Is Determinism Biblical?

[@markrogers7546]

I like this brother. GOD IS GOD!! He is Sovereign, and almighty.

[@CmRoddy]

I personally don’t use the term “determinism” just for the simple fact that people often think “fatalism” or “theistic fatalism” as you mentioned in the video. I utilize “Eternal Decree” (1689 LBCF Ch. 3) and “Divine Providence” (1689 LBCF Ch. 5). But that being said, I am in full agreement with you here, sir. Great video!

[@pastorburris]

I totally agree. I only used Determinism for this video because I was asked to respond directly to the term.

[@TheEngineer19]

decree.. Meaning command, or an order, so this calvinist god "command" people to sin and blame them for being obedient?... Man i have high moral intellect than the god of calvinism..

[@elmerfudd2402]

AMEN AND AMEN!! Soli Deo gloria!

[@toddstevens9667]

Great video … as always. You have quickly become one of my favorite channels to watch on KZbin. Thanks for your thoughts and your work for the Lord.

[@rodneyjackson6181]

Great video. I don't consider myself Calvinist nor Arminian. I simply believe in a Biblical balance between the Sovereignty of God and the free will of humanity. We all have free will and make choices but it will never thwart the plan of God. Blessings!

[@Pablo-p7y]

In relation to the lost - if Jesus didn't say they have free will, the 12 didn't say it, Paul didn't say it, and the Holy Spirit never inspired it - why you say it ? The Apostle Paul never taught that the lost have "free will". He did teach about "God's elect" "election", "predestinated", "election of grace", "whom he called", But unto them which are called", "God hath chosen", etc The 'free will' belief is a contradiction to what Christ through Paul said in (Rom 3:11 kjv). "There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God." The 'free will' belief is a contradiction to what Christ through Paul said in (1 Cor 2:14 kjv). "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." The 'free will' belief is a contradiction to what Christ taught about those without the Spirit (Rom 8:7 kjv). "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. The 'free will' belief is a contradiction to what Christ through Paul said in (1 Cor 3:5-7 kjv) that God giveth the increase. “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me." --> "the election of grace" "vessels of mercy" - Rom 9:21-24 kjv

[@biblebaptistchurch6286]

Bro, I'm going to disagree with this one, but I respect you and enjoy much of your content on here. As a former Calvinist, there were a few foundational things that I could not reconcile, so the system fell apart in my mind. These are a couple of places it broke down in no particular order. #1) Verses about God repenting, God changing his mind, God getting angry, the Holy Spirit being grieved or outright blasphemed, theses verses made little sense with a God giving commandments contrary to these things He was controlling. #2) The commandments themselves didn't make sense and then the judgments on people carrying out His will are unnecessarily evil. #3) Ironically, I started seeing every verse in the Bible as a statement of God making something happen. Consequently that meant everything I did personally was God's will. I knew better than that. #4) The statement about God's control was overstated. For instance God appointing days was a statement that man would generally live 70 years, maybe 80, unless he's got good genes and stays healthy maybe a little longer. It wasn't saying the day of MY birth was determined and the day of MY death was determined. Like Solomon said, Some people die before their time; babies and children as an example. There's several other things where I felt like the fatalists were just using the scriptures to explain away things they weren't clear about or didn't want responsibility for. I say these things in the spirit of brotherly love. No mean spirit here. I appreciate the conversation.

[@pastorburris]

Thank you for your comment, and thanks for being civil in disagreement. I would love to discuss your objections if you wish. Let’s start with your first stated concern. Have you seen this video where I deal with God’s immutability which addresses his “repenting” and changing his mind, etc.? Did God Change His Mind in Exodus 32? Apologetics: Asked and Answered kzbin.info/www/bejne/oH6ZfGdpoLurodk

[@biblebaptistchurch6286]

@@pastorburris hey Jonathan, thank you for the reply and I watched the video. Given that there are multiple times where the Lord repents and most of those come with warnings to people. I would take the counter approach that God changing His mind in response to people is better than God issuing empty threats. Like Nineveh, 40 days and Nineveh will be destroyed. This is just one example. I'd say Jonah went through quite a bit to carry out an empty threat. Jesus reiterated the Ninevites salvation in the NT. On top of that, a God who lies about what He's going to do is so much worse than a God who responds to people. Since the video you sent me concludes with, How can we trust a God who changes His mind? I'd say first off, it's not like He's arbitraility changing His mind. There are reasons. But worse, how can you trust a God who lies about what He's going to do? That seems to be a bigger problem. And bro, please don't get the wrong idea. This is all in good faith. I'm not angry, nor do I have any desire to question your sincerity or character if we come to different conclusions. 😀

[@dimmandimberg680]

We have free will…and consequences of our choices. Be blessed 🙏🏻

[@Pablo-p7y]

All men reap what they sow (Gal 6:7). However, the "natural man" receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them. That is why he doesn't understand or seek after God (Rom 3:11). It's only thru "the election of grace" that any are saved. These are deemed "vessels of mercy" (Rom 9:21-24 kjv). Those "born of the flesh" do not have 'free Spiritual will' (for they do not have the Spirit Rom 8:9 kjv). "Regeneration" is an act of God's mercy - and that is how men are saved (Titus 3:5 kjv). To be regenerated is to be "born of the Spirit". Before God has mercy - man's condition is as described in (Titus 3:3 njkv). "that no man should boast before God. 30But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus"

[@4jgarner]

Another Jonathan Burris W! Thank you and God bless you pastor. 🙏

[@Beefcake1982]

Amen brother!

[@Sgomes-is4or]

Wrestled with this for a long time. I lean more towards calvinism than say an open theism view which is really out there. I will say 4 points of Calvinism make sense to where i dont see limited atonement at all. Your videos are always helpful!

[@VinceOlson96]

While this is something I'm positive I'm going to disagree with you on, I'm still going to give it a watch as your other videos regarding translation, fundamentalism, and recently hermeneutics have been very interesting to me and I'm curious to see what you have to say regarding this topic. I will also throw this out there, I am a provisionist. (Hopefully I don't get beat up in this comments section for admitting that 😅)

[@pastorburris]

You have nothing to fear in the comments here. You won’t be the one roasted for your position. I will. Differing opinions are always welcome. Thanks for being civil.

[@4jgarner]

I would also hate to see brothers getting upset with you in the comments, me being reformed myself. That would be unchristlike. With provisionism, as long as you can still recognize me as a brother in Christ, I have no problem with you. Just loving brotherly disagreement.

[@VinceOlson96]

@@4jgarner Amen brother. 100% agree

[@Pablo-p7y]

@@VinceOlson96 the problem is - Provisionism and Calvinism are both isms - the teachings of men. Men came up with those labels and doctrines. The unregenerate do not have free will - they are held captive by the devil to do his will - as God's Word says - they have been "blinded". Calvinism is also false - Christ died for all men (1 Tim 2:6) not just some.

[@brothermike434]

It was determined that I was to enjoy this video. Thanks Doc!

[@r.m.solympic1771]

Amen and amen! Well said. Thank you for your faithful preaching. God bless you!

[@bobs3729]

Acts 2:46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (AV) John 10:25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. 26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and my Father are one. (AV) John 1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (AV) Rom 9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 ¶ Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?👇 22 ¶ What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory, (AV) Be careful before accusing God of “not being fair”. Do you really want God to give you what you deserve? Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.(AV)

[@pastorburris]

Did you watch the video? You realize I agree with everything in your comment, right?

[@bobs3729]

Oops I posed in the wrong text field. My comments was to reply to another post with common accusations. I appreciate your lessons of the topics and honest examination of some traditions that have become a type of dogmas on parts of the Christian community. I’ve lost fellowship with some of my brothers in Christ because of the KJVO position where Matt 18 and Gal 6 have not been exercised. The truth is still the truth, even if a majority or personal opinion says it’s not true. Keep up the good work.

[@Stinky97000]

If Christianity is true, there is no freewill

[@jimmason5738]

God's ways and thoughts are far above and beyond mine. His ways are past finding out. I reckon we will all figure it out at the judgement.

[@dougrichardson5275]

Excellent, just excellent. I could quibble and say that im not a fan of the word determinism because it can too easily conjure up ideas of secular fatalism, but you did a nice job of making a distinction. Love the CS Lewis quote. Dont know that Calvin or Augustine could have said any better. So even though i would prefer the term divine sovreignty or divine providence, my hat is off to you. Excellent job.

[@333Paradigm333]

First off I want to say, I love you brother, but I have somewhat to say to thee, but what I have to say, I do in love. I find it ironic that you escaped the Kool-aid drinking of KJV only-ism only to be stuck in the Kool-aid drinking of Calvinism. You did a very typical selecting of the Calvinistic proof texts, and came to an erroneous conclusion. Jerimiah 19:5 "They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not nor spoke it, neither came it into My mind." Clearly God had nothing to do with this situation, and is appalled by the free will actions of the Israelites. Another logical fallacy (conflation) is that just because God determines some things doesnt mean he determines all things. Calvinism, when examined closely, is full of logical fallacies, and scriptural contradictions. I would challenge you, brother to take off the Calvinistic lenses and be as objective as you are with the Bible version issue (which I very much appreciate). God bless

[@pastorburris]

I’ve been Calvinistic since 1998 or 1999. I am thankful to be “stuck” in the sovereignty of God.

[@333Paradigm333]

@@pastorburris well that's an underwhelming response, brother. It is a common and disappointing tactic, that when Calvinists are confronted with information which discounts their "doctrines of grace", they either hand-wave, obfuscate, or outright ignore the point of contention. FYI, I believe in the sovereignty of God, but I trust God's word, that in His sovereignty He sovereigly decided to give man a free will, and just like in the garden, we still have a free will choice to make, either choose God's provision of grace, or reject it freely. God bless 2 Timothy 2:15

[@jazzmankey]

Thank you pastor for dealing with the topic, My issue with compatiblism is that it assumes some type of human freedom. I would like to see the biblical defense for human freedom, as was given for God‘s sovereignty. Man does indeed make choices, but those choices have been decreed by God before anyone was born. This leaves little room for human freedom. [Act 4:28 KJV] 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. [Pro 20:24 KJV] 24 Man's goings [are] of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? [Jer 10:23 KJV] 23 O LORD, I know that the way of man [is] not in himself: [it is] not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

[@annakimborahpa]

Augustine of Hippo (354 - 430 AD), from Sermon 169: "But God made you without you. You didn't, after all, give any consent to God making you. How were you to consent, if you didn't yet exist? SO WHILE HE MADE YOU WITHOUT YOU, HE DOESN'T JUSTIFY YOU WITHOUT YOU. SO HE MADE YOU WITHOUT YOUR KNOWING IT, HE JUSTIFIES YOU WITH YOUR WILLING CONSENT TO IT. YET IT'S HE THAT DOES THE JUSTIFYING (in case you should think it's your justice, and go back to the dead losses, the wastage and the muck), for you to be found in Him not having your own justice, which is from the law, but THE JUSTICE THROUGH THE FAITH OF CHRIST, WHICH IS FROM GOD; JUSTICE FROM FAITH, TO KNOW HIM AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, AND A SHARE IN HIS SUFFERINGS (Phil 3:9-10). And that will be your power, your strength; a share in Christ's sufferings will be your strength." [The Works of St. Augustine, Sermon 169, P. 231; Wesley Scholar Com webpage /wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Augustine-Sermons-148-183. pdf 239 of 388]

[@pastorburris]

That is entirely consistent with the position I presented in this video.

[@annakimborahpa]

And this? John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion Book III, Chapter 21, No. 5: "By predestination we mean the eternal decree of God, by which he determined with himself whatever he wished to happen with regard to every man. ALL ARE NOT CREATED ON EQUAL TERMS, but some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation; and, accordingly, as each has been created for one or other of these ends, we say that he has been predestinated to life or to death." [Beveridge translation, P. 568, ntslibrary website, Institutes of the Christian Religion, pdf 576 of 944] Book III, Chapter 21, No. 7: "We say, then, that Scripture clearly proves this much, that God by his eternal and immutable counsel determined once for all those whom it was his PLEASURE one day to admit to salvation, and those whom, on the other hand, it was his PLEASURE to doom to destruction." [Beveridge translation, P. 571, ntslibrary website, Institutes of the Christian Religion, pdf 579 of 944]

[@seansimpson1133]

Expect a 3 hour response from leighton flowers.

[@carolbarlow8896]

Thanks for giving me a giggle. Flowers does seem to be a bit of a one trick pony doesn’t he?

[@zach.shepard]

Haha, yes!

[@johndisalvo6283]

@@carolbarlow8896 He pushes back on damnable heresy you mean. Like we are CALLED TO DO.

[@pastorburris]

Damnable heresy? Seriously? Stephanus and Beza who gave us the TR were damnable heretics? Many of the KJV translators were damnable heretics? The first Baptists in America were damnable heretics? Interesting.

[@johndisalvo6283]

@@pastorburris. Last I knew, these you mention were JUST FALLIBLE MEN. You elevate them to Apostle status? Calvinism is ANOTHER GOSPEL! You believe Galatians 1:8 or your “heroes “???? Interesting !

[@joelooney7201]

Excellent!

[@passajimmy]

If God determines my choices, how am I responsible for my sin?

[@r.m.solympic1771]

Because we freely choose to sin. God doesn't force us to choose sin. It would be like offering a child a bowl of broccoli or a doughnut. I know before hand what choice that child will make. God knows the choice we will make according to our fallen natures, and knows beforehand the sin we will freely choose. Just because our minds can't fully understand this concept, does not negate the truth of determinism. I read it in my Bible. I can even give you an example of God interfering in the choices of men, to prevent sin. Perhaps God prevents us from sin more than we know, and those who wallow in sin are given more free reign, without His intervention. Genesis 20:6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that in the integrity of your heart you have done this, and I also kept you from sinning against Me; therefore I did not let you touch her.

[@deviouskris3012]

@@r.m.solympic1771if god determines before you are born, if you will be granted grace or not. Then god presets your path. How can someone who doesn’t have grace and isn’t given the capacity to find god, and a reason to reject sin?

[@r.m.solympic1771]

@@deviouskris3012 I understand your grappling of this subject. What I know is God is good, merciful, just. The conclusion I have come to is that humans chose sin, while they were yet perfect and sinless. It is a choice every human would have made, therefore we are all born with sin nature. We are all deserving of condemnation. God in His mercy saves some, while leaving others in their chosen path to reject Him. God reveals Himself to all humans, and if any human would merely cry out to Him, He would save them, but the Bible says not a single human does good or seeks Him. At one point God even says in His written word, "if you seek me I will let you find me." No human seeks Him. I believe God chooses to save some to show that without His intercession, not a single one of us would ever choose God on our own. This goes back to the revelation in Genesis that humans believe and desire that we can be like God. Humans want to believe we can save ourselves, hence all the false works righteous religions that have dominated the history of mankind. God does not leave humans in darkness, and has fully revealed Himself to all humans through His creation and through our consciences, so every human is responsible. He goes a step further by reaching down and performing heart surgery on some to fix our diseased hearts of stone, so that we will respond to His call and Gospel. He is not required to do this, since He has plainly revealed Himself to all humankind so all are without excuse. Romans 1 says humans suppress the truth in unrighteousness. .......................................................... Romans 1 : 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth [m]in unrighteousness, 19 because that which is known about God is evident [n]within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse. 21 For even though they knew God, they did not [o]honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible mankind, of birds, four-footed animals, and [p]crawling creatures.

[@roberttrevino62800]

If you feared man, you wouldn’t have put out this video. Good stuff

[@pastorburris]

Brother, I am long past considering the costs. I love my Master and his word. I get accused of making videos to be famous. These kinds of videos make one infamous to men, not famous.

[@Fireking285]

So you start out by showing different forms of determinism, only to then "use scripture" with no explanation of the verses or their context, and then conflat every form of Determinism back into only one kind, "Theistic Determinism".

[@pastorburris]

No Sir. There was no eisegesis in this video. There was nothing lifted out of its context or read into the text. All of these verses have their literal meanings within the context of each passage. If I were to exegete each verse, the video would have been hours long. Of course I brought all of the scripture references back to one kind of Determinism - Theistic Determinism. The scripture is God’s word. Of course it’s going to point back to theism. If you believe that I lifted a verse out of its context and improperly applied it, then present a refutation and I will be happy to respond.

[@penprop01]

Lv quiz questions ……..before St. Augustine of Hippo. No. After Yes🤞🏽Let’s Go!

[@pastorburris]

Uh oh! Sounds like someone will definitely learn something if you watch the video this afternoon. 😉

[@penprop01]

Thank you

[@KevinHale-vq2xr]

Calvinism is theistic determinism. God does create or predetermine every event or action. He can accomplish Gods plans regardless of man’s decisions He rules has he pleases true. You do good work but have swung to far from where you began.

[@pastorburris]

I’m not sure what you are saying. Can you clarify? Yes, Calvinism is Theistic Determinism. Do you disagree with my position? You seem to be contrary to my position and yet you affirm that God does as he pleases and predetermines every event.

[@timothyhaugan2903]

If God determines who will be saved, He also determines who will NOT be saved, BEFORE the creation of the world according to this false theology. God wants all to be saved. John 3:16

[@pastorburris]

Equal ultimacy is not biblical. God’s work in saving his Elect is a positive action. He must do nothing for people to die in their sins. They are condemned already.

[@timothyhaugan2903]

@@pastorburris False. They are condemned because God didn’t chose them before the beginning g if the world. What a ridiculous theology

[@pastorburris]

Nope. He that believes not is condemned already. Scripture trumps your twisting of it.

[@timothyhaugan2903]

@@pastorburris False. God wants all to be saved

[@pastorburris]

This is not a biblical statement. If only one person in all of human history never heard the gospel, then your statement is also logically false.

[@Doyathinkurfunny]

All is of God- 2 Corinthians 5:18 God gives to all, life, breath, and all - acts 17:25 Designated beforehand- Ephesians 1:11 lol bro this is basic scripture . No duh all is God and determined beforehand. U think got is dum???? 😂

[@pastorburris]

Did you watch this video and see my position before you commented?