Expert: Dr. Ronald E. Shultz - 5/3/2009

Question
Quite simple really. Calvinism, why or why not? And also, why would I feel I can't pray to God? How can I overcome that?

Answer
Oliver, I say no to Calvinism and Arminianism because both Calvin and Arminius both overshot the mark.   They used their culture to define their theology rather than use their theology to define their culture.

The Bible clearly teaches free will and also eternal security/perseverance of the saints.  Thus both are wrong in major premise of their theology.   Yes, people are elect but it is still whosever will because they are elected by the FOREKNOWLEDGE of God.  In a split second, God saw the whole history of man down to those who would believe and be in Christ at the end and said I choose them.  Thus free will and election do not contradict each other but are in a sense complementary of each other.  Call it cause and effect if you like.  Total depravity in that we can do nothing to save ourselves in that all our works are filthy rags and we cannot satisfy God’s demands so He had to satisfy His demands.  All we can do is trust.  You see a sovereign God can devise a means of salvation that is all of Him and yet allow free will.  The TULIPs lads actually deprive Him of sovereignty at the same time they proclaim it.  The other side of the coin forgets that we are filthy and incapable of good works without Him and so make our salvation dependent upon works that could not save in the first place so they cannot maintain salvation especially since it is a gift not a wage.  Death is a wage.  Salvation is a gift and gifts are given by the choice of the giver not the works of the recipient.  Understand why neither are right and that the biblical view has components of both for the theologies are derived from aspects or facets of the truth but not truly representing the whole diamond?  That is why you should study Scripture and not theologies.

Now we get to the more important issue in your question.  Don’t feel, act. We are told to pray without ceasing, so pray.  You may not feel good enough or holy enough but God knows all about you and if you are saved then you have the privilege to pray because you are in the family even when you feel like a stranger or a prodigal.  Confess any sins, pray for wisdom and discernment acknowledging that only He can give it to you and praise Him for all that He is and has done, is doing and will do for you.  Stutter, wax eloquent, be soft, be loud, be calm, be excited but pray.   Maybe you don’t quite know how or what prayer is all about so maybe my series on it may help in that area.  

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Ultimately, you need to meet with your pastor and pray about your prayer life and see if he can help you see what your stumbling block is and help you overcome it.  

May Christ help you find your way as you seek Him through the Word!  Blessings to you!