227 – Election Does Not Deny Human Responsibility

SEMESTER 2

227 – Election Does Not Deny Human Responsibility

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE:  SOTERIOLOGY II LESSON # 27
ELECTION DOES NOT DENY HUMAN RESPONSIBILITY

INTRODUCTION:

1. One of the most frequent caricatures drawn against the teaching of sovereign election, is that it negates human responsibility.
2. This is simply the conclusion, that if God has determinatively chosen from before creation, then the result is sure and unchan­geable; therefore, man cannot change his destiny and thus, would not be responsible to believe or repent.
3. This “rationalization” has at least two basic problems:

i. It ignores or explains away clear biblical statement.
ii. It ignores facts held and taught even by its own promoters.

4. This objection is anticipated, clearly stated, and rebuked by Paul in Rom 9:18-20.

I. THE IMPIETY OF THIS OBJECTION

1. It is an argument against what God has done and revealed (Rom 9:18), not merely someone else’s interpretation.
2. Man has no right to question or object to any revealed action of God. (Rom 9:20)
3. The objection is a demand upon God, to have equal mercy upon all, but Romans 9:18 states quite the opposite.
4. Such an opposer deserves no answer, but for the earnest seeker after truth, I will try to explain.

II. THESE ARE TWO PHASES OF GOD’S WILL

1. God does as He pleases, including saving whom He pleases. (Eph 1:11)
2. Yet, Scripture clearly states truths that on the surface, seem to oppose this truth.

i. The gospel is to be preached to all. (Mar 16:15)
ii. This gospel is a universal and sincere offer. (Mat 11:28)
iii. God commands all men to repent and come to Christ. (Act 17:30)

3. How, if at all, may these Bible revelations be reconciled? It is by Bible distinction in the phases of God’s will. (Deu 29:29)

i. The revealed will of God (approbation).

a) To this belongs imminent preference, and command.
b) Out of this flows human responsibility.

ii. The secret will of God (decree).

a) To this belongs divine permission and providence.
b) Out of this flows God’s ultimate, glorious, finished work.

4. An illustration of these phases is our willingness to let, or cause, our children to suffer chastisement to bring them to conformity.

III. WHAT OF THE “NON-ELECT”

(Explain how the use of the term is, in some sense, an objection to divine election.)

1. Election does not constrain or inhibit any “non-elect” person.
2. It leaves them exactly where they would be if there were no election.
3. Thus, it does not actively effect them in any way.

IV. RESPONSIBILITY AND SPIRITUAL INABILITY

1. A great theological error is to equate human responsibility to human ability.
2. Man’s responsibility is rather equal to divine demand.
3. Man is the author of his own inability (not God) thus, man’s responsibility is not altered by it.
4. Man’s fall (for which all men are guilty) was not just innocent misfortune, it was deliberate default and rebellion.

V. SOVEREIGN ELECTION IS CONSISTENT WITH FREE AGENCY

1. God does not force the elect to repent, He graciously converts him, so that he turns voluntarily.

i. This statement does not deny effectual calling or “irresi­stible grace.”

2. God does not prevent the “non-elect” from repenting, but simply allows him to continue in his own desire.