Response to Pete Wilson

It appears that ever since Pete Wilson has departed from the faith and has embraced Reformed theology and Universal salvation, that he has nothing better to do now than to hound me via my Youtube videos (which I had to block him), and now through my email. I don’t know if he posted the following on his blog or elsewhere, but he felt it necessary to fill my email box with more of his Reformed theology.  I will address the following which he took from my website.

In the black font is from my article.  In red font is his reply.  I will now answer in blue font.

What must I do to be saved?

First you must recognize that you are in danger. The Bible teaches that God created you as a free moral agent.

Pete: NO IT DOES NOT.  IT TEACHES WE ARE CLAY IN THE HANDS OF THE POTTER.  PIECES OF CLAY HAVE NO FREE WILL.

All one has to do is read through the bible and notice that God gives man choices.  God gives a command and it is up to man to obey or not to obey.  Let’s take Adam and Eve as our first example.  God said,

“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” Genesis 2:16-16

Now Pete Wilson takes a passage of Scripture about the Potter and the Clay to make a blanket statement that man does not have a free will.  So according to Reformed theology, though God gave a command not to eat from a certain tree, that in fact, God already decreed that Adam would disobey this command, after all, we are clay in the potter’s hand.  So the logical conclusion is that God is the author of Adam’s willful disobedience.  In other words, Adam was simply a robot and had no capacity to choose between obeying or disobeying God’s command.  And the other conclusion is that Adam’s sin, or the sin of anyone, must be placed on God Himself and therefore God must take the full responsibility for man sinning!

We might be told that Adam could have resisted, but that is IMPOSSIBLE since we are mere clay in the potter’s hand.  Sorry, we cannot have our cake and eat it too.   Either we have free will to choose or we don’t, we can’t have it both ways.

The fact is, God gave Adam a choice.  Since we have a choice to choose between good and evil, the responsibility falls on us for disobeying God.   

Read the following examples how man can refuse to obey and reject God:

“…I have called and ye refused….”. Proverbs 1:24-25.

Christ said, “How often would I have gathered…and ye would not.”  In Matthew 23:37

Christ said, “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”  In John 5:40

Stephen says, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.” (In Acts 7:51 See Matthew 22:3 and Isaiah 65:12.) 

Now, is that man’s choice or did God make them reject Him?

You know right from wrong through your conscience and have the power to choose through your free will.

Pete: WHERE?  It does not say this.  It says Adam and Eve were naked and were not ashamed.  This means they were a ball of sinful flesh, made that way on purpose. 

Pete asks me for proof, but yet does not offer proof for his assertion that Adam and Eve were a ball of sinful flesh, and made that way on purpose.  Where does it state THAT in Scripture?

Ecc. 7:29 says,

  Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright;

In John’s gospel it states:

“The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.”

You are therefore going to be held responsible for your actions and will not be able to make up excuses on Judgment Day (Rev. 20:12).

Pete:  FALSE.  There is NO SCRIPTURE that says you are responsible for your sin.  Giving an account for what you did, whether good or bad is not being responsible.  GOD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THINGS, even making wicked people (PROV 16:4) and working and causing ALL THINGS.  

Besides Proverbs 16:33 and Ephesians 1:11, other verses used by those who hold to Reformed theology  to try and prove that God controls all things are Prov 16:4; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 8:6; and Revelation 4:11. 

In this instance, Pete quotes Prov 16:4

“The LORD works out everything for his own ends – even the wicked for a day of disaster.”  

What Pete would have us believe is that God “decrees” all things, but that is not what the verse says.  Note it says God “works out.”  “Works out” does not mean “decrees.”  This is similar to Romans 8:28 where it says,

“And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.”

All things are not good, but God can work all things, even evil things, together for good. Likewise in Proverbs 16:4; all things are not what God desires, however, God works out even the undesirable things for His own ends. 

And no matter how many times Pete wants to deny Scripture, we are responsible for our own sins, not God.  The Bible does say we will have to give an account one day to God.  We will be judged according to our deeds. (Rev. 20:12; John 5:28-29; Rom. 2:6-8).

It’s interesting that Pete takes one verse (Prov. 16:4) to show that we are not responsible or give an account for our own sins.  I find this amazing when Scripture says otherwise.  Why even have a judgment day if none of us are responsible for anything at all? 

 If you are honest with yourself, you will admit that you have chosen to be a sinner and chose to break the law of God (Isa. 53:6; Rom. 3:23). You originated your sins through your free will when you knew in your conscience that it was wrong.

Pete: WRONG AGAIN.  It is God, not us who works in us, to will and to way according to His good pleasure (Phil 2:13).  It is God who made us marred in His hands on purpose (Jer 18:3-4).  It is God who makes us stray from His ways (ISA 63:17).  It is God who directs our ever step (Jer 10:23).  It is God who even gives you every thought you have (Amos 4:13).  YOU HAVE ANOTHER GOSPEL

How absurd to accuse God our Creator of all sin in the world, even our own thoughts. 

Also, it would be good to look up the texts he speaks about and read them in context!

The god of Reformed theology (Calvinism) says that,

“God is seen as the great and mighty King who has appointed the course of nature and who directs the course of history even down to its minutest details.”

The god of Reformed theology says,

“He also perfectly controls all the depraved and impious affections of the wicked, and turns them as He pleases.”

The god of Reformed theology says,

“When we get the larger view we see that even the sinful acts of men have their place in the divine plan.”

So the god of Reformed theology is actually an EVIL god! The next time you read about the most cruel and vilest crimes committed such as the rape of children, putting a baby in a microwave, doctors botching up abortions and tossing the babies to die in a trash can, murderers chopping people and eating them, when a woman is forced at gunpoint to remove her clothes, then repeatedly and brutally raped and then shot in the back of the head, when a drunk runs over and kills a child; no matter what you read, THE CRIMINALS HAD NO CHOICE! Why? Because the god of Reformed theology had control of every thought, impulse, and feeling, for the evil god of Reformed theology is one who “perfectly controls all the depraved and impious affections of the wicked, and turns them as He pleases.”

The god of Reformed theology is Satanic!  And I’m accused of teaching a another Gospel?

Jesus Christ preached the truth to thousands of people, calling them to repent and follow Him (Mark 8:34-38).

Pete: Yes but the sum of HIS WORD is true.  He also said NO MAN can come to Him (and follow Him) unless the Father DRAGGED them to Him (John 6:44).  He also said ONLY those the Father gave Him will come to Him (John 6:37).  The crowds of people UNDERSTOOD NOT what Christ said,  ALL he spoke to the crowds, all of it was in parable and the meaning was hidden from them and their carnal eyes.

Of course Pete will now try to draw us into the awful doctrine of Reformed theology of “Irresistible Grace.”  Pete appeals to John 6:44.

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, and they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.”

Pete would have us believe that “draw” means “dragged.”  In other words, God “forces”.  This is not an irresistible drawing.

God enlightens every man (John 1:9). God convicts every man (John 16:8). God draws every man (John 12:32), and God leaves the choice to every man (John 3:16).

Again, read the following examples how man can refuse to obey and reject God:

“…I have called and ye refused….”. Proverbs 1:24-25.

Christ said, “How often would I have gathered…and ye would not.”  In Matthew 23:37

Christ said, “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”  In John 5:40

Stephen says, “Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.” (In Acts 7:51 See Matthew 22:3 and Isaiah 65:12.) 

God draws all men, but that doesn’t mean all men will follow Him.  We can choose not to believe.  People will reject the gospel. (John 5:40) 

“and ye will not come to me, that ye may have life.” 

Since God is responsible for everything, is God dragging them away too?

He laid his life down into the hands of lawless men, who beat Him, crucified Him and put Him to death (Acts 2:23).

Pete: And this things were determined to have been done from before the world began.  NOBODY had free will to choose Christ or choose not to crucify Him.  Read Acts 4:25-27. 

Contrary to Reformed theology, everyone has a choice.  Judas did not have to betray Christ, but he did choose.  It could have been through someone else.

Pete cannot accept the fact that we all have a free will.  God does not choose specific people for salvation and some to damnation.  Scripture is very clear on this. 

Note Acts 17:30 where God commands all men everywhere to repent.  Why would God give such a command for ALL to repent if only certain people will be saved?

“WHOSOEVER” may come to Christ for salvation, Romans 10:13; Revelation 22:17.

He was buried (John 19:38-42) and rose again on the 3rd day, defeating sin, death and the grave (1 Cor. 15:4). He showed Himself to his disciples and taught them for 40 days (Acts 1:3).

Pete: THIS all a type and shadow for how He teaches all His Elect, His true disciples.  40 years in the wilderness once called out of Egypt.  The disciples were yet carnal and understood not the true things of the Spirit until after Pentecost.  Until that day came, they served and knew Christ ONLY IN THE FLESH.  Same today, same process and only few are given the spiritual ears to hear.  

Folks, what happened to Jesus was real, not a type and shadow of how He teaches.  You see, if you don’t agree with Pete and his philosophy, then you are simply carnal or don’t have spiritual ears to hear.

He ascended into Heaven and now sits at the right hand of the Father.

Pete: Where is heaven?  It is inside of God’s Elect.  The Kingdom is inside – Luke 17:20-21.  He is not far off, He lives in HIS CHOSEN FEW NOW.

The Scripture clearly says,

“So then after the Lord had spoken to them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.” Mark 16:19

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11

Pete asks the question, “Where is heaven?”   Heaven is a place. “Received UP INTO HEAVEN.”

And yes, the “kingdom of God” is within all believers in Christ who decide to repent of their sins and follow Him.  Christ does not choose a few for salvation.  His desire is for ALL to come to repentance.

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance. “ 2 Peter 3:9

He is coming back a second time to punish all who do not know God and who do not obey the Gospel (2 Thess. 1:7-10).

Pete: He has already come back a second time for the few chosen in each generation.  He is coming back in the physical realm to rule on this earth for an age.  But your gospel that says salvation means in any way shape or form is escaping God’s wrath and judgment is patently false.  SUCH WAS NEVER GODS plan.

Whoa!  Jesus has already come back a second time for the few chosen in each generation???

Also note how Pete totally ignored 2 Thess. 1:7-10, which states:

“and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power

8  in flaming fire, rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:

9  who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

10  when he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at in all them that believed (because our testimony unto you was believed) in that day.

Pete then goes on and quotes:

Exo 6:6  Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:

Isa 1:27  Zion shall be redeemed with judgment 

Rev 15:8  And the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the seven angels were fulfilled.

Salvation only comes with JUDGMENT and THRU WRATH.  Your theology is totally inverted and reversed.

Pete quotes a couple of Old Testament passages and one from the book of Revelation – to prove what? 

The ones who store up wrath against themselves are ONLY those who do not obey the truth. (Rom. 1:18; Rom. 2:5; Rom. 2:8; John 3:36; Eph. 5:6; Col. 3:6; etc. etc.)

Jesus will deliver us from the wrath to come, for God has not appointed us unto wrath. (1 Thess. 1:10; 1 Thess. 5:9).

Salvation does NOT come through Judgment and wrath, salvation is obtained through Christ our Lord. (1 Thess. 5:9)

Pete’s theology is perverted and anti-Bible and makes no sense.

Fornicators, drunkards, thieves, homosexuals, liars, idolaters, murderers, hypocrites and all sinners will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God, but shall be cast into the Lake of Fire (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:17-21; Rev. 20:14-18, 21:8).

Pete: True, but all men face judgment and come thru God’s wrath in their appointed times.  JUDGMENT IS good, sweeter than honey and more desirable than gold.  Thru judgment, GOD destroys the marred vessel of clay and slays the beast that we all are Sandra.  Your theology claiming man was made sinless, which is totally false blinds you from any chance of seeing the truth.  YOU NEED TO BE SHOWN that you like Paul are the chief of sinners.  ONLY the chosen few will enter into the kingdom of God this side of the grave.  Those are the few that will find eternal life NOW and what that means is to know Christ in the Spirit just as Christ said here.

Joh 17:3  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Please note that all Pete can give us is his own philosophy and then make accusations against me and then try to back it up with one verse of Scripture.

Please note above the Scriptures I have given that shows God’s wrath is only reserved for those who are disobedient.  God’s wrath is never upon those who walk in righteousness, who are obedient to God.  In this sense, judgment will be good for those who are Christ’s.  Why?  Because it will be a positive judgment.

It is clear through the whole Bible that we will be judged according to our moral or immoral behavior.  We are to do good and stay away from evil passions.  We are taught to live in godliness and holiness.  This is taught throughout the Bible, right up to the book of Revelation where we read,

     “And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne, and books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life; and the dead were judged from the things which were written in the books, according to their deeds.” Rev. 20:12

    “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work.” Rev. 22:12

     “…I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.” Rev. 2:23

We see that God will judge according to one’s character and behavior.  He will judge favorably on those who do good and condemn the wicked.

Pete can only relate to us the philosophy he has learned from other people and not the Scriptures, and that is why the lack of them to prove his brand of theology.   Anyone can give their own philosophy and slap a Scripture passage to it. 

Also note where he says, “Your theology claiming man was made sinless, which is totally false blinds you from any chance of seeing the truth.  YOU NEED TO BE SHOWN that you like Paul are the chief of sinners.”

1. Pete, why accuse me of being blind to any chance of seeing the truth when it is your god who is responsible for my blindness?  After all, I am just a piece of clay in the potter’s hand.  Why do you fight against your own god?  Remember what you said above?  You said, “GOD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THINGS, even making wicked people (PROV 16:4) and working and causing ALL THINGS.”  I’m sorry to say, Pete, and don’t know if you realize this, but it is your god that is responsible for what you call my theology that is totally inverted and reversed, and how I am teaching another gospel.  Pete, why be upset with me?  Should you not be upset with your god for what I believe since he is the one causing me to believe and teach as I do? 
2. Since sin is a moral issue which is a transgression of the law and conscience (1 John 3:4; James 4:17), and babies are not able to make moral decisions, they are morally neutral! (2Kings 14:6; Deu. 24:16; 2Chr. 25:4; Eze. 18:2-4; Eze. 18:19-20) Babies are innocent. Their souls do NOT come from their parents, but rather from God in its spiritual condition (Eze.18:4). Children are neither guilty of evil, nor worthy of praise until they are able to make their own decisions (Rom.9:11). They have to come to the age of maturity  where they know to do right and do wrong….thus sin (Jas. 4:17). This sin is not by necessity, but rather by choice. (Jas.1:13-15). This is why every human is responsible for the “things done in the body” and is judged “according to what he/she has done, whether it be good or bad.” (2Cor. 5:10) 
3. Paul, after his conversion, was not known as the chief of sinners.  Paul was not referring to his present state as he penned his words, but was referring to his persecution of the church of Jesus BEFORE his conversion. 

Pete, it would do you well to read the surrounding text. Here is what Paul says in 1 Tim. 1:13-16:

Who was BEFORE a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Paul tells us why he was the chief of sinners.  He was referring to his past before his conversion when he was persecuting the church.  Note he says, “Who was BEFORE a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious:”

After Paul’s conversion we see where he lived a holy life, and the other believers, as well as God, were his witness! 

“You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe;” 1 Thessalonians 2:10,

Shame on you, Pete, for making Paul nothing but a sinner after his conversion.  This is the same man who said,

“AWAKE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS AND SIN NOT.”

What a hypocrite you make Paul out to be.  What a hypocrite to tell others not to sin, but it is okay for him to be the chief of sinners. 

Pete, your theology is so mind boggling that you can’t even reason sensibly.  It appears God has handed you over to strong delusion (2 Thess. 2:11) that you should believe a lie.

God commands ALL men EVERY WHERE to repent (stop sinning) and obey the Gospel, because Judgment Day is coming (Mark 1:15; Acts 17:30)!

Pete: JUDGMENT DAY is a day of doom, already appointed for each of us from the beginning of time.  God declared the end from the beginning.  A few will be chosen to be judged in this life, and these will be HIS ELECT.  All else will be judged later in the lake of fire and all men are sinners so long as they live in a marred vessel of clay.

Note there is no support for what he says. 

God did not choose who would be saved and who would not from the beginning of time. 

Also, how can God hold the non-elect responsible for ‘not believing’ and damn them for it, when He deliberately did not give them the faith to enable them to believe in the first place?  You have a sick and irrational god, Pete.

God is patient with you and merciful towards you, but everyday that you reject His offer of forgiveness and don’t repent (stop sinning), you are storing up wrath for yourself (Romans 2:4-10).

Pete: You are sinning Sandra as what is not of faith, and what you teach and preach is NOT OF FAITH.  I have shown you the truth and you will be storing up wrath the more you continue to rebel having been told the truth.  Far better to give these things to God now as the judgment will be less severe and less painful the sooner we are granted repentance by God.

Again, Pete, if it is true what you are saying, I am not at fault and your god takes full responsibility.  Remember?  You said your god is responsible for all things, even making wicked people.  If I’m rebelling and sinning, I’m not doing it of my own free will.  Why bother to tell me what you call truth, when I am forced to believe otherwise?  How can I give these things to your god, when it is your god that is responsible for all things, like deceiving me, including making wicked people? 

According to your theology, my judgment will be less severe and less painful, but HOW since I am forced in the position I am in by your god?  Why tell me these things?  Shouldn’t you just sit back and relax and just see what your god unfolds before your very eyes?  After all, you are not in control of what I believe, reject, for my supposed blindness, and why I am deaf.

He does NOT want you to perish in your sins (2 Peter 3:9, Ezekiel 33:11)!

Pete: And Guess what, ALMIGHTY GOD gets what He wants.  All will perish in their beastly nature, the soul that sins, which is all, shall die, it shall perish.  But the promise of this good news gospel is that ALL WILL BE RAISED TO ETERNAL LIFE.  Any other gospel is a bad news gospel and you certainly bring Christ down and exalt man with your free will nonsense that makes God a puny powerless God.  No Sandra,  like Christ said, HE nor you CAN DO ANYTHING ON YOUR OWN INITIATIVE.  GOD WORKS ALL THINGS.  Apart from Christ YOU CAN DO NOTHING.

If your god gets what he wants, then why do you struggle so and harass me?  If your god eventually saves me, I’m good, right?  I might as well sit back and wait because whatever will be will be. If your god wants to save me, I will be saved, if he damns me, I’m damned.  It will all be his fault either way.

While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us on the cross to forgive us, cleanse us and reconcile us back to God (Romans 5:6-11).

Pete: And Christ said that HE WOULD DRAW ALL MEN TO HIMSELF if HE be lifted up.  All that remains is the appointed times for each of us to come to pass.  GOD IS FAITHFUL TO HIS PROMISES.

Oh, yes, I think we covered this above.  Your god is going to “drag” me against my will.

Repent of your sins and submit yourself to following Christ and His Gospel. Only then is your soul saved from sin, death, and hell.

Pete: FALSE.  Repentance is a gift, granted to men in His mercy.  All souls shall die, they are not immortal and all have sinned.  All men shall die, God said YOU SHALL SURELY DIE, that was His plan for us to die and be made new in our appointed times.

Rev 21:5  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

Note how Pete gives his own opinion and then tries to back it up with Scripture.

1. Repentance is never said to be a “gift.”  It is a command (Acts 5:31; 11:18; 17:30-31; 20:21; 26:20; Ro. 2:4; 2 Ti. 2:25; 2 Pe. 3:9). 

   Acts 11:18 says,“When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.”That does not say repentance is a gift.  “Granted” is in the sense that God also gives the Gentiles the opportunity to repent and live.

    

2. God told Adam that he would surely die if he ate from the forbidden tree.  Also, where does it say God PLANNED for us to die? 

Notice how Pete is twisting Scripture.  He takes what God said to Adam and applies it to us.  Nowhere does it say God PLANNED for Adam or us to die.  God gave Adam a CHOICE and there was a consequence to that choice.  How absurd for God to command something when he had the opposite planned already! 

Please read your Bible!

Pete: I encourage you to read yours Sandra, with a humble spirit, putting aside your pride that maybe just maybe you have been deceived.  ALL MEN WILL BE DECEIVED FIRST

You seem to keep forgetting, Pete, that if I am in deception, it is because your god decreed it! 

I also wonder where this leaves “prayer” as far as your belief. I find it interesting that if you believe the future is settled from all eternity, then how can you think your prayers would change anything?  Why pray?

Conclusion

Pete has no Scriptural support for the philosophy he tries to have others embrace.  It is by reading the Scriptures and believing what it says that helped pull many of us out of the deception of Reformed theology. Reformed theology is simply Calvinism, and is taught in just about every denomination that exists today.  It is nothing but Gnostic teachings and utterly false!

For more information, please visit www.dividingword.net

I would also HIGHLY recommend “The Natural Ability of Man”.

This is a Study On Free Will & Human Nature by Jesse Morrell is an exhaustive theological volume that defends the Christian doctrine of man’s free will against the false Gnostic/Calvinist doctrine of man’s natural inability.

This volume explains the truth of man’s freedom of choice in light of Church history and other doctrines like total depravity, regeneration, atonement, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, predestination, repentance, faith, the believers security, original sin, etc. One Bible teacher called this book “the most comprehensive exposition on man’s natural ability in print.”

The book may be purchased here:

http://biblicaltruthresources.wordpress.com/books/theology-books/

God bless!