Featured God Might Use Both Monergism and Synergism, a Theory

Thesis

My thesis is that God uses single predestination to choose certain elect individuals from before birth. This is equivalent to the special grace shown to those like Isaac and Jacob. God may also be using double predestination concerning certain individuals who seem destined to perdition from before birth such as Pharaoh, Judas, the Antichrist, and the False Prophet. However, God has made it so that most of His creatures are saved through a resistible Call to faith, a Call to faith that always requires mercy and compassion on God’s part. A Call that originates from God through Nature, Law, or Gospel and must find its resolution in Jesus Christ and the Cross. A Call the vast majority of humanity has rejected. God also hardens people, potentially to damnation, for His own purposes, as in the case of Pharaoh. A hardening that may be removed at a later time in a person or group’s lifetimes, as I will argue happened to the Jews of the apostolic era.

To start presenting this thesis I will reference Romans 9-11, which gave me the idea.

This thread is an invitation to check my bible study. In another thread, in the next few days, I will post a more philosophical critique of both current Calvinist and Arminian doctrine with the intention of finding a third way.

I will establish what is on topic for this thread and ask the moderators to enforce it if need be. This debate is whether my thesis is biblical. Of special importance to this is whether I interpret the text of Romans 9-11 correctly.

Romans 9-11 Bible Study

Romans 9:1-5

9 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. 3 For I could [a]wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, 4 who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, 5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed [c]forever. Amen.

*God through Paul communicates Paul’s grief and sorrow. He could wish to be cut off and sent to hell if it was for the sake of his fellow Israelites.

*Paul explains the many blessings God has given the Israelites, a chosen nation in which Christ was incarnated as one of their own.

*Note how the end of verse 5 exalts Christ amidst such grief and sorrow.

*Before continuing, it is important to state that the rest of Romans 9 is the most offensive section of scripture to modern mankind.

Romans 9:6-16

6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s [d]descendants, but: “[e]through Isaac your [f]descendants will be named.” 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as [g]descendants. 9 For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11 for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would [h]stand, not because of works but [j]because of Him who calls, 12 it was said to her, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 Just as it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

14 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.

*God has sovereign choice to choose whom He wants for blessing. He can have compassion and mercy on whom He wants from before birth, as shown in Jacob and Esau with God’s choice of Jacob over Esau, the older brother. This was to show that God’s choice of people to blessing is irrespective of their deeds. The goodness of this reality for a God of innocent character is independent of the constructs for good and evil found among mankind. This is not capricious but an aspect of God's character.

*Notice how the true Israel are children of the promise like Isaac as opposed to Abraham’s other son, Ishmael. Being born a descendant of Abraham by flesh does not make one a child of promise, but instead the true Israel is made up of children of promise Called by God irrespective of deeds.

*Thus the mercy of God does not depend on an act of the will or any strength in individuals.

Romans 9:17-21

17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed [k]throughout the whole earth.” 18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.

19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” 20 On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? 21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel [l]for honorable use and another [m]for common use?

*This section reveals that God has sovereign choice to choose whom He wants for wrath. When mankind retorts that is unfair, God responds by saying does not a potter have a right to make the clay as he desires? That rankles our sense of justice. However, it is still within the character of an almighty and innocent God. Just as God chose Pharaoh for wrath in the Old Testament by hardening him and raising him up as Pharaoh, God has the ability to withhold compassion and mercy to whomever He wants from their creation.

Romans 9:22-29

22 [n]What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? 23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles. 25 As He says also in Hosea,

“I will call those who were not My people, ‘My people,’

And her who was not beloved, ‘beloved.’”

26 “And it shall be that in the place where it was said to them, ‘you are not My people,’

There they shall be called sons of the living God.”

27 Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “Though the number of the sons of Israel be like the sand of the sea, it is the remnant that will be saved; 28 for the Lord will execute His word on the earth, [o]thoroughly and [p]quickly.” 29 And just as Isaiah foretold,

“Unless the Lord of [q]Sabaoth had left to us a [r]posterity,

We would have become like Sodom, and would have resembled Gomorrah.”

*This section is the fusion of the two previous concepts that God from creation can will that some be designated for mercy and compassion while others are designated for wrath. There is good in this that God can make His almighty power known by making some people to be objects of wrath from creation. People destined for hell. While others are to be made at their creation to be vessels of mercy to reveal the riches of His glory upon them. It is not beyond God's character or power to do these things, otherwise scripture would not say it is so with such frankness. Thus, God can make children of wrath and children of mercy, humans do not get a vote, no matter how “unfair” that seems.

*God through Paul compares the children of mercy to those Paul writes to both Jew and Gentile, including Paul himself. God foreknew this matter. Hosea shows that those who are not God’s people or beloved will be called His sons, His people, and His beloved. Isaiah shows that though Israel seem numerous, it was the remnant that would survive. That God, unless He had chosen a seed, then Israel would have been like Sodom and Gomorrah.

Romans 9:30-33

30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is [t]by faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were [v]by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 just as it is written,

“Behold, I lay in Zion a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense,

And he who believes in Him will not be [w]disappointed.”

*This section shows that the Gentiles have attained righteousness not by pursuing the Law but by faith. Meanwhile the Jews of Paul’s day pursued a law of righteousness through their works, and did not attain to that law of righteousness. The Jews of Paul’s day stumbled over the stumbling stone that is Jesus Christ.

 

Romans 10:1-4

Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the [a]end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live [c]by that righteousness.

*In verse 1 God through Paul expresses Paul’s heart’s desire and his prayers are for the salvation of his people, the Jews by flesh.

*In verse 2 through 4 it is shown that the Jews are full of zeal for God but this zeal is not in accordance with knowledge. They do not know about God’s righteousness and are trying to establish their own righteousness before God. They did not subject themselves to God’s righteousness found in Jesus Christ, the end of the Law, and righteousness to all that believe on Him.

*Verse 5 shows that to be righteous under the Law requires adherence to it to be righteous. As Paul explained in Romans 3:9-20, all are transgressors of the Law and sinners.

6 But the righteousness [d]based on faith speaks as follows: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 [e]that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, [f]resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, [g]resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be [h]disappointed.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

*The righteousness based on faith is like the Law Moses communicates in Deuteronomy. In Deuteronomy 30:10-14 Moses says that the Law of God is very near to the Israelites he is talking to, the Law is in their mouths and in their hearts instead of in heaven or beyond the sea. Thus, God through Paul compares this to Paul’s day. The righteousness based on faith does not require the power to incarnate Christ, nor does it require the power to descend into death to resurrect Christ. Instead, the Word of God is in their mouths and heart through the faith preached by the apostles.

*This faith preached by the apostles is that if you confess that Jesus is Lord, Messiah and Yahweh in whom the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form (Colossians 2:9), and believe in your heart that Jesus rose from the dead, with knowledge of His life, including the knowledge He died on the Cross to save us from our sins, you will be saved. For the heart has faith in Jesus Christ resulting in righteousness, and the mouth confesses Jesus Christ is Lord showing living faith.

*Notice that more knowledge about the Gospel than presented in Romans 10:9 is assumed, a given that would be natural for those personally taught the whole Gospel of the Kingdom taught by the apostles over days or weeks or months.

*Verse 11 through 12 shows that those who believe in Jesus Christ with the heart will not be disappointed. Being a Jew or Gentile does not matter for Jesus is Lord of all, Who gives riches to all those that confess Him with their mouth.

14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”

16 However, they did not all heed the [j]good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word [k]of Christ.

18 But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have;

“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,

And their words to the ends of the [l]world.”

19 But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? First Moses says,

“I will make you jealous by that which is not a nation,

By a nation without understanding will I anger you.”

20 And Isaiah is very bold and says,

“I was found by those who did not seek Me,

I became manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”

21 But as for Israel He says, “All the day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

*Verse 14-15 shows that believers must be sent so that they can preach the Gospel so that people can hear it so that they can believe in Jesus Christ. These sent believers are bearers of good news of good things. The “they” is likely still Israel, which is the common topic of Romans 9-11, but in this case the statement can be both universal and situational.

*Verse 16 shows that not all heed the Gospel preached to them. This is just as Isaiah predicted of the suffering servant, by the context of Isaiah 52:13-15:12, especially Isaiah 53:1. Again, the “they” is likely Israel, but an be both universal and situational.

*Verse 17 is a universal statement that Christ must be preached for people to put faith in Him.

*Verse 18 is difficult. The world here as given by the bible verse taken from Psalm 19:4 in context of Psalm 19 is clearly the whole face of the planet earth. However, this is not true for not every nation has heard the Word in Paul’s day. If contextualized the “world” may refer to the Roman World, or to the parts of the world in which the Jews lived. Nevertheless, verse 18 asks and answers a question relating to Israel, the “they.” The answer to this question is that all Israelites all over the world, have heard the Gospel, depending on the definition of “the world.”

*The word for “know” in verse 19 is in the Mounce Interlinear translated “understand.” Verse 19 indicates Israel is the “they” being used. The question is asked of Israel, did they understand what was going on? The answer is yes. The Gentiles believing in the Jewish Messiah is angering and making Jews jealous. Verse 20 goes on to show that God is making Himself found by Gentiles, who never sought Him. God is making Himself manifest to the Gentiles, who did not ask for Him. As for Israel in comparison, God has long stretched out His hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.
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Romans 11:1-6
I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, [a]a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew.

Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” 4 But what [b]is the divine response to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s [c]gracious choice. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer [d]on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.

*In verses 1 and 2, talking of Israel, as was the topic of Romans 10, God through Paul states that He has not rejected His people Israel, whom God foreknew. Evidence for this is that Paul himself is a Jew and a saved believer in Jesus Christ.

*To explain this in greater detail, God through Paul states that just as in the days of Elijah the prophet, God has graciously chosen a remnant to survive. In Elijah’s day it was 7,000 men who had not worshipped Baal. God in grace chose that remnant irrespective of works, and in Paul’s day that was happening again.

 

Romans 11:7-10
7 What then? What Israel is seeking, it has not obtained, but [e]those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; 8 just as it is written,

“God gave them a spirit of stupor,

Eyes to see not and ears to hear not,

Down to this very day.”

9 And David says,

“Let their table become a snare and a trap,

And a stumbling block and a retribution to them.

10

“Let their eyes be darkened to see not,

And bend their backs forever.”

*Verse 7 shows that, as said earlier, Israel by the flesh sought righteousness by the Law, and they have not obtained righteousness. This is not just the willing of the Israelites but in fact God hardened them to do this, and those God graciously chose obtained righteousness by faith instead (This is likely referring to the elect Jews of the previous verses). Paul then shows how this was predicted in scripture.

Romans 11:11-15
11 I say then, they did not stumble so as to fall, did they? May it never be! But by their transgression salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous. 12 Now if their transgression is riches for the world and their failure is riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their [f]fulfillment be! 13 But I am speaking to you who are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if somehow I might move to jealousy my [g]fellow countrymen and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

*Verse 11 may seem like a contradiction to what has come before it, but it is not. God through Paul clearly states that Israel by the flesh, who were hardened, were not made to stumble so as to perish. Instead, by their transgressions while hardened, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel by the flesh jealous of what the Gentiles received.

*Verse 12 continues to state that by the transgressions of hardened Israel riches have gone to the world, and by the failure of hardened Israel riches have gone to the Gentiles. Now if by these transgressions and failures, the world and Gentiles have become rich, then how much more will the obedience of Israel in the flesh result in riches. This thought is also seen in verse 15. If Israel by the flesh’s rejection by God is the reconciliation of the world, then what will their acceptance by God be but life from the dead.

*The word for “I magnify” in verse 13 is rendered “I take pride in” for the Mounce Interlinear.
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*Paul in verse 13 and 14 states that he is talking to Gentiles in this letter. Yet, as an apostle to the Gentiles, Paul takes pride in his ministry, so that he may move to jealousy his fellow Israelites by flesh, who were hardened, so as to save some of them. Thus, Paul’s ministry and his prayers as stated in Romans 10:1 are geared for the salvation of hardened Israel, rejected by God’s choice.

Romans 11:16-24
16 If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too.

17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the [h]rich root of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 Quite right, they were broken off for their unbelief, but you stand by your faith. Do not be conceited, but fear; 21 for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you, either. 22 Behold then the kindness and severity of God; to those who fell, severity, but to you, God’s kindness, if you continue in His kindness; otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut off from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these who are the natural branches be grafted into their own olive tree?

*God through Paul continues in verse 16 with two analogies to show the reasoning of the last section. If the Israelites elected by God by His choice are holy, then any added to their first lump of dough or their root will be holy too. But if some branches of this root were broken off (the hardened Israelites), and the branches of a wild olive tree were grafted in instead (the Gentiles), then the Gentiles Paul writes to are not to be arrogant towards those branches taken off the olive tree (the hardened Israelites).

*In the second half of verse 18 and verses 19-21 it is stated that if the Gentiles Paul writes to are arrogant, then they must remember that they are supported by the root of chosen Israelites. The Gentiles Paul writes to may say “Branches were broken off (Israelites were hardened) so that I might be grafted in (saved).” Paul says this is quite right because the hardened Jews were broken off for their lack of faith (a lack of faith due to God’s hardening) and the Gentiles stand by their faith. However, Paul’s audience is not to be conceited but to fear. For, if God did not spare His people Israel according to the flesh, He will not spare faithless Gentiles either.

*Verse 22 tells us we behold the kindness and severity of God. Severity to those hardened Israelites, kindness to Gentiles, if the Gentiles continue in their faith.

*Verse 23 makes more sense of this mystery. If the Israelites do not continue in unbelief towards Jesus Christ, they will be grafted in again, because God can do so. If wild olive tree branches (Gentiles) can be grafted in against nature, then how easy it is to graft natural branches (hardened Israel) into the chosen Isralites.

Romans 11:25-32
25 For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; 26 and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,

“The Deliverer will come from Zion,

He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.”

27 “This is My covenant with them,

When I take away their sins.”

28 [j]From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but [k]from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; 29 for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, 31 so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. 32 For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.

*Verse 25 tells Paul’s Gentile audience that they are not to be uninformed of this mystery God through Paul has revealed. The reason for the revelation of this mystery is given, so that the Gentiles are not wise in their own estimation. The mystery is then given. A partial hardening of the people Israel has happened by God’s choice until the fullness (The Interlinear says “full number”) of the Gentiles has come in.

*Verses 26-27 are difficult and continue the mystery Paul is explaining. The word “saved” in verse 26 is actually translated “rescued from unbelief.”
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*”All Israel will be saved (or rescued from unbelief)” may talk of the true Israel identified in Romans 9. Another interpretation may very well be warranted, which means the text remains difficult to understand. Regardless, scripture is clear before and beyond this point.

*In verse 29 the word for “calling” is actually translated “the call or invitation to the privileges of the Gospel.”
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*The hardened Israelites, for the sake of the Gentiles, are enemies of the Gospel, but they are beloved for their ancestors according to the flesh for God’s invitation to the Gospel is final.

*For just as the Gentiles were disobedient to God, having been shown mercy by hardened Israel’s disobedience, so that those who are disobedient (hardened Israel), due to the mercy shown the Gentiles, may make it possible for some hardened Israelites to be shown mercy through a Call that may be answered.

*Verse 32 states that all (likely referring to hardened Israel, but a universal declaration is a possible translation) are shut up in disobedience so that God may give mercy to them all.

Romans 11:33-36
33 Oh, the depth of the riches [l]both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? 35 Or who has first given to Him [m]that it might be paid back to him again? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory [n]forever. Amen.

*God through Paul breaks into a liturgical formula praising God, a doxology. The depth of God’s wisdom and knowledge hold great riches. His judgments and ways are unsearchable and unfathomable. No one has a mind like Yahweh, and no one is His counselor. No one has ever given Yahweh something that He must pay them back for, because from Him, through Him, and to Him are all things (could also be things and people since it is the Greek word Pas). To Yahweh be the fame (or glory) forever, Amen.
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I get you. Very interesting points. Romans 11 shows God hardened Israel of Jesus' time. However, it makes clear the hardening is removed so that the Call of the Gospel could be efficacious.

I could be reading too much into God making people for wrath. For that would require sin on the part of the vessel and God does not author sin. I logically contradicted myself with double predestination.