Would God hold us accountable for something that He has not given us the ability to do?
The people of Israel might have wondered as much when they heard Moses say, in his farewell address, “The LORD has not given you a heart to perceive and eyes to see and ears to hear” (Deut 29:4 NKJ).
These had to be hard words to hear especially since Moses was warning about what would happen if they did not keep their part of the covenant God had made with them (Deut 28:1-68). How could they avoid such trouble if God was withholding what they needed to please Him?
Part of the answer seems to be found in the next chapter. Moses goes on to foresee a day when God will give his people a heart of understanding, after they acknowledge their wrongs and return to him. (Deut 30:1-6).
This text indicates that only when Israel finally comes to their senses will God give them new hearts. Yet the New Testament later tells us that even repentance is a gift of God (2Tim 2:25). So if God foreknows that Israel is eventually going to return to Him for a new heart, by whose choice will that happen?
On this point theologians disagree. Calvinists say that fallen humans are dead in sin and cannot not ask God to save them unless God causes them to do so. Arminians say that even though fallen humans are separated from God by sin and spiritual death, they still have enough residual conscience and capacity for choice to ask God for mercy.
Both sides find support for their conclusions in the Bible. Calvinists point to statements that say God calls to Himself those who He, on the basis of His own will, graciously chooses for salvation (Ephesians 1:4-5). Arminians counter with texts that say God calls everyone to personally receive the good news of what Christ has done for us (Revelation 22:17).
Both sides see a relationship between God’s foreknowledge and election (Romans 8:29-30; 1Peter 1:2). They part ways, however, over what the Bible means by foreknowledge. To one degree or another, Calvinists link what God foreknows to what He predetermines. Arminians are more likely to say that God sees what will happen and gives humans freedom of choice in responding to His call.
Ever since the days of John Calvin (1509-1564) and Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609), many have regarded this ongoing theological debate as a defining issue in understanding the glory and goodness of God.
On the positive side, the provocative nature of this issue has prompted many to carefully study the Scriptures in an attempt to understand which side is right.
Along the way, however, there have been casualties. More than a few have gotten caught in the cross-fire between well-meaning people who have considered the other side heretics and enemies.
Others, quite unintentionally, have put their trust in human assumptions and reason in an attempt to resolve the mystery of a Bible that emphasizes both Divine foreknowledge and human responsibility.
The result of such theological speculation has been costly for people on both sides. By pressing the logic of either sovereign election or human free will, many, on both sides, have ended up without the assurance of their own salvation. Emphasizing either God’s sovereign election or human choice rather than what the Bible says about both has caused countless people to wonder whether they have seen enough change in themselves to consider their election sure.
Does this mean that it’s better not even to explore what the Scripture says about God’s election and the human will? No. What it means is that, when we begin to say more or less than the Scriptures say, we need to stay in touch with what is foundational to our relationship with God and one another.
Faith—We need to remember that there is authority in no more and no less than what God has revealed about his sovereign grace, and the choices for which he holds us accountable (1Cor 4:6).
Hope—Unless we rest in the good news of what Christ did for us, we will never find the assurance of our salvation by emphasizing either God’s sovereign election or our responsibility to choose.
Love—Without the love of God for those who disagree with us, all of the theology and logic in the world is the kind of noise that will push ourselves and others away from Christ rather than toward him.
In addition, it’s important for us to remember that, down through history, when either Calvinists or Armenians have put their faith in what Christ has done for us—rather than in what we have done for Him, they have found reason to be eternally grateful for a salvation that none of us deserves.
So, in spite of our differences, both Calvinists and Arminians can pray,
Father in heaven, please give us a heart to accept as much understanding as you want us to have, enough humility to acknowledge what you alone understand, and enough love to respect the brothers and sisters who have come to different conclusions than we have… about why we owe You our grateful love and worship—forever.