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The Sovereignty of God

The Sovereignty of God. My Will be done or Thy Will be done?. Does God Control All Things?. A bit of History. Early church – very simple doctrinal views Errors  doctrinal statements Pelagius, (5 th C. Briton) : obligation implies ability – God doesn’t command impossible

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The Sovereignty of God

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  1. The Sovereignty of God My Will be doneorThy Will be done?

  2. Does God Control All Things?

  3. A bit of History • Early church – very simple doctrinal views • Errors  doctrinal statements • Pelagius, (5thC. 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 Pelagiansin General Synod at Ephesus

  4. 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?

  5. 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 (JakobHermanzoon), 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."

  6. Calvinism & Arminianism Arminianism Sinner, can do good & respond to God God elects on basis of foreseen faith Christ died for all Man can resist God 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

  7. TULIP – 5 points Total Depravity - Original sin means all human beings are incapable of being good. Unconditional Election - God chooses people on His own grounds. (Predestination) Limited Atonement - Jesus died to redeem only those God chose to save Irresistible Grace - God causes those whom He chooses to accept His grace Perseverance - Once someone has been saved by God, he cannot lose his salvation.

  8. Roses & Lilacs R=Radical Depravity O=Overcoming Grace S=Sovereign Election E=Eternal Life S=Singular Redemption L=Limited Depravity I=I Choose Christ L=Limitless Atonement A=Arrestible Grace C=Carnal Security

  9. 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!

  10. 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

  11. 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

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