Theology of Predestination, Part Five

MUSINGS ON THEOLOGY AND PREDESTINATION, PART FIVE

Continued from Part Four

Two aspects of our salvation cannot be reconciled or comprehended by our finite mind – God’s eternal election and Man’s responsibility.

The Bible teaches that man is born spiritually dead. That is biblical (Eph. 2). Exactly, what does this mean? The text does not explain the meaning of “dead.” Does this mean that he has no living, relationship with God, no spiritual life, no hope of life eternal? Clearly this is taught in the Bible (Romans 3:9-18; Ephesians 4:17-19). Does Ephesians 2 mean that man has no consciousness of God, no sense of right and wrong given by God, no spiritual sensitivities? Clearly this is not true (Romans 2:12-16).

Does the spiritual deadness of mankind mean that man is unable in any way to respond to the gospel until he is regenerated first by God? How do we logically put together this conundrum concerning God’s sovereign election, and mankind’s spiritual deadness with human responsibility to repent and believe the gospel?

Today we speak of the sun rising and setting, not simply because this is traditional but because this is the way it appears to our eyes; even though we know that the earth moves around the sun, not the other way around. In the same manner we may speak of man’s activities which lead to his salvation – indeed, they are commanded in Scripture – even while we understand that behind all of our turning, God is sovereignly working out his eternal purposes.

Ravi Zacharias, the brilliant apologist, makes various comments in his book, “Walking from East to West.” “But my hungers went unfulfilled until I FOUND HIM.” Is this semi-pelagian? Can a man find God or does God find him. He states, “I was very clear in my mind as I left the hospital with my mother that I had MADE A COMMITMENT to Christ. It was the most striking and MOST NOBLE-MINDED DECISION I HAD EVER MADE. My life now belonged to Jesus Christ.” Is the plea for people to “decide” for Christ semi-pelagian? Can those who believe in election and innate spiritual deadness of natural man call invite people to decide for Christ? When Ravi spoke to a hostile crowd, they quieted down and began to listen. “When I gave the invitation at the end, the response was overwhelming – nearly one hundred in that audience of just over two hundred RESPONDED TO THE INVITATION to turn their lives over to Christ.”

Is this unbiblical talk? Not in my book. We speak in human terms – choosing and deciding. At the same time we recognize that only God can bring new life to this person. Let us not become unbalanced by neglecting either the divine work of God in salvation or the human responsibility God has placed in our hands.

A critic of D.L. Moody cornered him, finding fault with Moody in his evangelistic crusades and altar calls. Moody responded, “And what is your method of evangelism?” The critic stuttered and replied that he had no method. “In that case, Moody said, “I like my method better than yours.”

Continued in Part Six