Predestination, Free Will & Pride

Christ and Him Crucified: The Church’s Motto and the Humble Heart of True Theology

We live in an age of opinion.
Every believer with a Bible becomes a theologian.
Every keyboard becomes a pulpit.
But the true church must speak with one voice.
And that voice should echo Paul:

“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
— 1 Corinthians 2:2

Not Christ and Calvin.
Not Christ and Arminius.
Not Christ and cleverness.
Just Christ crucified.

This is not an entry-level doctrine.
It is the center of everything.
The ground we stand on.
The fire that fuels our worship.
The foundation of our unity.
And the death blow to our pride.

Not a Contest of Minds

When we argue predestination vs. free will to showcase our “great knowledge,”
we reveal our great pride.
Pride has no place in Gospel doctrine.
We were saved by grace, not IQ.

“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.”
— 1 Corinthians 8:1

The Bible teaches both predestination and responsibility.
Not in contradiction, but in mystery.
God is sovereign.
Man must respond.
Both are true.
Both are biblical.
But neither were given for debate club victories.

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God,
but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever…”
— Deuteronomy 29:29

Pride Doesn’t Stop with Predestination

Pride wears many theological masks.

It shows up in:

  • Baptism debates — immersion vs. sprinkling, believer vs. infant.

  • Communion — real presence vs. symbolic.

  • Church government — bishops, elders, congregations.

  • Spiritual gifts — cessationist vs. continuationist.

  • End times — pre-trib, post-trib, mid-trib, pan-trib.

Do these things matter? Yes.
Should we study them? Yes.
Should we divide and belittle and boast? No.

“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies;
you know that they breed quarrels.”
— 2 Timothy 2:23

When doctrine becomes a platform for pride instead of a pathway to Christ,
we are no longer “contending for the faith” —
we’re contending for our ego.

The Things That Are Revealed

God has made His will known.
Not all of it — but enough.
He tells us what to believe,
what to do,
and who to follow.

  • Love the Lord your God (Matthew 22:37)

  • Love your neighbor (Matthew 22:39)

  • Make disciples (Matthew 28:19)

  • Walk humbly (Micah 6:8)

  • Bear fruit (John 15:8)

Not once does He command us to resolve divine mysteries.
But He does command us to trust and obey.

Theology Without Humility is Idolatry

There is nothing wrong with deep study.
We need teachers.
We need sound doctrine.
We need to guard the truth.
But when doctrine becomes a sword for pride —
we're no longer servants of Christ.

Even demons have perfect theology —
and tremble (James 2:19).

“If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge…
but have not love, I am nothing.”
— 1 Corinthians 13:2

The Cross Is the Focus

Paul knew a thousand things.
But he chose to preach one thing.
Because the cross is the power of God (1 Cor 1:18).
It is the wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24).
It is the end of all boasting (Gal 6:14).

He didn’t come with flair.
He didn’t argue fine points.
He came with Christ crucified.

This is what saves.
This is what unites.
This is what humbles.

Let God Be True, and Every Man a Liar

We cannot explain all mysteries.
We are not God’s editors.
We are not Heaven’s apologists.
We are servants of the Word, not managers of it.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord.”
— Isaiah 55:8

Let us remember:
We will not be judged by how well we argued Romans 9.
We will be judged by how we obeyed the clear commands of Jesus.

Theology Should Lead to Worship

The deeper we go into God’s Word,
the lower we should fall in awe and humility.

Not, “Look how much I know.”
But, “Look how gracious He is.”

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!”
— Romans 11:33

The Church's Real Work

The church is not a seminary.
It is not a debate hall.
It is not a philosophical society.

It is the body of Christ,
the bride of the Lamb,
the pillar and buttress of the truth (1 Tim 3:15).

And our mission is not to win arguments —
but to proclaim Christ,
to love one another,
and to make disciples.

“By this all people will know that you are My disciples,
if you have love for one another.”
— John 13:35

A People of the Cross

Let 1 Corinthians 2:2 be our motto.

In the pulpit — preach Christ crucified.
In the pews — worship Christ crucified.
In the world — live for Christ crucified.

All other ground is sinking sand.
All other wisdom is foolishness.
All other glory belongs to God alone.

“For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
— 1 Corinthians 2:2

May we never outgrow it.
May we never move past it.
May we never boast in anything else.

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Disclaimer:
We understand that words like these may stir discomfort, even disagreement. Whenever pride is confronted — especially in matters as personal as doctrine — hearts may be pricked. But our goal is not to diminish truth, nor dismiss sound theology, but to call all of us — teachers, students, pastors, pew-sitters — back to the heart of the Gospel, which is Christ and Him crucified. Our intention is not to provoke division, but to cultivate humility, unity, and obedience to the clear commands of Christ.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you…
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
— Ephesians 4:31–32