How Free Is God
April 19, 2008 by thomastwitchell
“Now as far as God overriding the will to cause “evil” decisions, I think we would both want to distance ourselves from such assertions.”
But now let us consider:
Each of these deals with the salvation of God’s people. What stands out is that God not only repeatedly tells us that he is the one who has caused these events to come about, they all lead to actions evil. The question that must be asked is why would God will to blind men to the truth so that they would do what is sinful? In Paul’s writing we find that it is the god of this world that has blinded men. Still, we have the previous declaration, that no matter how God did it, either by direct agency or indirect, he is still the primal causal agent. We Calvinists do not have a hard time saying that God is the author of sin if what is meant is that he is the one who has ordained it and all the means that will bring it about and not that he does it. We also understand that God has created man in the image of God, an agent responsible, with volition. We understand also that as Isaiah says, as Jesus demonstrated, and which is repeated by Paul in Romans, it is the very sign of the spirit of rebellion which speaks back to its maker accusing God of sin in making man as he sees fit as either vessels of wrath or vessels of mercy. The key word is vessels; tools by which he brings himself glory. The pride filled heart does not like it when God calls him nothing, clay to be molded, dust to be spit upon to give eyes to the blind. Yet, that is the Truth.
Jeremiah 18:12 It is the evil heart that will not have anything to do with what God forms. He calls it vain, and as Isaiah said, it is because they believe God does not know what is best for them:
“You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?
1 Corinthians 2:8 And this is where it all comes together. It was God who purposed that Christ would go to Calvary. It was he who bruised the Son. It was he who killed him. It was the Father who provided the Lamb, and spilled his blood for the sacrifice. It was by the hands of evil men that he did so. And, he accomplished that by blinding their understanding. In all this God is innocent of sin, yet from before the world began, Jesus was the Lamb slain; before man was created, before he fell, it was ordained, in the eternal councils, the Word, that Judas would betray him. Those very actions that evil men carried out, each and every one, are exemplified in all the prophecies that were fulfilled in the passion. Each one demonstrating that God does indeed superintend the thoughts, actions, and outcomes of men’s lives.
It is uncomfortable for the flesh to accept this because it requires that a man die to himself, his self-determination, and bow the Lordship of the sovereign God who creates and orchestrates all minutial things for his glory. The natural man cannot receive this, because God has blinded their hearts. Indeed it is a wisdom above man’s logic so that man cannot glory in it at all. It is impossible for the natural man to submit to it. But, God in his mercy grants, that is gives repentance, and he does that just the same way that he gave to some the knowledge of the parables and kept it from others.
Hey, Thomas, your a very thoughtful guy. I appreciate the good reading here at your site.
There are others on th internet! Hallelujah!
Thanks for visiting Todd. Sorry there is notning new, I have been busy elsewhere.
May God richly bless you.
tt
Nice icon, Dr. Honeydew.
I appreciate the willingness of your article here to tackle the tough questions in a head-on manner. I agree with your conclusions.
Funny how there are times when the notion of a sovereign God can be so comforting, and other times when the same notion can make us squirm.
Hard truths, but truths nonetheless. Well thought through as always, sir Twitchell.
I am so honored, Doulos. By any other name, Reformed, Calvinisit, Biblicist, it would still smell as sweet. I would even go with Doulosian. Ya gotta be a slave to someone, right?
I was thinking when I heard today of Christ pronouncing his disciples friends. What that means is that he has condescended to be one with us and make known his mysteries. It means also, that he has chosen to make us one in his servanthood. Wow, a king who would be servant and friend of sinners. What a way the Father has made to glorify his sons.
Gordan- We are continuing a study of discipleship at church which right now is predicated on the life of Moses. One of the things that came up is what it must have been like each time Moses was granted a hearing by the Pharaoh. Moses had his resume’ to look back on and a history of God’s dealing with his people. It is only a guess, but the Scripture comes to mind, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling…” That is awesome. Who knows if God will bring blessing, Peter at Pentecost, or calamity, Stephen’s stoning. Same sermon different result… yet both saw the consolation of the Lord.
Woe is me, I am undone…