By Spencer D Gear PhD
How would you respond to these statements on a Christian forum? We were discussing John 12:32.
All that the Father gave Christ shall come to Christ; that is the all that Christ draws to Him.
The all Jesus draws don’t reject Christ, they come to Him, they Willingly come to Him.[1]
I responded:[2]
The Bible bases election on His foreknowledge (Rom 8:28-30; 1 Pet 1:1-2). We need to differentiate between God’s foreknowledge and His randomly determining all things and the distinction between God’s efficient and permissive decrees.
Why did sin enter the world? James N Anderson wrote, “Why would God permit such a tragic event, such an act of flagrant rebellion, in full knowledge of its horrific consequences? A friend of mine quipped, “I can answer that one in three words: I don’t know!”[3]
Anderson reasoned further:
“In His infinite wisdom and goodness, God chose the plan that would bring the greatest good.”
“God has good reasons for everything he does, including what he allows.
“Therefore, God had good reasons for allowing the fall, whether or not we can discern them.[4]
God foresaw sin’s entering the world but he did not decree it. God knows how people will respond to the Gospel invitation but he does not deliberately determine that response.
Regarding election we must have regard to God’s justice. Let’s admit it. God is not under any obligation to save anyone even though Jesus has provided salvation that is sufficient for all.
God would not be partial if he did nothing to provide salvation for all. But how can He be other than playing favourites if he selects some from the multitude of people throughout history and does nothing for the remainder who are doomed.
However, that is not how the Bible sees it. The common grace of God has been extended to all people so that everyone has the ability restored to be “willing to do His will” (John 7:17). God’s grace has appeared to all people (Titus 2:11) bringing or offering them salvation. Sadly for many this grace is futile.
Understanding this biblical view of election has the logical and practical ramifications, leading to great missionary and evangelistic actions. If God arbitrarily chooses some and damns the rest, why should the Christian be bothered with preaching or witnessing? When we know salvation is available to everyone, it stimulates resounding evangelistic and missionary activity.
What is God’s plan for permitting evil?
This is the question asked by Dr Norman Geisler.[5]
“In His infinite wisdom and goodness, God chose the plan that would bring the greatest good.”
“God deemed that the plan resulting in the greatest good would be to permit evil in order to defeat it, without destroying free will in the process.”
“As He is the greatest possible Good, God willed the greatest possible good for free creatures.”
“Furthermore, God used the greatest possible means to attain the greatest possible good.”
God is all-good. How can the Best Being possible do less than what is best to do? It would seem that the perfect Being must perform perfect actions, for less than the best does not measure up to the standards of the Best.[6] |
[1] Christianforums.net, Theology, “Is man not really capable of seeking God?” brightfame52#550. Available at: https://christianforums.net/Fellowship/index.php?threads/is-man-not-really-capable-of-seeking-god.85385/page-28#post-1611696, accessed 4 March 2021.
[2] Ibid., OzSpen #559.
[3] Anderson, “Why Did God Allow the Fall?” The Gospel Coalition, Available at: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/why-did-god-allow-the-fall//, accessed 5 September 2021.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Geisler, Systematic Theology: Sin, Salvation (vol 3). Minneapolis, Minnesota: Bethany House, p. 155.
[6] Ibid.
Copyright © 2021 Spencer D. Gear. This document last updated at Date: 05 September 2021.