OT Saul's Salvation and Fall From Grace?
Posted: Wed May 04, 2016 3:55 pm
In my personal studies, I am reading lately through probably my favorite OT book(s): I and II Samuel.
In particular verses dealing with Saul's acceptance and/or denial of God, it seems to be a breeding ground for Calvinism / Arminianism debates. I myself lean towards Arminian, though I am currently unwilling to plant myself on a continuum saying, "This is what I believe."
In my personal studying today, I came to I Samuel 10:9; where it seems this is describing believing position of Saul. It says that "God gave him a new heart." Of course, even the average literate Bible reader knows that Saul would come to reject God's kingship, and thus giving rise to David.
Compare this passage though with I Samuel 15:10, where Saul rejects God, and I Samuel 16:14, Saul's rejection made way for a "evil spirit from the Lord" to enter into Saul (see also 18:10).
Now, some of my Study Bibles done by Calvinist editors suggest that God's change of Saul's heart (in I Samuel 10:9), is firstly, a change that GOD did which should dispel any rumors that Saul made the conscientious choice to accept God... and that change was obviously just for God's sovereign purposes that did not have to do with salvation.
What are anyone's thoughts? Do these passages have to do with the Arminian and Calvinist discussion at all? Does it point to one or the other being more correct?
In particular verses dealing with Saul's acceptance and/or denial of God, it seems to be a breeding ground for Calvinism / Arminianism debates. I myself lean towards Arminian, though I am currently unwilling to plant myself on a continuum saying, "This is what I believe."
In my personal studying today, I came to I Samuel 10:9; where it seems this is describing believing position of Saul. It says that "God gave him a new heart." Of course, even the average literate Bible reader knows that Saul would come to reject God's kingship, and thus giving rise to David.
Compare this passage though with I Samuel 15:10, where Saul rejects God, and I Samuel 16:14, Saul's rejection made way for a "evil spirit from the Lord" to enter into Saul (see also 18:10).
Now, some of my Study Bibles done by Calvinist editors suggest that God's change of Saul's heart (in I Samuel 10:9), is firstly, a change that GOD did which should dispel any rumors that Saul made the conscientious choice to accept God... and that change was obviously just for God's sovereign purposes that did not have to do with salvation.
What are anyone's thoughts? Do these passages have to do with the Arminian and Calvinist discussion at all? Does it point to one or the other being more correct?