“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

I think there is a fine line between knowing the desperate condition of this world and being depressed. Truly, I have become more aware of our situation, the depth of our sin and the need for Jesus’ grace and mercy and as I have done so I want His ultimate redemption even more.

Your point about the danger of ‘fatalistic’ Calvinism is well taken. The evangelistic impulse and call is central to the Christian life, anyone who subjugates it to any systematic theology must ignore the Great Commission to do so. I constantly pray that I never fall into that group.

I think you asked the right question for good discussion: “Did he only call and command them to believe? What if Jesus commanded everybody to believe – as he did when he said that there is no other way to the father then through him? The way he treated the disciples only shows that it is the Spirit that opens up our hearts for him. It does not say that there is nobody that got called and responded negatively.”
I think the right way to respond is to look at Paul’s discussion of calling in Romans 8:
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

To me, the plain reading of this text implies a clear linear progression from predestination (and properly translated, that is exactly the right word) through to glorification. Predestined -> Called -> Justified -> Glorified. In this phrasing of progression – the repeated use of “those whom… he also” – I think it is clear that he only calls those whom he will justify and glorify.

Thanks for the continued discussion!

With this in mind, I agree with Mr. Osteen, that a pastor’s calling and gift is different from Billy Graham’s,an evangelist of evangelists.

And of course that is not at all against the great commission. John writes of three stages in a Christian life: children, youngsters, and fathers (1Jo 2:12-14) . There is a growth after becoming a believer, a child of God. And Rom 8:19 says that the world eagerly awaits the appearance of the fully matured sons of God. This growth is – according to the bible – only possible with the 5fold ministry.

Therefore I strongly second the writers view that a pastor must be a strong bible teacher and lead us in the ways of God. These are expressed in His Word.

Some of which are wealth oriented and tell us that he will give us a overflowing measure, that the windows of heaven will open over those that tithe, that He will bless those who love Him, and so on. Prosperity to bless others is scriptural, but not the raison d’être for a Christian.

It really is “all about Jesus”.

There is no definite answer on predestination vs. prevision in the Bible, but then your salvation does not depend on it. As long as you do not get a fatalistic view on evangelizing the world, as most Calvinists have. There argument is the same as the Moslems have: it is written in the book of fate. Calvinist version: I cannot change anything, as God predestined me/them.

I come from the country Calvinism was birthed in, and I have seen the impact it had. Great wealth, as faith is a private matter you are not allowed to talk about with your next. It only shows in blessings here on earth already. So whoever is struck by something bad just did not believe right/enough.

I much more am willing to believe in prevision: God, outside of time, looks at time as we do at length or width: he knows the end from the beginning, because he can already see it. Therefore he knew our decisions even before the foundation of the earth, even though they were free willed at the time we took them.

Many are called, but few are chosen. The ones that accepted the call.

Blessings
Ralph