Divine election equates to belief…
By luke g. on Nov 10, 2009 in Book Shelf, NT Studies, Systematic Theology, Theology
I just picked up Andreas J. Kostenberger’s A Theology of John’s Gospel and Letters and I’m impressed. It, along with Carson’s Pillar commentary, is quickly becoming a must read for anyone interested in Johannine studies. At 656 pages, Kostenberger has provided a very interesting theology of John’s Gospel and three Epistles. I read the following and thought I’d share it with you all…
“… John stresses that apart from divine election, it is impossible for anyone to be saved and receive eternal life. This shows that prior to the human choice to believe, resulting in salvation and eternal life, is the divine choice of election, enabling some, but mysteriously not others, to believe and place their trust in Christ. On a human level, this may be counterintuitive and hard to understand, if not appear to militate against human notions of fairness. Yet this reality is clearly taught in several Johannine passages, most notably Jesus’ pronouncement in 8:47; 10:26; and 14:17 and in the evangelist’s words at the end of the Book of Signs.” (459, emphasis his)
Kostenberger goes on to provide the following Scriptures as supporting evidence (emphasis his):
- 8:47: “Whoever belongs to God hears what God says, The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.“
- 10:25b-26: “The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.“
- 12:37-40: “Even after Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. This was to fulfill the words of Isaiah the prophet: ‘Lord, who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?’ For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere: ‘He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so they can neither see with their eyes, nor understand with their hearts, nor turn – and I would heal them.’”
- 14:17: “The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him…”
Finally, after listing these Scriptures, Kostenberger notes that “people do not belong to God; that is why they do not listen to Jesus” and that “people are not Jesus’ sheep; that is why they do not believe” and that “God blinded people’s eyes and hardened their hearts; that is why they cannot believe.” This leads to the logical conclusion that “places human unbelief ultimately within the sphere of God’s sovereignty, and more specifically his (positive or negative) elective purposes.”
It would seem odd, arrogant, or deceptive if we did not acknowledge how difficult it is to reconcile God’s sovereign actions with our human understanding of “fairness.” Yet Kostenberger clarifies that “John clearly does not condone this kind of reasoning and has no problem affirming both divine sovereignty and human responsibility in proper proportion to one another, with divine sovereignty serving as the comprehensive framework within which human agents are called to make responsible choices – most importantly, believing in Jesus as Messiah” (p. 460).
This leads me to ask, “Can not God change his mind concerning someone’s election like He changed Paul’s heart so that they do believe?”
dkotecki | Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
Hmm. Good question.
I do believe that the Bible indicates that God opens people’s hearts to believe the Gospel (Acts 16:14, etc.).
I just don’t think God “changes his mind” about people’s election.
What do you think?
luke g. | Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
So then God had already elected Paul, but worked in Paul to become one of God’s people? We therefore should continue to pray & minister to people because we don’t know who God’s elect are? What about God’s desire that none should perish? How does that fit in with election?
dkotecki | Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
I agree 100% with this statement.
It’s hard to read the Damascus road encounter with Jesus in a way that does not see the sovereignty of God at work. When we read Romans 8:29-30, it seems to me that the “golden chain of redemption” is that God has sovereignly decreed and predestined individuals and that He brings His sovereign plan together (“those whom he predestined, he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he glorified”).
Absolutely! We, being human, do not know the mind of God and do not know whom are His. We simply know that people cannot be saved apart from faith in Christ!
The apostle Paul actually makes a similar statement when he writes “I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Tim. 2:10). Paul was willing to endure labor, imprisonment, beatings, whippings, stoning, being shipwrecked, danger from travel, danger from robbers, persecution from unbelieving Jews (and Judaizers), hunger and thirst, and much more (2 Cor. 11:23-28) all for the sake of the elect. Why? Because the elect must hear the gospel and the elect will respond to the gospel! Praise Jesus! Otherwise our evangelism is in vain and a waste of time.
Well, this question can be answered on two fronts – exegetically and philosophically. Both are reasonable, in my opinion.
(1) The text in question is from 2 Peter 3:9, which states, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.”
When I read this text, I find that the context seems to clearly be in reference to Peter’s readers – believers. God is patient toward you. Who is the “you” and the “any” and the “all” in this text? It seems to me that the context indicates that God is patient towards the church and desires that they not perish and that they live out repentance. Most commentators seem to lean that direction (even those who do not agree with my overall Reformed perspective).
(2) Philosophically speaking, it would seem to me that God “wills” or “desires” that people come to Christ and live holy lives but on some level His “ultimate will” (what is referred to by theologians as His “decretive will”) takes ultimate priority and God has sovereignly chosen to not only allow but to ordain that evil exist and that people do not come to Christ.
Because of the clarity that the Westminster Confession of Faith offers, I’d like to quote how this Historic confessional states it:
I. God from all eternity did by the most wise and holy counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass; yet so as thereby neither is God the author of sin; nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established.
II. Although God knows whatsoever may or can come to pass, upon all supposed conditions; yet hath he not decreed any thing because he foresaw it as future, as that which would come to pass, upon such conditions.
III. By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death.
IV. These angels and men, thus predestinated and foreordained, are particularly and unchangeably designed; and their number is so certain and definite that it can not be either increased or diminished.
V. Those of mankind that are predestinated unto life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ, unto everlasting glory, out of his free grace and love alone, without any foresight of faith or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving him thereunto; and all to the praise of his glorious grace.
VI. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath he, by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, foreordained all the means thereunto. Wherefore they who are elected being fallen in Adam are redeemed by Christ, are effectually called unto faith in Christ by his Spirit working in due season; are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power through faith unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only.
VII. The rest of mankind, God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of his own will, whereby he extendeth or withholdeth mercy as he pleaseth, for the glory of his sovereign power over his creatures, to pass by, and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the praise of his glorious justice.
VIII. The doctrine of this high mystery of predestination is to be handled with special prudence and care, that men attending to the will of God revealed in his Word, and yielding obedience thereunto, may, from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their eternal election. So shall this doctrine afford matter of praise, reverence, and admiration of God; and of humility, diligence, and abundant consolation to all that sincerely obey the gospel.
Therefore, I would read texts such as 1 Tim. 2:4 and Ezekiel 33:11 in light of texts that clearly call our attention to God’s sovereign decrees and read them in light of what is very clear.
Furthermore, on the basis of exegesis alone, I think we interpret 1 Tim. 2:4 in light of the previous verses which seems to indicate that God desires all types or kinds of men to be saved in that God does not only choose to save people from certain social standings (cf. that prayer and intercession is made for “all people,” including “kings and all who are in high positions” in 1 Tim. 2:1-2).
And I see Ezekiel 33:11 in the sense that God does not take pleasure in destroying the wicked but I’d argue that God, who is a pleased and happy God, takes pleasure in His own justice and righteousness when He does pour our His judgment on the wicked.
I suppose I should just clarify that I believe those whom God has chosen will be saved – period. Their salvation is a product of their election (which leads to their being regenerated and placing faith in Christ), not the other way around. Many (most) Evangelicals these days tend to believe that God foresees our faith and then chooses us. I do not agree with this position, though many people that I love and respect would fall into this category.
On a somewhat related note… I really think you should pick up Sam Storms’ Chosen For Life in the TCF resource center. It is very, very, very good.
luke g. | Nov 13, 2009 | Reply
Unconditional Election is quite an awe inspiring doctrine. On top of Luke’s suggestion, Loraine Boettner’s The Reformed Doctrine of Predestination is still a classic exposition of the Doctrines of Grace.
Jholmes | Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
Thanks, I’ll be sure to check into those books. I guess I’ve always had the hope because of Paul’s transformation that God can change someone’s heart. An elderly woman once said to me that unless someone wants to change it does no good to pray for them. I have always believed otherwise. To me there is always hope. If I’m wrong on this I want to know.
dkotecki | Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
I would disagree with the view that “it does no good to pray for someone who does not wish to change.” I also believe that hope is not beyond God. Oftentimes, I think God is waiting for us to ask and pray “ye have not because ye ask not, or you ask amiss” applies here. But I believe also that we must pray for God’s will and decide that we will be contented with God’s decision. God has a permissive will as well.
I have known people who have prayed for the salvation of some for decades and the glory of God is revealed in a positive outcome of salvation. Prayer never falls on deaf ears regardless of God’s divine will and overall plan. However the answer may not be what we desire, but we must praise God regardless. I believe we may weep for those who were not in the elect once we enter heaven but God will wipe away tears from our eyes and we will rejoice for evermore.
I do agree with Luke when he mentioned that we will rejoice at God’s judgment just because of God’s attributes.
glmeador | Nov 19, 2009 | Reply
I pray for my unsaved family every day and most of them are very hardened towards Jesus. Hopefully they get saved.
Erin | Nov 19, 2009 | Reply
Erin, sorry your post was messed up. I accidentally deleted it and then reposted it and then double posted it. Should be fine now. Sorry!
My thoughts:
Amen to what glmeador wrote.
I think we must understand that no one wants to change on their own. That is why prayer and evangelism are such important means that God uses to accomplish His sovereign purpose of bring people to Christ. Our prayers are extremely important to how God has chosen to work…
Interestingly, this past Sunday I preached a bit on the judgment of God and how I personally feel the tension of wanting to absolutely grieve at the thought of God’s judgment and yet I also have the desire to praise and glorify God for His righteous judgment because of the fact that it’s based on His own righteousness and His own holiness, and in turn, when I think about God’s judgment I think about His mercy and compassion!
luke g. | Nov 19, 2009 | Reply