If God Has Decreed the Next President, Why Should Christians Vote?

[@Chuck883]

Us folk up north are praying for you guys.

[@cindymonk6994]

Praying in New Mexico

[@luckypurl]

Why should you brush your teeth? Gods already decreed from eternity past whether or not you’ll get a cavity. Same thing. We reformers get so hung up on the fact that God has in fact ordained everything in the universe that we often forget that he’s also created us as actors who are held responsible for our commissions and omissions in this world

[@cindymonk6994]

Well said.

[@LilacDaisy2]

Thank you. I'm starting to question Calvinism, and this comment about teeth is something to hold onto.

[@cassidyanderson3722]

In your example, is brushing your teeth efficacious in the prevention of cavities if God has ordained that you have cavities?

[@4godisholy]

@luckypurl Could you have done otherwise? God created us to be actors who can only take the actions that He decreed for us to take. Then the best part, He holds us responsible for the things that He decreed for us to do… love my calvinist brothers but these doctrines seem really illogical.

[@LilacDaisy2]

@@cassidyanderson3722 Indeed no. Good point. We have free will, but God directs our steps.

[@wataboutya9310]

Your words have made me understand everything much clearer. Thank you.

[@ginib6350]

In the name of Jesus we pray for mercy and guidance. May strength , health, peace, and courage be with y'all with the storm and afterwards.

[@Savedbygrace22]

That 80’s intro makes me want to say those were the days😁

[@j316min]

This is a really good word, Keith. It actually sounds like "compatibilism" . Great quote from Calvin regarding wicked leaders.

[@cashmoney1290]

Never get rid of your intro song

[@Americanchurches]

Keep up the great work Keith

[@toolegittoquit_001]

We are the means

[@chrisjohnson9542]

I read this in James White's voice.

[@RomanZeNine]

@@chrisjohnson9542 ditto

[@Rumstein357]

Great message thanks! Stay safe.

[@chrisjohnson9542]

1689 BAPTIST CONFESSION OF FAITH Chapter 3 - God’s Decree 1. From all eternity God decreed everything that occurs, without reference to anything outside himself. He did this by the perfectly wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably. Yet God did this in such a way that he is neither the author of sin nor has fellowship with any in their sin. This decree does not violate the will of the creature or take away the free working or contingency of second causes. On the contrary, these are established by God’s decree. In this decree God’s wisdom is displayed in directing all things, and his power and faithfulness are demonstrated in accomplishing his decree.

[@toddstevens9667]

Gosh … it sure would be nifty if this quote was actually from the Bible, instead of just a bunch of guy’s opinions.

[@alexdunholse6529]

It's the same as asking: Why pray? If reality is determined, why do anything? Because you don't know and God knows what you'll do. I'm out deer hunting in Missouri. Pastor Foskey say a prayer for me.

[@ConversationswithaCalvinist]

I’ll pray for you. One day, you should take me with you :-)

[@nonconformist9991]

This should be another example of the shallow pretentiousness humanity has perfected since we fell for the lie that we can be like God knowing what to do with the knowledge of good and evil. However maybe if you vote hard enough Jesus will come back but I doubt it.

[@LilacDaisy2]

Thank you. I'm starting to question Calvinism, so I'm looking forward to this! :-)

[@ConversationswithaCalvinist]

I hope you find it helpful. Feel free to email questions to keithfoskey.com

[@LilacDaisy2]

@@ConversationswithaCalvinist I'm re-listening right now. Thank you so much for that gracious offer.

[@toddstevens9667]

I have a different question: as a Christian, am I going to be held responsible for how (or if) I vote? My conundrum is this: 1) If I vote for the candidate that is anti-family and anti-God, will I be held accountable by God for that vote? 2) If I vote for the candidate that is a self-absorbed, arrogant, boastful, liar, will I be held accountable by God for supporting that candidate? 3) My last question, if I am going to be held accountable for the terrible person I vote for, would it be better to not vote at all? Both candidates are terrible from God’s perspective. Should we just vote for the least terrible option?

[@ConversationswithaCalvinist]

I talked about this a little on last week’s Friday Night Live. I have reasons why I still believe I can vote in good conscience, but I understand those who don’t. And if you can’t, I wouldn’t vote.

[@toddstevens9667]

I absolutely plan on voting. But I still wonder whether voting for a candidate in our system is seen by God as my “stamp of approval” on that candidate. Am I validating their policy positions? Am I approving of their lifestyle and character? Those are honest questions that I’m not sure the Bible answers, given the fact that democracy wasn’t in the worldview of the people the Bible was written to. Anyway, thanks for the channel and I’ll keep praying for you. Milton is about15 hours away from the Florida coast as I write this.

[@cassidyanderson3722]

You and I think a lot. I was raised in an old political family, have a degree in political science and a JD. I chose not to vote in almost every election, federal, state, and local because I believe I responsible for my actions.

[@doug6259]

You can vote for a third party candidate.

[@mkshffr4936]

I don't demand perfection but things have gotten so bad playing the good cop bad cop game that none of the candidates is remotely acceptable. Therefore for the first time since 1980 I will not be voting.

[@mkshffr4936]

You can not vote your way out from under the hand of God's judgement. There is a real danger of falling into idolatry in our desperation to do so.

[@RomanZeNine]

I had an idea for "if churches were". How about professional wrestler promos? 🤣

[@ConversationswithaCalvinist]

Haha I did that once and WWE hit me with a copyright claim :)

[@RomanZeNine]

@@ConversationswithaCalvinist oh no! i had no idea 🤦‍♂

[@JasperOferral79]

I think questions like the title of this video do a good job summarizing the problems with dogmatic theology. Predestination is all fine and good until somebody loses an election.

[@toddstevens9667]

Lol

[@toddstevens9667]

Doesn’t your recollection of your conversation with the hyper-Calvinist seem similar to William Carey’s famous conversation with the hyper-Calvinist who objected to him going to India?

[@ConversationswithaCalvinist]

Yes. And I have wondered if that phrasing is something which the hyper Calvinists actually consider compelling. He was very confident when he said it to me.

[@toddstevens9667]

@@ConversationswithaCalvinist I don’t know about where you live, but down here in South Texas, Hard Shell Baptists and other hyper Calvinist off-shoots have pretty much died out. They are so anti-evangelistic that they can’t replenish their churches with new members and they literally die out. I’ve always sort of considered them a cult. They have a sort of biblical reasoning, but replace specific verses with their logic. But over the decades I’ve dealt with quite a few of them. It’s not a lot different than dealing with JW’s, Seventh Day Adventists, or other cults.

[@carterthiessen2664]

Canadian here, will be in the US during election. Fiancée and I (will be wife when we go) are taking a road trip for our honeymoon to the creation museum and the Ark exhibit. I wonder if we claim to be refugees from canada, will they hand us ballots? Ive heard they let just about anyone vote these days. Although they might not lime who we'd vote for! All joking aside, praying for change in your great country, but ultimately that the kindgdom of God would increase no matter who is in office

[@carolcloukeymather4844]

All have sinned. You will never vote if you wait for the perfect candidate. Jimmy Carter was allegedly a Christian and has done some wonderful things outside of being president. But I don't know of anyone would claim that he was the best president ever. I would ask you to please pray and expose yourself to independent journalism. Thousands of Americans have died so you can vote. Please vote.

[@KatieGarcia101]

KSV🤣

[@mkshffr4936]

But brother Keith you are conflating being born again with being a part of the covenant community. Your passage doesn't disprove covenant baptism unless one starts with that assumption. That is the heart of the disagreement. We can be brothers in fellowship even in disagreement but it is a worthwhile exercise to be clear where our disagreement lies.

[@4godisholy]

“If” God decreed who will win, then there is absolutely no point in voting. You are NOT going to change the outcome. Love you Keith but decretalism/determinism is just false.

[@docbrown7513]

Ya. I don't want to vote for Trump because I don't like him (his supporter more accurately) and I came up with the excuse that Harris is going to win so I don't want to vote against divine providence (and it wont matter where I am anyway). Harris is a Baptist too... so I am sure that by the grace of God He can move her heart.

[@toolegittoquit_001]

Harris is no Baptist She has demonstrated zero fruits of her salvation and, on the contrary, rewards evils and abhors good

[@toolegittoquit_001]

Harris is no Baptist. And she has no fruit of her salvation. Instead, she rewards evil (abortion, as just a single example) and abhors good. No Believer can cast their ballot for her in good conscience.

[@kevinguidry4783]

Yeah well you are a heretic

[@Savedbygrace22]

?? Are you saying you KNOW Harris is going to win and you know that is God’s providence? How do you know before it happens? How do you square that with scripture that God uses humans as his means of accomplishing his will? I’m not a T fan but he is a clear choice for the restoration of our freedoms and a plan for self reliance instead of depending on outside nations and billionaire elitists who are anxious to take away our sovereignty. I pray for godly wisdom in voting and then leave the results to God. Sitting on my hands sounds a lot like the servant that did nothing with the talent his master gave him and was cast into outer darkness. We can vote, use it or lose it. 🤷‍♀️🙏

[@toddstevens9667]

🧐🤔 Not sure that’s exactly how that works