The Sovereignty of God

My Will be doneor

Thy Will be done?

Does God Control All Things?

God : knows everything about everyone is never taken by surprise is in control of all that happens (?) plans / planned all that happens Did not send Jesus as “Plan B” after Adam

sinned is the Author of our salvation. (Not us!)Can we do anything to save ourselves? at times acts in ways we cannot understand knows who will be savedDid Jesus die for all, whether believe on Him or not?

A bit of History Early church – very simple doctrinal

views Errors doctrinal statements Pelagius, (5th C. Briton) : obligation

implies ability – God doesn’t command impossible

Augustine recognised heresy Pelagius condemned by Council of

Carthage : A.D. 412, confirmed A.D. 418

A.D. 431 Eastern Church also censured Pelagians in General Synod at Ephesus

The Problem

Does God cause events or just foreknow them?

What’s the difference? What do we mean by predestination? Are some people destined to be saved /

lost? How much free will does man really

have?

Calvin & Arminius John Calvin (1509-1564) – French

theologian, worked in Geneva to reform Church

Influenced by Augustinian doctrine – famous for teaching on predestination

Jacobus Arminius (Jakob Hermanzoon), 1560-1609; professor at University of Leyden

Arminius: "the grace sufficient for salvation is conferred on the Elect, and on the Non-elect; that, if they will, they may believe or not believe, may be saved or not be saved."

Calvinism & Arminianism

Arminianism1. Sinner, can do

good & respond to God

2. God elects on basis of foreseen faith

3. Christ died for all

4. Man can resist God

5. Believer may lose salvation

Calvinism• Man unable of self

to respond to God• God elects

according to His good pleasure

• Christ died for Elect

• Irresistible election

• Elect can never lose salvation

TULIP – 5 points1. Total Depravity - Original sin means all

human beings are incapable of being good.

2. Unconditional Election - God chooses people on His own grounds. (Predestination)

3. Limited Atonement - Jesus died to redeem only those God chose to save

4. Irresistible Grace - God causes those whom He chooses to accept His grace

5. Perseverance - Once someone has been saved by God, he cannot lose his salvation.

Roses & Lilacs

R=Radical DepravityO=Overcoming GraceS=Sovereign ElectionE=Eternal LifeS=Singular Redemption

L=Limited DepravityI=I Choose ChristL=Limitless AtonementA=Arrestible GraceC=Carnal Security

The Good, Bad & Ugly

Good: Salvation not up to us – God’s doing

Bad: Confused with fatalism & excuse for laziness

Ugly: Often leads to name-calling & fights

God doesn’t play with scales! God sees no-one as righteous apart

from Jesus – all fallen short; all deserve hell!

Objections What about free will & “making a

decision”? God can accomplish whatever He desires

Foreknowledge better than predestination? If God knows, it’s as certain to happen

anyway Human Responsibility versus Election

Cf. both ideas in same chapter – John 6. “It’s not fair!”

Paul’s response in Rom 9:19 -21 – see also Isa. 45:9; Jer. 18:1-12

Additional Thoughts 2 truths of this mystery often side by

side Believe because elected / elected

because believe John 6 shows divine sovereignty in

verses 37, 44, and 65 Human responsibility is emphasised in

verses 29, 35, 40, & 47