Calvin's Conundrum

Me: Imagine, if you will, a man who has lived his life in America, or any western, pseudo-Christian nation, and, after sixty-plus years, he passes from this life, opening his eyes in the next. The first thing he sees, sitting before him on His throne, is the God of the universe. Might the conversation go a little something like this?

Sinner: Where am I?

God: Where do you think?

Sinner: (Startled) Oh! Yeah. I've heard about this place. Heaven, right?

God: Well, not exactly. At least not for you. You are only here long enough for you to find out where you are really going.

Sinner: You mean...the other place? Hell?

God: Yes.

Sinner: No way! Why am I going there? I've been a good person. I'm not a thief or murderer and I even try not to lie. How much bad could I have done?

God. The number of your sins is neither here nor there. The only thing that matters is, did you give your life to Christ?

Sinner: You mean that was all I had to do?

God: Yes.

Sinner: Why would I not do that? I mean, did anyone tell me that?

God: Yes, you were exposed to the Gospel story many times. In everything from billboards to Christmas plays. Friends and co-workers related it to you. You even attended church services several times where the Gospel was preached.

Sinner: (aghast) What was wrong with me? Why didn't I just accept the truth of the Gospel? Why didn't I do it when I had the opportunity?

God: Well...

Sinner: "Well"? "Well" what?

God: Well, you never really had the opportunity. Yes, you heard the Gospel in many different ways at many different times, but you still had no opportunity to accept it.

Sinner: What? Why not? I'm confused!

God: You have to understand something: I am God. I am sovereign and I reign over all that was, is or ever shall be. My word is law. My plan is absolute and immutable. I know all and determine and control all. Nothing happens in the heavens or earth outside of my absolute will. I am the judge and...

Sinner: Sorry to interrupt, but I really don't understand what it is you're trying to tell me. Can you dumb it down for me, please.

God: I chose all who will enter my Heaven. 

Sinner: Okay, I think I follow, but what does that have to do with whether or not I had "opportunity"?

God: I never chose you.

Sinner: What?

God: Well, you wanted me to "dumb it down" for you.

Sinner: Yeah, yeah. So, are you telling me that, no matter how much Gospel I heard, it didn't make a difference? I couldn't have accepted it?

God: I think you are getting it now.

Sinner: Now, hold on just minute! You're telling me that I can't get to Heaven because you didn't choose me? That nothing mattered? That I didn't have a choice? Are you saying that the Gospel was wasted on me? 

God: Well...

Sinner: Are you saying that, even if I was presented with a choice, I couldn't choose Heaven? What? Are you saying I chose Hell?

God: No, I'm saying the choice was not yours to make.

Sinner: Oh, now, that's a big help!

God: As I told you, I am Sovereign. I am Supreme. It is my universe and I will do with it and its inhabitants as I please!

Sinner: So you're saying, I never stood a chance?

God: Refer to my last statement?

Sinner: Why was I even born, then? Was I born to spend an eternity in Hell? In torture? Separated from You?

God: Refer to my previous statement concerning my sovereignty.

Sinner: I don't get it. I don't understand. You made everything. That means you made me, right?

God: Yes.

Sinner: You made me, but you didn't want me? You wanted the others, but not me? Why didn't you want me? If you could've chosen anyone, why not me? You're saying, you get to choose, but I don't?

God: Well, I am God.

Sinner: Yeah, sure, but is that fair? Is that right? Is that justice?

Me: Is it?

An Unmuzzled Ox

I used to be a big fan of "Bishop" T.D. Jakes. At one point, I had read more of his books than any other preacher outside of the Bible.

I loved his sermons. I had practically memorized a couple of them from listening over and over. I watched him on television. Listened on the radio. Tapes. Videos. I had every intention of attending a "Man Power" conference.

I felt he could truly be a prophet of God.

Time passed. I lost track of him somehow, but I've kept his sermons in my heart. I've often shared quotes from him and injected his axioms into lessons and commentaries I've had opportunity to share with congregations and acquaintances.

"So, You Call Yourself A Man," is one of the greatest books on manliness and responsibility I've ever read. I honestly believe it changed my life.

He truly inspired me!

Sadly, I've heard things over the years that have made me uncomfortable about him. Not about immorality, like all too many tele-vangelists, but about money.

I never gave it much thought until now, I suppose. Doing a "Bing" search can be incredibly and painfully informative.

"How much is T.D. Jakes worth?"

As of 2018, $147 million.

Wow! The sacrifices some preachers make for the Gospel!

Do I believe it? Sure!

I see his books for sale all the time at work. His name shows up repeatedly in any mention of popular authors and preachers in our country. I've seen him hob-nobbing with Obama and other famous and infamous sorts.

I am a free-market guy and I have no problem with honest money. But why would a follower of Christ, a minister of the Gospel who, frankly, makes his living from preaching, feel comfortable with being one of the richest men in our country? Is the Gospel supposed to make you rich as the world sees rich? What do the poorest of the poor who listen to him think about his great wealth?

I've heard he's become a "prosperity Gospel" preacher. He certainly has prospered!

Christ said, "Foxes have their holes and birds have their nests, but the Son of Man does not have a place to lay His head."

Paul the Apostle said, "Don't muzzle the ox that treads out the corn." Yeah, seems to me, this ox is definitely not being muzzled.

I was talking to my dad about a pastor of mine when I attended his rather large church. I was just remarking off-hand about his salary and benefit package and how I felt he was earning his keep. The total amount exceeded six figures and this would've been twenty years ago.

I talked on about the sacrifices he was making as our pastor. You know, the time and effort, etc.

Dad just calmly replied, "Doesn't sound like he's sacrificing that much."

My dad was very wise!

Luke 9:58 KJV
And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

God and the Old Cherokee

Me: Imagine, if you will, a Cherokee lives sixty years and dies in the year A.D. 1000. He closes his eyes in death and opens them before the God of the universe. Would the conversation go something like this?

Cherokee: Am I dead?

God: Yes.

Cherokee: Wow! This is not what I expected.

God: I'm sure.

Cherokee: So, who are you?

God: I am the Creator of all that exists.

Cherokee: Okay. So, what's next?

God: Well, I don't have any good new
s for you?

Cherokee: What do you mean?

God: You are going to Hell.

Cherokee: "Hell"? Is that bad?

God: Yes, it is a terrible place of darkness and torment.

Cherokee: Really? Why am I going there?

God: Because you did not accept my Son as your Savior.

Cherokee: "Son"? You have a son?

God: Of course! He was born from a virgin in Bethlehem in Judea. Just like the prophets foretold.

Cherokee: Wait! "Bethlehem"? Is that a town or something? And what's this about a "virgin"? "Prophets"? Who are these guys and what did they say?

God: The prophets had many things to say about the coming of my Son on earth. Later, the Apostles wrote Gospels about His miracles and ministry.

Cherokee: Hold on just a moment, now! You've totally lost me here. I've always believed there were things higher than me. My father and his father taught me about the spirits of the trees and the animals, but I've never heard any of this "Gospels" stuff before! No one ever said anything about any of that. Is that something I can tell from the trees, the stars or the moon?

God: Certainly not. Though the heavens declare my Glory and the firmament shows my handiwork, I Commissioned my people to spread the Gospel to all the world.

Cherokee: Yeah, I always did like the trees, the animals and the stars, but you're saying they aren't really gods or spirits?

God: Well, as is obvious now, all those things, all the gods and spirits your elders told you of were false. I am the one true, living God.

Cherokee: Oh, sure, I see that now, but why again am I going to this place called "Hell"? Isn't there somewhere else? Maybe somewhere better?

God: Yes, there is Heaven, but Heaven is only for those who gave their hearts and souls to me and trusted in My Son, Jesus.

Cherokee: Now, that's all well and good, but was His name written somewhere? I mean, not that I can read, but, like I said, I gazed at the stars many, many nights and have seen more moonrises and sunrises than I can remember, but I've never heard the name "Jesus" before. I know, you said I couldn't see His name in the trees or sky, but maybe you could've sent someone to tell me about Him? Did you?

God: Yes, I sent many missionaries, far and wide. Even into Europe and Africa.

Cherokee: "Europe" and where? I've never heard of those places either. How about over here? Did anyone come over here?

God: No, no one has actually carried the Gospel to your people yet, but in another five hundred years...

Cherokee: "Five hundred years"? I'll have been in this "Hell" a long time by then.

God: Yes, I suppose so.

Cherokee: So, let me get this straight: I'm going to a place of agony, to suffer and be punished, I guess, for never accepting a truth that I've never heard, about someone I've never heard of and none of my kinsmen will even hear about for centuries, because no one has warned me of this coming wrath.

God: That about sums it up.

Cherokee: Really? So, I'm condemned for neither accepting or rejecting your Son though I've never even been given the opportunity to do either? Is that right? Is that fair? Is that justice?

Me: Is it?

The Meat of the Gospel

Fundamentalists crack me up! They think the "meat" of the Gospel is "prophecy," or, at least, what they regard as prophecy. Personally, I think it's not that all.

I'm reminded of something I heard Mike Warnke say some years ago. He said that when a woman comes up to you and confesses she used to be a man, but just got saved and doesn't know what to do, "you'd better have some Jesus on tap."

It's not your ability to quote exhaustive eschatalogical books or draw complicated charts on your living room wall or juxtapose scripture passages with the front page of your local newspaper. It's about real people in a real world who need real hope. They don't need platitudes or mock profundity. What they really need is compassion and lovingkindness. Now, to me, that's the meat of the Gospel.

Quoting is always easier than caring. I will be the first to say, being involved is easier said that done. Still, it's impossible to hit the target when so many Christians don't even know what the target is.

Jeremiah 31:3
The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.