Predestination and Free Will Romans 9

Predestination: Fatalism The Fates

Double Predestination Calvin: “God is said to have ordained from eternity those whom he wills to embrace in love, and those upon whom he wills to vent his wrath.” - Institutes

Double Predestination: Romans 9 9:6-7 Isaac Was Elected 9:8-11 Jacob Was Elected – –v.8-11 Before He Was Born – –v By God’s sovereign will, not Jacob’s personal merit. 9:14-16 Moses was Elected. – –v.14b-15 His election was undeserved. – –v.16 Not by Moses’ choice. 9:17-18 Pharaoh was Elected (to Hell). 9:19 Objections? – –v Don’t question God!

Calvinism: a Summary The Argument: –God has the right to predestine. –God is sovereign. –There is nothing immoral or wrong about it. The Problem: –Not philosophical. –It is, however, an incorrect interpretation of Romans 9. “The Bible is basically clear and lucid. It is simple enough for any literate person to understand its basic message. This is not to say that all parts of the Bible are equally clear or that there are no difficult passages or sections to be found in it. Laymen unskilled in the ancient languages and the fine points of exegesis may have difficulty with parts of scripture, but the essential content is clear enough to be understood easily.” [R. C. Sproul, Knowing Scripture (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1977), p 15.]

Attempt #2: Romans 9 9:1-5 Context-Discussing Nation Israel – –v.4-5 Weighs heavily on Paul’s heart. – –Christianity is true Judaism: the fulfillment of the Old Testament. – –Why do Jews reject it? Did God make a mistake choosing them? Did He choose the right people?

Attempt #2: Romans 9 9:1-5 Context-Discussing Nation Israel 9:6-7 Israel Was God’s Strategic Choice. – –An Historical Mission: Scriptures, Temple, Messiah, etc. – –As such, they fulfilled God’s mission, and God did not make a mistake.

Attempt #2: Romans 9 9:1-5 Context-Discussing Nation Israel 9:6-7 Israel Was God’s Strategic Choice. 9:8-18 Israel Chosen By God’s Grace. – –v.8-10 Not all Abraham’s children were “chosen”. – –v By God’s Sovereign Election – –v Nations were chosen (see Mal.1:2-4) v.13 “Hate” is an idiom (see Lk.14:26) – –v By a criteria of GRACE. v.16 God makes strategic choices by grace. v.16 Chosen (“It”) for strategic election (of Nations). – –v Pharaoh was chosen, too! His choice was strengthened (Chazaz). "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure'; – Isaiah 46:9-10 (NASB-U) “Use your shepherd's staff—hold it out over the water, and a path will open up before you through the sea. Then all the people of Israel will walk through on dry ground. “Yet I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will follow the Israelites into the sea. Then I will receive great glory at the expense of Pharaoh and his armies, chariots, and charioteers.” – Exodus 14:16-17 (NLT)

Attempt #2: Romans 9 9:1-5 Context-Discussing Nation Israel 9:6-7 Israel Was God’s Strategic Choice. 9:8-18 Israel Chosen By God’s Grace. 9:12-22 Israel’s Election is not Guaranteed. – –9:23-24 God is now fulfilling the Abrahamic Covenant regarding the Gentiles (Gen.12:3b). – –He is raising up a Spiritual Israel. “O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand. If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed,but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. “And if I announce that I will build up and plant a certain nation or kingdom, making it strong and great, but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless that nation as I had said I would.” – Jeremiah 18:6-10 (NLT)

Outline of Romans Romans 1-3: the Lostness of Humanity. Romans 3-5: Met By the Grace of God. Romans 6-8: Means Radical Change. Romans 9-11: Is the Fulfillment of God’s Plan.in Human History. Romans 12-16: What it Means to You.

Romans 9: God’s Plan in History Do you want to be a part of it? For Christians: Grace is Grace! [37] "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. Matthew 23:37 (NASB-U) But those who fail to develop these virtues are blind or, at least, very shortsighted. They have already forgotten that God has cleansed them from their old life of sin. 2 Peter 1:9 (NLT)