, Colossians exalts the Christ of the church. This emphasis is seen in Colossians 1:15-18, which culminates in the following statement, “that in all things He may have the preeminence.” If Christ is Lord and King, (and He is), then as members of His kingdom (1:13) and body (1:18) there is no area of my life wherein He should not reign. As the old saying goes, “Jesus is either Lord of all, or He isn’t Lord at all.”
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