Protestant
Well-Known Member
In this second illustration our well-meaning board member attempts to prove that hearing and learning of the Father is well within the natural ability of all men. His illustration is designed to prove man has the natural ability to come in faith to Christ. However, he says all men do not use that innate ability to their advantage. Other men make better use of their natural ability. Therefore, the doctrine of man’s Total Inability is false.
Example # 2:
“It takes two to tango. Even the best teacher cannot teach someone who is unwilling to learn. The teaching is provided by the Father, but the hearing and learning must be performed by the recipient of that teaching.
Any teacher will tell you students learn differently. The teacher gives the same instructions and lessons to all students. Some pay diligent attention, study and do their homework and learn much, while others goof off in class, refuse to study and do their homework, and fail miserably.”
Refutation:
The Holy Spirit is no ordinary Teacher. He is God Almighty with whom nothing is too difficult. No slacker is too dumb, too stubborn, or too rebellious for Him to teach the doctrine of God. His wisdom is infinite, as is His knowledge perfect no matter the subject.
Those whom are taught of God by the Spirit will come to saving faith, despite their natural spiritual stupidity and slothfulness. For God cannot fail at any of His purposes.
The fishermen Apostles are excellent examples of God’s power to teach. Their schooling paled in comparison to the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes, yet their God-given wisdom caused great wonderment.
John the Baptist knew the power of God to reach and teach even the hardest heart and the most depraved sinner, for he declared:
Peter’s revelation that Jesus was the Christ, Son of the living God was not the result of an extraordinary intellect, godliness or insight, but rather the supernatural revelation which came from God the Father. (Matt. 16:17)
Jesus clearly and emphatically explains how men come to the saving knowledge of the Father and Son:
“All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” (Matt. 11:27)
Unlike human students who vary in their ability to do well in school, all sinful men, without exception, lack the power to receive and believe the Spirit of truth. Flesh cannot receive or believe the things of the Spirit. If they cannot receive the Spirit of truth, then they cannot receive Jesus Christ, who IS the truth. Jesus solemnly declares sinners’ Total Inability:
Conclusion: The well-meaning board member introduces many profound errors through his illustration.
• He denies the necessity of God’s omnipotent power to reach and teach men who are by nature spiritual morons, imbecilic rebellious sinners who could care less about the truth according to the Lord.
• He denies the infallible, effectual work by God’s omnipotent power to reach and teach any spiritual moron, any imbecilic rebellious sinner who could care less about the truth according to the Lord.
• He exalts and glorifies sinful, hate-filled man by teaching it is man who makes the ultimate difference as to who God is able to teach, despite the obvious scriptural truth of 1 Cor. 4:7.
• He exalts and glorifies the will of sinful, hate-filled man who is in bondage to sin and Satan.
• He denies that saving knowledge of God is imparted only by God….and that infallibly so.
• He denies the freedom of God to give or withhold that knowledge as He wills.
Example # 2:
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.” (John 6:45-46)
“It takes two to tango. Even the best teacher cannot teach someone who is unwilling to learn. The teaching is provided by the Father, but the hearing and learning must be performed by the recipient of that teaching.
Any teacher will tell you students learn differently. The teacher gives the same instructions and lessons to all students. Some pay diligent attention, study and do their homework and learn much, while others goof off in class, refuse to study and do their homework, and fail miserably.”
Refutation:
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26)
The Holy Spirit is no ordinary Teacher. He is God Almighty with whom nothing is too difficult. No slacker is too dumb, too stubborn, or too rebellious for Him to teach the doctrine of God. His wisdom is infinite, as is His knowledge perfect no matter the subject.
Those whom are taught of God by the Spirit will come to saving faith, despite their natural spiritual stupidity and slothfulness. For God cannot fail at any of His purposes.
The fishermen Apostles are excellent examples of God’s power to teach. Their schooling paled in comparison to the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes, yet their God-given wisdom caused great wonderment.
“ Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)
John the Baptist knew the power of God to reach and teach even the hardest heart and the most depraved sinner, for he declared:
“And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.” (Matthew 3:9)
Peter’s revelation that Jesus was the Christ, Son of the living God was not the result of an extraordinary intellect, godliness or insight, but rather the supernatural revelation which came from God the Father. (Matt. 16:17)
Jesus clearly and emphatically explains how men come to the saving knowledge of the Father and Son:
“All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.” (Matt. 11:27)
Unlike human students who vary in their ability to do well in school, all sinful men, without exception, lack the power to receive and believe the Spirit of truth. Flesh cannot receive or believe the things of the Spirit. If they cannot receive the Spirit of truth, then they cannot receive Jesus Christ, who IS the truth. Jesus solemnly declares sinners’ Total Inability:
“Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world [i.e., all unregenerate men] cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” (John 14:17)
Conclusion: The well-meaning board member introduces many profound errors through his illustration.
• He denies the necessity of God’s omnipotent power to reach and teach men who are by nature spiritual morons, imbecilic rebellious sinners who could care less about the truth according to the Lord.
• He denies the infallible, effectual work by God’s omnipotent power to reach and teach any spiritual moron, any imbecilic rebellious sinner who could care less about the truth according to the Lord.
• He exalts and glorifies sinful, hate-filled man by teaching it is man who makes the ultimate difference as to who God is able to teach, despite the obvious scriptural truth of 1 Cor. 4:7.
• He exalts and glorifies the will of sinful, hate-filled man who is in bondage to sin and Satan.
• He denies that saving knowledge of God is imparted only by God….and that infallibly so.
• He denies the freedom of God to give or withhold that knowledge as He wills.
