Saturday, April 19, 2008

No Praise for Predestination

My wife recently said something that got my attention...

She noted that the Biblical doctrine of Predestination doesn't often invoke praise from the mouths of modern churchmen. Instead of embracing this truth and giving God praise for their unconditional election unto Salvation, the modern Christian will question God's goodness or even worse. I've even read a where a few very misguided individuals have even blasphemed their Creator by saying that such a doctrine, if correct, would make God "worse than the devil."

Thankfully, Paul takes no such view of God's sovereignty in election:

3. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4. even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5. he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6. to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. (Eph 1:3-6 ESV) italics added


In light of the inspired writing of Paul, the Calvinist can affirm that God's sovereignty in salvation is a glorious doctrine. Indeed, I wouldn't even be a Christian were it not for God's sovereign Grace! Were it not for God first choosing me, I would've remained steadfast in my sinful obstinacy! I cannot boast in anything whatsoever because I did nothing to merit God's favor.

The truth is, no sinner who's ever came to Christ has done so unless God set His affection upon him/her before the foundation of the world. None of us can boast in any part of our salvation in light of this doctrine. And perhaps that's why so many refuse to praise God for predestination.

No comments: