The Sovereignty of God
description
Transcript of The Sovereignty of God
The Sovereignty of God
My Will be doneor
Thy Will be done?
Does God Control All Things?
God : knows everything about everyone is never taken by surprise is in control of all that happens (?) plans / planned all that happens Did not send Jesus as “Plan B” after Adam
sinned is the Author of our salvation. (Not us!)Can we do anything to save ourselves? at times acts in ways we cannot understand knows who will be savedDid Jesus die for all, whether believe on Him or not?
A bit of History Early church – very simple doctrinal
views Errors doctrinal statements Pelagius, (5th C. Briton) : obligation
implies ability – God doesn’t command impossible
Augustine recognised heresy Pelagius condemned by Council of
Carthage : A.D. 412, confirmed A.D. 418
A.D. 431 Eastern Church also censured Pelagians in General Synod at Ephesus
The Problem
Does God cause events or just foreknow them?
What’s the difference? What do we mean by predestination? Are some people destined to be saved /
lost? How much free will does man really
have?
Calvin & Arminius John Calvin (1509-1564) – French
theologian, worked in Geneva to reform Church
Influenced by Augustinian doctrine – famous for teaching on predestination
Jacobus Arminius (Jakob Hermanzoon), 1560-1609; professor at University of Leyden
Arminius: "the grace sufficient for salvation is conferred on the Elect, and on the Non-elect; that, if they will, they may believe or not believe, may be saved or not be saved."
Calvinism & Arminianism
Arminianism1. Sinner, can do
good & respond to God
2. God elects on basis of foreseen faith
3. Christ died for all
4. Man can resist God
5. Believer may lose salvation
Calvinism• Man unable of self
to respond to God• God elects
according to His good pleasure
• Christ died for Elect
• Irresistible election
• Elect can never lose salvation
TULIP – 5 points1. Total Depravity - Original sin means all
human beings are incapable of being good.
2. Unconditional Election - God chooses people on His own grounds. (Predestination)
3. Limited Atonement - Jesus died to redeem only those God chose to save
4. Irresistible Grace - God causes those whom He chooses to accept His grace
5. Perseverance - Once someone has been saved by God, he cannot lose his salvation.
Roses & Lilacs
R=Radical DepravityO=Overcoming GraceS=Sovereign ElectionE=Eternal LifeS=Singular Redemption
L=Limited DepravityI=I Choose ChristL=Limitless AtonementA=Arrestible GraceC=Carnal Security
The Good, Bad & Ugly
Good: Salvation not up to us – God’s doing
Bad: Confused with fatalism & excuse for laziness
Ugly: Often leads to name-calling & fights
God doesn’t play with scales! God sees no-one as righteous apart
from Jesus – all fallen short; all deserve hell!
Objections What about free will & “making a
decision”? God can accomplish whatever He desires
Foreknowledge better than predestination? If God knows, it’s as certain to happen
anyway Human Responsibility versus Election
Cf. both ideas in same chapter – John 6. “It’s not fair!”
Paul’s response in Rom 9:19 -21 – see also Isa. 45:9; Jer. 18:1-12
Additional Thoughts 2 truths of this mystery often side by
side Believe because elected / elected
because believe John 6 shows divine sovereignty in
verses 37, 44, and 65 Human responsibility is emphasised in
verses 29, 35, 40, & 47