I realized in a recent discussion of this topic at GCM that the mistake I was making in presenting my beliefs on this issue was to take a neither/nor approach.  I don’t believe in “decision theology” and I also don’t believe in Calvin’s presentation of predestination.  I don’t reject Luther’s belief *but* Luther often makes me smile at how willing he was to embrace the mystery and not need to know.  Ironically, I’m that way too, but differently.  Maybe I just embrace the gray when I’m all burned out digging for the answers LOL

In talking with a friend of mine at services this last Saturday I was able to hone some of what I’d been trying to say in the thread.  He was raised Orthodox Jewish and his family held a funeral ceremony when he embraced Yeshua   He’s currently reading a book called “The Call” that is written by Gentile Christians to other Gentile Christians in an effort to try and teach what community is and why it’s important.  His response from growing up Jewish is, ‘Hunh?’ Because to him, and to all children born and raised Orthodox Jew, community is what you have. You’re born into it.  It’s not something you get a say in.

Suddenly it dawned on me *lightbulb*  My belief isn’t neither/nor; it’s both.

I did explain in the thread that I believe it is the community that is elect, predestined for a purpose. In Ephesians Paul speaks of the Jews being the ones who were predestined to be the ones through whom the Messiah would come.  In light of that, my children are predestined because they were born into the community of faith. That mantle is upon them from birth.  I do not expect them to “get saved”; I do not anticipate them having “conversion experiences”.  They *are* saved; they *are* children who are loved by and love God.  It was not questionable to me at all to baptize my children.  I don’t believe, however, that they were made part of the community through that baptism, or that faith was  imparted to them.  In a sense, it was as symbolic as a believer’s baptism–because they are believers.

But not everyone is born into the community of faith.  Not called “pagans” anymore (except in specific groups), those born outside the community of faith in Yeshua the Messiah, would fall under the “not predestined” or “predestined to not be born within the community of faith”. But I do not believe that this sets their spiritual identity in stone.  Rather, just like with ancient Israel, God has held out the invitation to all for converting and embracing faith in Him.  The means of conversion is different (no longer involving strict ritual or circumcision of the flesh ) but conversion it is. And as in ancient Israel it must be made with Free Will–a choice after sitting down and counting the cost before purchasing the field. The reason is, as my friend found when he embraced Yeshua, our Savior did not come *this time* to bring peace–but brought with him a sword.  Families are divided when one in them embraces Yeshua.  In Orthodox Jewish homes there is a ceremony declaring them dead.  In Gentile homes there may be divorces, hardships, loss of commonality.  This is why Jesus said that we have to love Him more than our own families.

God didn’t sit up in heaven before creating mankind and decide who was going to be saved. He can look from his perspective outside of time and know who will be and who won’t. And being predestined to be born into the community of faith doesn’t mean you won’t grow and reject it (Luther made this idea broader, but I do believe it for those born into the church).  The Gospel, the Good News, is that no matter how you get there, God loves you and wants a relationship with you and therefore died for you.  The sadness is that even if you don’t get there God loves you and watns a relationship with you and died for you.  I know that some people feel a need to know why this one comes and that one doesn’t. This is where, like Luther, I say, “I don’t know.”  I do know it breaks God’s heart so if he can live with it being this way, I willingly submit to it.

http://www.blow-the-shofar-in-zion.com/images/shabbat/ARM-HAV.JPG

That is the Armenian hand painted Havdalah set we are trying to order (the 4 pieces on the right) and there’s a matching Passover set.  We can’t get their cart to work so I’m waiting to hear back from them or I’ll be calling tomorrow   I’m so excited.

Ever since dh found out his grandmother’s death bed confession was that she was Jewish his entire life has begun to make sense to him.  It’s been amazing to see him come alive!  He had talked of wearing a Star of David as a child but couldn’t remember why–now he remembers that his grandmother gave it to him.  He has been learning the blessings and wanting to begin traditions for our children that will give their lives the context that his has missed.  I’m so grateful God led us to the place we are so that we can do this with community and support

I’m getting Star of David necklaces for my children to memorialize their baptism and dh wants a new tallit, clip and kippah for his birthday in May.  I’m getting him a Star of David necklace too–and I hope it reminds him of his grandmother who he loved dearly. She helped raise him and he says often that I remind him of her. That should have tipped me off she was Jewish LOLOL

We went up to Flagstaff from Sunday to Monday (dh had the day off) and we stayed in a cabin.  It was fun–played in the snow. It was *cold* and we have thin AZ blood *brrr*  We had thought about going up to the Grand Canyon but decided to go when it warms up a bit

It was really nice to get away because between all the renovations and my being so sick the last few weeks we had just gotten paralyzed!  We came back with a plan of attack and have been getting things done daily!  There are lots of little things, and lots of big things, but even they can be broken down into little pieces and bite sized chunks is about all we can handle