Saturday, September 28, 2013

Is Satan A Calvinist? (part 10 of 10)

Calvinism has been defined and demonstrated.  So, I ask the question again, “is Satan a Calvinist?”  The answer, in a matter of speaking, is yes and no.  More precisely, “yes” doctrinally, but “no” practically.  Ultimately, however, the answer has to be “no”!  Why?  Because theology and doxology cannot and must not be separated.  Ever!  You cannot truly have one without the other.  Theology absent of practice is like a head missing its body.  It is dead and cannot function; it will not be able to perform or fulfill the purpose for which it was created.
Moreover, biblical, systematic, consistent Calvinism hinges on God and his glory.  That is God’s glory being revealed (Lk. 9:28-35; 2 Cor. 3:18; 4:6; Ex. 33:18-34:8), exulted in (Eph. 1:3-14; Ps. 22:23; 29:2; 57:5; 145:1-12; 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 4:11; 5:12-14; 7:12), and seen as the goal of creation and redemption (Matt. 25:34; Tit. 1:2; Rev. 13:8; Rom. 5:14; 1 Pet. 1:19-20; 2 Tim. 1:9; Eph. 1:4; 3:7-11; 1 Cor. 15:24-28; Jn. 17:2, 6). 
If that is the case, then we know that Satan will not willingly worship, honor, glorify God, or seek his glory.  He finds no pleasure or joy in God or his majesty.  The devil is wicked and bent on corrupting or dispelling the light with his darkness.  He too is radically depraved.  However, indirectly and against his will, Satan brings glory to God by being conquered, triumphed over, judged, and punished for eternity (Rev. 20:10; 1 Jn. 3:8; Heb. 2:14).  Note, the devil does not glorify God, but God glorifies himself through his actions directed towards Satan.  Calvin, as is expected, sheds much needed light on this,

Satan is clearly under God’s power, and is so ruled by His bidding as to be     compelled to render Him service... For inasmuch as the devil is by nature wicked, he is not at all inclined to obedience to the divine will, but utterly intent upon contumacy and rebellion... By this wickedness he is urged on to attempt courses of actions which he believes to be most hostile to God.  But because with the bridle of His power God holds him bound and restrained, he carries out only those things which have been divinely permitted to him; and so he obeys his Creator, whether he will or not, because he is compelled to yield Him service wherever God impels him.[1]

When all is said and done, God will glorify himself by executing holy judgment and righteous indignation on Satan and his minions.  God’s justice will be vindicated and his wrath poured out for all eternity on those who sought only to glorify themselves and not obey and serve the Creator (Rev. 12:9-12; 1 Cor. 15:25-28).  Keep in mind that Satan knows all the right things, he is doctrinally sound.  That knowledge will not save him though.  He is wise, extremely intelligent, and educated beyond human comprehension, yet he will endure everlasting punishment and torment in hell.  Knowledge does not save.  Neither does doctrine.  Christ saves!
SUMMARY
     Calvinism begins with a gospel-saturated mind and heart that worships and adores the Lord as he is; as he reveals himself.  In other words, it treats God as God.  The focus is rightly placed on the glory, sovereignty, freedom, and purposes of God.  Only then does it move to rebellious, sinful, iniquitous, wicked man.  This is not, nor could it be a manmade invention or creation.  Mankind has always set himself at the heart of everything and then expected God to work within prefabricated and predefined parameters.  Notwithstanding, Calvinism is God-centered, Christ-exalting, Spirit-inflamed, grace-driven, joy-producing, gospel-empowered Christianity.  These doctrines seek to glorify God and humble humanity; honors God as King and sees man as beggars; magnifies God as the Lord of Life and man as dead and lifeless.  “Salvation belongs to the Lord” (Jon. 2:9).  As such, man would never seek after God unless he sought to save sinners first.  Just as light from the sun is needed to see the sun, we need God in order to see God (Ps. 36:9 “in Your light do we see light”).


[1]Calvin, Institutes, 1.14.17.

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