NOBTS professor detects Calvinistic tilt in study notes of LifeWay’s new Bible (CSB)

[Reynolds]

I do not confuse Sovereignty.

You demand that God be pulled down off His throne so that you can rule with equal status. Your idea of sovereignty is not taught in the Bible. Sovereignty does not mean dual rulership. It is not a syncretist rule. God is a monarch. He rules. All others bow under His rule.

The fact that you cry out against God as the benevolent dictator is a sure sign that you are fighting God for lordship in your life. There can only be one ruler and it has never, is never and will never be you. God was, is and always will be absolute ruler. Don't fool yourself into thinking anything else.

If you cannot accept God as absolute ruler then your battle is with God and not me.

Comical. I do not cry out against God. I simply do not accept your flawed view of Him. You say the same things over and over. I accept God as scripture portrays Him. If you want to deal with Satan's fall I might give your extremely flawed interpretation of Gods Sovereignty more serious consideration. Of course, you would then need to deal with Adam. No Calvinist has logically dealt with either.

 

[Yeshua1]

God’s Rich Blessings

“3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens. 4 For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight.[ In love[ 5 He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, 6 to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved.

7 We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure that He planned in Him.”

Here is the analysis of the CSB study note

Ephesians 1:3-9

The study note on Eph 1:4 states: “He chose us in him: The idea of divine election flows out of the important theme of spiritual union, for election is ‘in Christ.’ The doctrine of election is one of the most central and one of the most misunderstood teachings of the Bible. At its most basic level, election refers to God’s plan whereby he accomplishes his will. The meaning of election is best understood as God’s sovereign initiative in bringing persons to faith in Christ, resulting in a special covenant relationship with him. This theme serves as a foundation for the entire opening section of Ephesians, which includes the phrases God ‘chose us’ (v. 4); ‘predestined us’ (v. 5); and ‘predestined according to his plan’ (v. 11). Paul’s focus on the Christ-centered character of election is vitally important. God chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world. This indicates the centrality of the gospel in God’s plan for history.”

Analysis: Christians should not debate whether God chose believers in Christ, but they should explore the possible meanings of such a concept. The emphasis in this explanation on God choosing believers “in him” is appropriate due to the appearance of that phrase in verse 4 as well as in Paul’s other writings. Also, emphasizing God choosing in Christ is appropriate since God the Father referred to Jesus as “my Son, my chosen (eklegomai) one” (Luke 9:35).

The study note explains that “election refers to God’s plan whereby he accomplishes his will.” Such an explanation should satisfy Christians, regardless of whether or not they define election as God’s selection of individuals for salvation (a Calvinistic interpretation).

The next sentence in the study notes was written in way that all Christians, including Calvinists, can interpret to be consistent with their view of God’s work in salvation: “The meaning of election is best understood as God’s sovereign initiative in bringing persons to faith in Christ, resulting in a special covenant relationship with him.” The sentence mentions “God’s sovereign initiative,” which all Christians should affirm because such a view does not require either (although it is consistent with) the compatibilism or the determinism required by Calvinistic theologians. Also, the comment mentions God’s work of “bringing persons to faith in Christ,” which is another carefully worded statement which could be affirmed by most Christians, because those who affirm Calvinistic theology will read the phrase with monergistic regeneration in their mind while other Christians think of an offer by God of salvation which can be freely accepted or rejected.

Finally, the mention that God’s choice of believers before the foundation of the world can be affirmed by Christians who affirm election as God’s choice of a group (corporate election) or distinguish election from salvation (election to service) as well as those who define election as God’s choice of individuals for salvation (Calvinistic interpretation). (Note: For a recent study which raises doubts that Paul conceived of election as God’s eternal choice to save certain individuals, see A. Chadwick Thornhill, The Chosen People: Election, Paul and Second Temple Judaism [Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2015].)

In conclusion, the study notes on Eph 1:3–9 can be affirmed by those who affirm Calvinistic theology as well as those who reject Calvinistic theology.

As you can see, the study note presents an interpretation that is either Arminian or Calvinistic. The alternate view, God choice of Christ to be His Redeemer, His Lamb of God necessarily included choosing corporately those His Redeemer would redeem. You do not choose a Redeemer without a redemption plan (verse 11.)

A more helpful study note would read like this:

In this passage Paul lists the blessings born anew believers now positionally sanctified in Christ, have received: First, God’s redemption plan formulated before creation included both His Redeemer (Christ) and those who would be redeemed (us). Next, we would be made blameless and holy as a new creation in Christ. Our third listed blessing is that we are predestined for adoption, the redemption of our bodies at Christ’s second coming. Forth, our sins are forgiven through the blood of His Lamb. Finally, with the indwelling of the Helper, He made known to us the mystery of His plan for redemption of those who trust in Christ.

The very first set of Csb notes on this passage were correct!

 

[Yeshua1]

Comical. I do not cry out against God. I simply do not accept your flawed view of Him. You say the same things over and over. I accept God as scripture portrays Him. If you want to deal with Satan's fall I might give your extremely flawed interpretation of Gods Sovereignty more serious consideration. Of course, you would then need to deal with Adam. No Calvinist has logically dealt with either.

How have we not done so?

 

[Van]

The very first set of Csb notes on this passage were correct!

In this passage (Ephesians 1:3-9) Paul lists the blessings born anew believers now positionally sanctified in Christ, have received: First, God’s redemption plan formulated before creation included both His Redeemer (Christ) and those who would be redeemed (us). Next, we would be made blameless and holy as a new creation in Christ. Our third listed blessing is that we are predestined for adoption, the redemption of our bodies at Christ’s second coming. Forth, our sins are forgiven through the blood of His Lamb. Finally, with the indwelling of the Helper, He made known to us the mystery of His plan for redemption of those who trust in Christ.

 

[Yeshua1]

In this passage (Ephesians 1:3-9) Paul lists the blessings born anew believers now positionally sanctified in Christ, have received: First, God’s redemption plan formulated before creation included both His Redeemer (Christ) and those who would be redeemed (us). Next, we would be made blameless and holy as a new creation in Christ. Our third listed blessing is that we are predestined for adoption, the redemption of our bodies at Christ’s second coming. Forth, our sins are forgiven through the blood of His Lamb. Finally, with the indwelling of the Helper, He made known to us the mystery of His plan for redemption of those who trust in Christ.

Ties into Romans 8, as the elect in Christ are the sinners chosen out beforehand by God, by His own will and purpose, not based upon us!

 

[MennoSota]

Comical. I do not cry out against God. I simply do not accept your flawed view of Him. You say the same things over and over. I accept God as scripture portrays Him. If you want to deal with Satan's fall I might give your extremely flawed interpretation of Gods Sovereignty more serious consideration. Of course, you would then need to deal with Adam. No Calvinist has logically dealt with either.

Scripture does not portray you and God as co-rulers. Your syncretism is a false teaching regarding God.

 

[Reynolds]

Scripture does not portray you and God as co-rulers. Your syncretism is a false teaching regarding God.

Scripture portrays God as ruler. Beginning in the very first book of the Bible, we see that The Ruler gives His subjects permission to make choices.

 

[Reynolds]

How have we not done so?

Earlier in the thread, I posted a quote from Sproul. Maybe you have a better answer for it than he does.

Why did Adam sin?
Did he have a choice?
Did he do Gods will?
If Adam did not do Gods will, does that mean God was not in control?
If he did Gods will, why did God command him to do opposite of what He really wanted Adam to do?
Considering Adam had no fallen nature, why did hedesire to sin?

 

[MennoSota]

Scripture portrays God as ruler. Beginning in the very first book of the Bible, we see that The Ruler gives His subjects permission to make choices.

Key word...His subjects.

Only those whom God has chosen to adopt are his subjects. Everyone else is a rebel to God. They are slaves to sin.

The choices his adopted children make are in God's ordained will.

You are a bond-slave of God or a slave to sin. Which camp do you fall in, Reynolds? In no case are you an equal ruler with God. Accept your humble position. You and I are nothing except by our position in Christ.

 

[MennoSota]

Earlier in the thread, I posted a quote from Sproul. Maybe you have a better answer for it than he does.

Why did Adam sin?
Did he have a choice?
Did he do Gods will?
If Adam did not do Gods will, does that mean God was not in control?
If he did Gods will, why did God command him to do opposite of what He really wanted Adam to do?
Considering Adam had no fallen nature, why did hedesire to sin?

The answer is:
God in His Sovereign will ordained the fall of man for the purpose of His Sovereign will.

What does that mean? It means that God does not owe us an explanation. You make no demands of the King. You bow before the King. That is your position. We kneel in the presence of the King.

You don't like that option?

Do you prefer your just judgment instead?

 

[Reynolds]

Key word...His subjects.

Only those whom God has chosen to adopt are his subjects. Everyone else is a rebel to God. They are slaves to sin.

The choices his adopted children make are in God's ordained will.

You are a bond-slave of God or a slave to sin. Which camp do you fall in, Reynolds? In no case are you an equal ruler with God. Accept your humble position. You and I are nothing except by our position in Christ.

Where do you come up with this crap that I think I am an equal ruler with God? That idea is an invention of your over active imagination or possibly it is the result of poor reading comprehension. You have a quite annoying habit of wrongly stating what other people believe. Show a direct quote from one of my posts where I have claimed to be equal to God. Either you falsely portray my position to make a point or you make false assumptions about what I believe. I am not sure which, but I am tired of it.

 

[Reynolds]

The answer is:
God in His Sovereign will ordained the fall of man for the purpose of His Sovereign will.

What does that mean? It means that God does not owe us an explanation. You make no demands of the King. You bow before the King. That is your position. We kneel in the presence of the King.

You don't like that option?

Do you prefer your just judgment instead?

What that means is you have no clue how to explain it. It is a blatant contradiction that gives Calvinists fits.
God told Adam not to sin, but it was Gods will he sinned. Do you realize how blatantly stupid that is?

 

[MennoSota]

Where do you come up with this crap that I think I am an equal ruler with God? That idea is an invention of your over active imagination or possibly it is the result of poor reading comprehension. You have a quite annoying habit of wrongly stating what other people believe. Show a direct quote from one of my posts where I have claimed to be equal to God. Either you falsely portray my position to make a point or you make false assumptions about what I believe. I am not sure which, but I am tired of it.

Is God entirely Sovereign in all areas and are you a bond-slave of Christ?

 

[Reynolds]

Is God entirely Sovereign in all areas and are you a bond-slave of Christ?

First part of the question, Yes God is entirely Sovereign. Where we differ is in the practical implication of His Sovereignty.

Second part, yes.

 

[MennoSota]

What that means is you have no clue how to explain it. It is a blatant contradiction that gives Calvinists fits.
God told Adam not to sin, but it was Gods will he sinned. Do you realize how blatantly stupid that is?

The conflict is in your ignorant thinking that you can grasp the will of God.
You and I are like 1 month old babies in our understanding of God's plans. I understand this and accept my Father is good, even when I don't understand His choices. You, you demand an answer and imagine that you can reason out God's will.

Reynolds you are being foolish even as you pridefully think your inquiry and questioning of God is honorable.

 

[MennoSota]

First part of the question, Yes God is entirely Sovereign. Where we differ is in the practical implication of His Sovereignty.

Second part, yes.

Your implication is not supported by the Bible, however, and it is not what Sovereignty means.

 

[Reynolds]

Your implication is not supported by the Bible, however, and it is not what Sovereignty means.

It is supported by the Bible. God gave Adam a Choice. Deal with that and we shall move further.




You obviously have some definition fabricated in your mind of what Sovereignty is. Why don't you enlighten me as to what Sovereignty is and then we can discuss it?

 

[Reynolds]

The conflict is in your ignorant thinking that you can grasp the will of God.
You and I are like 1 month old babies in our understanding of God's plans. I understand this and accept my Father is good, even when I don't understand His choices. You, you demand an answer and imagine that you can reason out God's will.

Reynolds you are being foolish even as you pridefully think your inquiry and questioning of God is honorable.

I am not questioning God, I am questioning you. When you have no answer, I become foolish. Funny how that seems to regularly happen.

 

[MennoSota]

It is supported by the Bible. God gave Adam a Choice. Deal with that and we shall move further.




You obviously have some definition fabricated in your mind of what Sovereignty is. Why don't you enlighten me as to what Sovereignty is and then we can discuss it?

Adam acted within the ordained will of God. Adam could not choose outside of God's ordained will.
God was not taken by surprise. God's will was never usurped by Adams actions. Nowhere do you see God saying He was blindsided by human action. On the contrary. God tells us that He raises up evil nations to accomplish His will. Read Habakkuk if you doubt.

You desperately want the choice to be like God. Why is that?

 

[MennoSota]

I am not questioning God, I am questioning you. When you have no answer, I become foolish. Funny how that seems to regularly happen.

I provided the answer. You don't like it and demand that God answer your childish questions as though he's obligated to do so.
Just rest in God. Trust Him when He says He is with you always. No questions are necessary. God is Sovereign, you are not.