Topic for Next Corporate Meeting: Predestination vs Free will

Perhaps you heard about the group of theologians who were discussing the doctrines of predestination and free will. When the argument became heated, the dissidents split into two groups. One man, unable to make up his mind which group to join, slipped into the predestination crowd. Challenged as to why he was there, he replied, "I came here of my own free will." 

The group retorted, "Free will! You don't belong here!" So he retreated to the opposing group and when asked why he switched responded, "I was sent here."

"Get out," they stormed. "You can't join us unless you come of your own free will!" The confused man was left out in the cold.

Perhaps you, yourself, have probably participated in a discussion about predestination versus free will and concluded that the matter was either too complex or else irrelevant. Since there are Christians on both sides of the issues, you may be tempted to conclude that the controversy is really not that important.

Well then Mr Martin Luther has a word for you. He said that those people who are not interested in this issue "shall know nothing whatever of Christian matters and shall be far behind all the people of the earth. He that does not feel this, let him confess that he is no Christian." Wow, those aren't just words. Those are strong words.

Or maybe you do know all about predestination and free will. Perhaps you've heard about John Calvin's famous five points of Calvinism, T.U.L.I.P., and that the reason only some of the race of sinful men came to faith must be attributed to the eternal council of God. Or you possibly chanced upon John Wesley's Arminian quote on predestination calling it a doctrine "full of blasphemy", that predestination represents God to be "a hypocrite, a deceiver of the people, a man void of common sincerity". Perhaps you already have taken a side and wonder why on earth would anyone be on the opposite side. 

My point here is this. Even if you know, or don't know, or know nothing about predestination and free will, I urge you to join us, SIM-Students' Christian Fellowship, on the 2nd of November, as we listen to our guest speaker Mr Winston Tay from Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church regarding this controversial topic. 

Don't be left in the cold.