God's Sovereignty & Human responsibility

[evangelist6589]

I am reading a JI Packer book called "Evangelism & the Sovereignty of God. Its a very rich book deep in theology of evangelism. I am finding that I agree more than disagree with Packer. Many Calvinists believe in a Limited Atonement (which I do not) however I do hold that Salvation is both of God, and of man in a free will. This baffles many Calvinist who cant figure out how someone can not be Arminean in their Soteriology theology, yet deny Limited Atonement. I have also read other evangelism books by non Calvinists and have liked some points made in these books. However many of them have a overemphasis on methods, evidences (apologetics), bible translations, and other factors. The truth is that God is in control and no need to obsess over methods of evangelism. Sadly many so called church growth "experts" cant figure this one out. So what do you say about this book? Do you deny Limited Atonement and do believe as Packer does on salvation?

John

 

[Winman]

I am reading a JI Packer book called "Evangelism & the Sovereignty of God. Its a very rich book deep in theology of evangelism. I am finding that I agree more than disagree with Packer. Many Calvinists believe in a Limited Atonement (which I do not) however I do hold that Salvation is both of God, and of man in a free will. This baffles many Calvinist who cant figure out how someone can not be Arminean in their Soteriology theology, yet deny Limited Atonement. I have also read other evangelism books by non Calvinists and have liked some points made in these books. However many of them have a overemphasis on methods, evidences (apologetics), bible translations, and other factors. The truth is that God is in control and no need to obsess over methods of evangelism. Sadly many so called church growth "experts" cant figure this one out. So what do you say about this book? Do you deny Limited Atonement and do believe as Packer does on salvation?

John

I deny LA and believe Jesus died for all men.

I believe God can be sovereign and man can have free will at the same time. For instance, the Jews of their own free will attempted to take and kill Jesus several times before he was actually crucified, but Jesus escaped as it was not yet his time. God did not cause these persons to hate Jesus, but he prevented them from taking and killing Jesus until the Passover. God did allow the Jews to crucify Jesus, and they were guilty because their intent was to kill him. At the same time, Jesus went willingly to the cross, the Jews had no power to take or kill Jesus. So God was in complete control while allowing men free will. At the exact appointed time, God allowed the Jews to kill Jesus exercising their free will in rejecting him, but also fulfilled his own decree.

 

[Ruiz]

I am reading a JI Packer book called "Evangelism & the Sovereignty of God. Its a very rich book deep in theology of evangelism. I am finding that I agree more than disagree with Packer. Many Calvinists believe in a Limited Atonement (which I do not) however I do hold that Salvation is both of God, and of man in a free will. This baffles many Calvinist who cant figure out how someone can not be Arminean in their Soteriology theology, yet deny Limited Atonement. I have also read other evangelism books by non Calvinists and have liked some points made in these books. However many of them have a overemphasis on methods, evidences (apologetics), bible translations, and other factors. The truth is that God is in control and no need to obsess over methods of evangelism. Sadly many so called church growth "experts" cant figure this one out. So what do you say about this book? Do you deny Limited Atonement and do believe as Packer does on salvation?

John

I agree with Packer in both Limited Atonement and evangelism.

By the way, everyone limits the atonement. Some limit the atonement's intended extent while others limit the atonement effectually. I prefer the idea of definite atonement, the atonement was going to do what it intended to do. The other side says the atonement was not definite but neither was it as effectual.

 

[JesusFan]

I deny LA and believe Jesus died for all men.

Jesus died to make the atonement on behaldf of ALL those who would call upon his anme and get saved, we call them the elect and chosen of God!

I believe God can be sovereign and man can have free will at the same time. For instance, the Jews of their own free will attempted to take and kill Jesus several times before he was actually crucified, but Jesus escaped as it was not yet his time. God did not cause these persons to hate Jesus, but he prevented them from taking and killing Jesus until the Passover. God did allow the Jews to crucify Jesus, and they were guilty because their intent was to kill him. At the same time, Jesus went willingly to the cross, the Jews had no power to take or kill Jesus. So God was in complete control while allowing men free will. At the exact appointed time, God allowed the Jews to kill Jesus exercising their free will in rejecting him, but also fulfilled his own decree.

God had preordined that Jesus would come and die on the Cross, and he also worked through the use of Men deciding to do as "they willed!"

It was the predetermined will of God that Christ should die......