 |
|
|||
|
Friday Night Apologetics 6/15/2007 Calvinism Part 2 Audio Study Is Total Depravity true or false? Does Regeneration Precede Faith or Belief in Jesus?
Check out our Friday Night Apologetics blog to share your comments and questions at www.afcministry.blogspot.com
Welcome to another Friday Night Apologetics weekly live study where we are currently examining the topic of Calvinism. This is our part 2 in which we discussed John 3 in connection to what it means to become born again, and asking the question if regeneration precedes faith in Jesus Christ? Last week our study was examining John 1:12-13 and if you have not checked that out you should.
This weeks discussion focused mostly on John 3:1-16 and we had lots chatting in text and on the microphones, that being many Calvinists and non-Calvinists. Overall I believe we had some very good discussions in the room from various points of view. The whole point I hope people get out of this study is the fact that John 3 is not about one verse, but is a unit of Scriptures pointing out many important truths. Many within the Calvinism (also known as reformed theology) belief teach regeneration precedes faith in Jesus Christ and use John 3 to prove it. I believe that if one is Scripturally honest they would not believe the traditions that have been passed on to us from the past and would allow the consistent truth of God's Word speak, and would see that John 3 teaches that people can seek spiritual things of God and that God's love is for mankind to be saved. However, God's love only benefits those who put their trust in Jesus Christ for their eternal life, and those who don't will die in their sins.
"1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born, can he?" 5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 "Do not be amazed that I said to you, `You must be born again.' 8 "The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." 9 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can these things be?" 10 Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things? 11 "Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and testify of what we have seen, and you do not accept our testimony. 12 "If I told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 "No one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven: the Son of Man. 14 "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; 15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. 16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3 NASB)
John Calvin: "What can a dead man do to obtain life? But when he enlightens us with the knowledge of himself, he is said to raise us from the dead, and make us new creatures." (Institutes of Christian Religion, Book 3, Chapter 14, Section 5) This means in simple terms that unless a person is regenerated, born again, they being dead spiritually cannot in any way choose to follow God. Thus regeneration must precede faith according to Calvinism, reformed theology.
Total Inability: "Therefore, all people are conceived in sin and are born children of wrath, unfit for any saving good, inclined to evil, dead in their sins, and slaves to sin; without the grace of the regenerating Holy Spirit they are neither willing nor able to return to God, to reform their distorted nature, or even to dispose themselves to such reform." (Canons of Dordt, III & IV, Article 3) Canons of Dordt are official statements on what Calvinism teaches, this quote is concerning "total inability." This statement indicates that a person cannot be willing to choose God unless the Holy Spirit regenerates them. The Canons of Dordt explains what Calvinism is, and is in agreement with what John Calvin taught on "total inability."
In this study discussion I quoted James White from the Alpha and Omega Ministries letter to Dave Hunt concerning John 3:16, and I played a few clips from James White's Sunday School session from Common Attacks Against Reformed Theology concerning John 3:16 which can be found at http://www.prbc.org/Sermons2.htm This is in no way a personal attack on him but an objection to what Calvinism teaches in regards to Total Depravity and those who teach that God's love is not for anyone to be saved or receive eternal life but is only for those whom God has selectively picked out to be saved. Just so it is known, I have commented on what James White has said concerning John 3 from his letter to Dave Hunt because James White does not have an article directly on John 3:16, not because I am wishing to defend Dave Hunt.
James White quote: Jesus harkens back to the incident in the wilderness (Numbers 21:5ff) where the Lord provided a means of healing to the people of Israel. It goes without saying that the serpent was 1) not something the people would have chosen (given that their affliction was being brought on through serpents); 2) only a means of deliverance for a limited population (i.e., the Jews, not for any outside that community); and 3) was limited in its efficaciousness to those who a) were bitten, b) knew it and recognized it, and c) in faith looked upon the means God had provided for healing. This historical event in the history of Israel (one that would be well known to Nicodemus) is made the type that points, if only as a shadow, to the greater fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Son of Man was lifted up (on the cross) as God’s means of redemption. Faith is expressed by looking in obedience on the God-given means of salvation.
The problem with what James White has stated is simply that the story of Moses illustrates the fact that those during that time of judgment had the possibility of being saved based upon "their" looking to the bronze serpent. Jesus likened the same type of way for those whom He came to die for, the world (mankind in general), and all those who would look (trust in, have faith in, turn to, etc) to Jesus would be saved and receive eternal life. This is so simple a child can understand what is clearly being stated. In Numbers 21:5-9 the story only revolves around those who were being bitten even as James White pointed out, but the fact is all of them there could of been delivered, and they were seeking to be saved before their deliverance! In the same way Jesus points to whosoever can receive eternal life by believing in Him. John 3:15 states, "so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life" (NASB), and within the context of these verses the point is that Jesus in no way restricts this offer of eternal life from anyone. Now I nor do most of those who do not hold to reformed theology believe that John 3:16 teaches universal salvation, (however there are those who do hold to universal salvation but they are in serious error!) but that eternal life is available for anyone in general whether being Jews or Gentiles. This would of been something different for Nicodemus since many Jewish people believed salvation was only for the Jews but Jesus did not come only for the Jews but also for the Gentiles, namely the world. So just as those who were there during the time of Moses could of looked to the bronze serpent to be saved (made possible by God) so to the world has the responsibility and choice to accept or reject the gospel message concerning Jesus Christ.
James White quote: The phrase “whoever believes” in verse 15 is hina pas ho pisteuwn, which is directly parallel to the same phrase in verse 16 [in fact, the parallel of the first part of the phrase led, in later manuscripts, and in fact in the Majority Text type, to the harmonization of verse 15 with 16, resulting in the expansion of the original. The NASB, however, reflects the more accurate textual reading, “so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life” or “so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life.”]. The English term “whoever” is meant to communicate “all without distinction in a particular group,” specifically, “those who believe.” Pas means “all” and ho pisteuwn is “the one(s) believing,” hence, “every one believing,” leading to “whoever believes.” It should be remembered that there is no specific word for “whoever” in the Greek text: this comes from the joining of “all” with “the one believing,” i.e., “every one believing.” The point is that all the ones believing have eternal life. There is no such thing as a believing person who will not receive the promised benefit, hence, “whosoever.”
Lets first make the obvious comments. James White said, There is no such thing as a believing person who will not receive the promised benefit, hence, "whosoever.", and I would fully concur! All those who have come to know Jesus Christ have eternal life and do not lose it based upon the Word of God! Now I recognize James White being a scholar in regards to the Greek language and will not attempt to make myself a Greek scholar in comparison to him. However I can still comment on "hina pas ho pisteuwn" in regards to verse 15. I would state that even if the correct rendering is "every one believing" or "the believing one" that in no way proves that people don't have a choice to make. As James White has said many times on his show and in his various writings that context is the key of how we interpret what words mean. The clear consistent context of John 3:1-18 is that God loves mankind, has given mankind a way of salvation, and that anyone can accept or reject this message. So the whosoever or the believing one still can be anyone in general and that person will receive promise of eternal life.
James White said, The English term "whoever" is meant to communicate "all without distinction in a particular group, " specifically, "those who believe.". I just want to make one simple observation here to what James has said. James White said "all without distinction in a particular group", well if only those whom God has predetermined to be saved will believe then this is a particular group! So James White is obviously not being consistent with his own thoughts. Again that is a problem within Calvinism because the belief is that only those who God has predetermined be saved will respond to Jesus Christ thus the message is not truly for anyone in general but only for a particular group. Calvinists will say we all deserve hell and judgment, and Scripturally that is true. However, the love of God is that Jesus came to give His life so that the world might be saved, thus we have to respond. That will be our next discussion!
Jesus teaches Nicodemus two points concerning being born again. First, Jesus teaches that a person cannot "see the kingdom of God" without being born again. The word "see" also means "to understand, to perceive, to experience, to participate." Jesus teaches that unless someone is spiritually born again they cannot understand or experience the kingdom of God. A. T. Robertson has stated: "He cannot see the kingdom of God (ou dunatai idein thn basileian tou qeou). To participate in it as in Luke 9:27." (A. T. Robertson, Robertson's Word Pictures of the New Testament, John 3:3) In Luke 9:27 Jesus said, "But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:27 NASB) These people were going to see the kingdom of God meaning experience, thus to participate in. Calvinist's do not interpret John 3:3 correctly within the context of John 3. If a person is not born again they will be led astray by the ways of the world and the ways of the demonic influence. Secondly, Jesus teaches that a person "cannot enter into the kingdom of God" without being born again. The word "enter" is addressing going to the very presence of God. Therefore, anyone who has not been born again cannot go into God's presence. (Referring to the heavenly realm)
Jesus in explaining to Nicodemus spoke in simple terms so he could understand better how to be born again and the consequences of this decision.
There are 7 things in these passages that are important to see. First, it was God who loved the world (mankind) so that people could be saved. Second, God (The Father) gave mankind His Son (Jesus) as a sacrifice. This was the mission of Jesus according to the Scriptures and this was accomplished through His death and resurrection. Third, this sacrifice is for anyone to be saved and receive eternal life. Many people think that God does not love them, but God demonstrated His love for us. Paul said, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8) Fourth, "God did not send His Son into the world to judge it." Many people do not realize that God is for them and wants people to be saved. God does not want people to be damned and to be sent to hell. (Eternal separation) Fifth, Jesus came so "that the world might be saved." Jesus came with a mission to save people, but no one is saved by force. Both in the Old Testament and the New Testament it is clear that God wants people to accept Him and follow Him. God gives people the choice to either receive Him or reject Him. God has revealed to mankind His Divine nature through creation, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit speaking through men and women, through angels, through the Scriptures, and through Jesus Christ. Sixth, "He who believes in Him is not judged." The requirement for eternal life is believing in Jesus Christ as the One sent from the Father. What does it mean to believe in Jesus? To believe in Jesus means you accept not only what Jesus taught but also what He claimed about Himself. Jesus claimed to be, "The Son of God, The Son of Man, the Messiah, The Light, The Resurrection and Life, The Bread of Life, The Eternal One, The Lord of the Sabbath, The Good Shepherd, The Door, The Vine, The Lord, Equal with the Father, God, Our Judge, Origin of all creation." There are people who say they believe in Jesus but the Jesus they believe in is not the Jesus of the Bible. To have the wrong Jesus is wrong enough to be eternally separated from God. Seventh, "he who does not believe has been judged already." All mankind is born with sin and it is only through the spiritual birth that this can be cleansed, and it is through the Gospel that people are set free and saved.
The Canons of Dordt teaching on "Total Inability" is in error because it states that a person must be regenerated by the Holy Spirit first to come to God. This means they must first be born again and then they can choose God or have faith in Christ to be saved. Nowhere in Scripture does it say we have to be first born again or regenerated first in order to be able to believe in Christ or choose God. We are told in Scripture time after time that we have to make a decision based upon us, not based upon God deciding for us. For example in John 3 where Jesus is speaking of being born again Jesus states 3 times in verses 15-18 that a person must believe in the Son of God in order to receive eternal life. Jesus says if a person does not believe in Him they will perish (meaning to die in their sins) and will be judged. "15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. 16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:15-18) There are some important keys to seeing this correctly. Jesus says "whoever" believes in Him will have eternal life, Calvinism teaches that the "whoever" is those whom God has predestined to be saved. The clear context here is that the "whoever" is anyone, not some elite group. Jesus states that God loved the "world", who is the world? Calvinism teaches the world is the ones whom God has predestined to be saved. The clear context is that the "world" is all mankind. Jesus said in verse 18 that the reason the ones who will be judged or condemned is because they "did not believe in the name of the only Son of God", not that God predestined them to eternal damnation. Not only did Jesus teach that He came not to judge the world but to save it, but that it was for anyone to be saved from their sins.
|
||||
|
||||