Mrs. Robinson posted in a FB forum:
[A] common misconception from [everyone in this FB group] is that a Calvinist won’t allow their children to sing “Jesus Loves Me” because, after all – He may not. That a person who holds to the doctrines of grace shares the gospel with their children like this, “Well, you may or may not be elect so, [it may be best to wait and see whether you’re one of God’s chosen unto salvation].” We teach our children the gospel according to Scripture. The gospel is that sinners can be reconciled to God through faith in Jesus Christ. It’s a great relief and comfort that [we Calvinists parents] can’t do anything to mess up [our children’s] salvation. We teach them, pray for them and trust God with their souls. After all, [God] is far more merciful than we could ever be.
I responded: My friend, do you not see the inconsistencies in your statement above how [God] calls all men to repent and yet only those who the Father has given, and the Spirit draws” [will be] saved? This coupled with the logical inferences of compatibilism wherein it’s God who has ensured (through the Calvinistic teaching of divine determinism) that only a very few of his chosen ‘elect’ people respond affirmatively.
I would find it rather refreshing – and certainly more honest for an ardent Calvinist such as yourself to admit:
1) God doesn’t enable all people to recognize their sinful nature and thereby repent – aka Total Depravity.
2) God only wants to save a very few numbers of people (including children) – aka Unconditional Election.
3) We can’t fully understand God and as such we can’t understand why salvation is limited to just a very few people. Concurrently, it seems reasonable to assume that God doesn’t want the salvation of many children either – aka Unconditional Election
4) Acknowledge that you would be terribly upset and even despondent if God didn’t choose to save your children – aka Unconditional Election.
5) Admit that praying for one’s child (on any matter – including salvation) is pointless because everything has already been determined by God – aka Divine Determinism.
You also stated:
It’s a great relief and comfort to [Calvinists] that we can’t do anything as a parent to mess up [our children’s] salvation.
Within the context of Unconditional Election, I think this is a disingenuous statement. Surely you believe that your children’s salvation has already been decided – from the foundation of the world. As such, what good, bad or indifferent things can you do, as a parent, to affect your children’s salvation? I respectfully submit that the same is true for any non-Calvinist or even non-Christian parent. After all, hasn’t everyone’s salvation already been decided before being born? Consequently, for you to say otherwise, I think, undermines your confidence in your Calvinist doctrines.
Having seen many posts and along with the interactions you’ve had with others, I have to believe that you realize your prayers are superfluous and mean nothing because, again, if children are born non-elect according to the Doctrines of Grace, then there is absolutely nothing that can make them elect. So, in essence, Calvinists tell people God loves them when, in reality, God may not actually love them. It pains me to say this, but God, as I understand him to be through the lens of Calvinism, looks to be a rather duplicitous deity to me.
So, as I see it, the fundamental issue here isn’t the lyrics of a children’s song. And I think we both agree on that. Rather, the significant point with respect to the many who replied to you are the implications and inferences of a theological doctrine which, to me anyway, appears antithetical to the teachings of the Bible.
I acknowledge, and even respect, that we have significant differences of opinions as to the Doctrines of Grace. Please feel free to illuminate anything in which you believe that I’m in error. Your comments are always welcome on this blog.
Martin's Mercurial Musings 