Paul's Passing Thoughts

One reason the election debate is never-ending follows: there are just as many verses in the Bible that seem to teach predestination as those that teach human choice. However, verses that speak to choice do seem more definitive.

So, if God is not a God of confusion, where are the statements in the Bible that end the argument? The opportunities for Christ and the apostles to end the argument during biblically recorded conversations would number into the hundreds, but they never seize on the opportunity.

For example, “And Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way; your faith has made you well.’ And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.” Technically, Jesus is telling the guy that it is his faith. At the very least, he is allowing the guy to assume it is his faith. Why not say, “Go your way, the faith I have given you has made you well.” Again, this is just one example among hundreds where the biblical authors pass on an opportunity to clarify the issue in no uncertain terms.

Verses that say salvation is impossible with man are often cited as proof texts, but of course, it is impossible for people to regenerate themselves like it was impossible for this guy to heal his own eyes. Of course, only the Spirit can baptize the believer into Christ through the death of the old self and resurrection unto all things being new. That doesn’t mean we can’t be persuaded to exercise our own faith.

Furthermore, it is curious how Peter exhorted the Jews: “With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.'”

How odd that Peter would put so much effort into persuasion if faith is nothing but a gift from God and beyond the ability of mankind. Peter seems to indicate the opposite by exhorting people to save themselves with their own faith. The faith of the individual precedes the supernatural act by God.  Again, Peter passes on saying something like, “You will save yourself from this corrupt generation if God gives you faith.” Statements like that would end the argument, but they are never said.

Here is the point: what is not said specifically is a hermeneutic, especially if it is something supposedly central to salvation and the gospel.

paul