The Joy of Calvinism: Knowing God’s Personal, Unconditional, Irresistible, Unbreakable Love
An Interview on the Joy of Calvinism.
Monthly Archives: February 2012
Is God the Author of Sin? (Piper, Edwards)
As I continue to desire a better understanding of things such as sin and how it came to be, this link was a good piece to consider in my puzzling.
Justin Taylor|10:47 pm CT
Is God the Author of Sin? Jonathan Edwards’ Answer
Edwards answers, “If by ‘the author of sin,’ be meant the sinner, the agent, or the actor of sin, or the doer of a wicked thing . . . it would be a reproach and blasphemy, to suppose God to be the author of sin. In this sense, I utterly deny God to be the author of sin.”
But, he argues, willing that sin exist in the world is not the same as sinning. God does not commit sin in willing that there be sin. God has established a world in which sin will indeed necessarily come to pass by God’s permission, but not by his “positive agency.”
God is, Edwards says, “the permitter . . . of sin; and at the same time, a disposer of the state of events, in such a manner, for wise, holy and most excellent ends and purposes, that sin, if it be permitted . . . will most certainly and infallibly follow.”
He uses the analogy of the way the sun brings about light and warmth by its essential nature, but brings about dark and cold by dropping below the horizon. “If the sun were the proper cause of cold and darkness,” he says, “it would be the fountain of these things, as it is the fountain of light and heat: and then something might be argued from the nature of cold and darkness, to a likeness of nature in the sun.” In other words, “sin is not the fruit of any positive agency or influence of the most High, but on the contrary, arises from the withholding of his action and energy, and under certain circumstances, necessarily follows on the want of his influence.”
Thus in one sense God wills that what he hates come to pass, as well as what he loves. Edwards says,
God may hate a thing as it is in itself, and considered simply as evil, and yet . . . it may be his will it should come to pass, considering all consequences. . . . God doesn’t will sin as sin or for the sake of anything evil; though it be his pleasure so to order things, that he permitting, sin will come to pass; for the sake of the great good that by his disposal shall be the consequence. His willing to order things so that evil should come to pass, for the sake of the contrary good, is no argument that he doesn’t hate evil, as evil: and if so, then it is no reason why he may not reasonably forbid evil as evil, and punish it as such.
This is a fundamental truth that helps explain some perplexing things in the Bible, namely, that God often expresses his will to be one way, and then acts to bring about another state of affairs.
God opposes hatred toward his people, yet ordained that his people be hated in Egypt (Genesis 12:3; Psalm 105:25—”He turned their hearts to hate his people”).
He hardens Pharaoh’s heart, but commands him to let his people go (Exodus 4:21; 5:1; 8:1).
He makes plain that it is sin for David to take a military census of his people, but he ordains that he do it (2 Samuel 24:1; 24:10).
He opposes adultery, but ordains that Absalom should lie with his father’s wives (Exodus 20:14; 2 Samuel 12:11).
He forbids rebellion and insubordination against the king, but ordained that Jeroboam and the ten tribes should rebel against Rehoboam (Romans 13:1; 1 Samuel 15:23; 1 Kings 12:15-16).
He opposes murder, but ordains the murder of his Son (Exodus 20:13; Acts 4:28).
He desires all men to be saved, but effectually calls only some (1 Timothy 2:4; 1 Corinthians 1:26-30; 2 Timothy 2:26).
What this means is that we must learn that God wills things in two different senses. The Bible demands this by the way it speaks of God’s will in different ways. Edwards uses the terms “will of decree” and “will of command.” Edwards explains:
[God's] will of decree [or sovereign will] is not his will in the same sense as his will of command [or moral will] is. Therefore it is not difficult at all to suppose that the one may be otherwise than the other: his will in both senses is his inclination. But when we say he wills virtue, or loves virtue or the happiness of his creature; thereby is intended that virtue or the creature’s happiness, absolutely and simply considered, is agreeable to the inclination of his nature. His will of decree is his inclination to a thing not as to that thing absolutely and simply, but with reference to the universality of things. So God, though he hates a things as it is simply, may incline to it with reference to the universality of things.
Responding to Psalm 32
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. (Psalm 32:1-2 ESV)
There is no better blessing than this! Forgiveness. Lord, let me wait here and feel the weight of glory in this truth.
For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah (Psalm 32:3-4 ESV)
Unconfessed sin. I wonder how many times the pain I feel, both in soul and body, and the apathy that can take up residence in my heart for a season is due to unconfessed sin. I am the one who suffers for maintaining deceit in my spirit through lack of repentance for my sinfulness… my iniquity. God, I’m sorry; help me to be up front with You. Anything else is just plain stupid and an affront to your holiness.
I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah (Psalm 32:5 ESV)
Thank God and worship Him. He gave us Christ… all we have is Christ… and in Jesus Christ we have forgiveness of sin! Why would I hold on to the guilt and shame that He has already taken away? Lord, I confess…
Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah (Psalm 32:6-7 ESV)
Delivered!! Hallelujah, Jesus Christ found me and saved me when I was lost and in sin. He provided for Himself to be found! You God, have kept and are keeping me from that which kills the body and soul. Thank You for Your shouts of deliverance. Where would I be without your warnings, encouragements, and instruction which preserve me from trouble and get me out of it when I rebel and run headlong into it.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. (Psalm 32:8-9 ESV)
I am so grateful for our face to face counseling sessions. You intervene and save me perfectly according to Your will. Thank you for the understanding you impart to me through your Word and by your Spirit! They are life to me. I want to be near you, please keep me close.
Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (Psalm 32:10-11 ESV)
Oh God, your steadfast love is better than life. My lips will praise you and my heart sings for joy for this new heart that You have given me… a heart that can see You, know You, and love You in response to who You are.
I am GLAD in the LORD!
Church Labor Practices (humor)
For a good chuckle at stereotypes in churches… ;p
How Many Church Folk Does It Take to Change A Light Bulb?
======================================
Charismatic: Only one. Hands are already in the air.
Pentecostal: Ten. One to change the bulb and nine to pray
against the spirit of darkness.
Presbyterians: None. Lights will go on and off at predestined
times.
Roman Catholics: None. Candles only.
Baptists: At least 15. One to change the light bulb and three
committees to approve the change and decide who brings the
potato salad.
Episcopalians: Three. One to call the electrician, one to mix
the drinks, and one to talk about how much better the old one
was.
Mormons: Five. One man to change the bulb and four wives to
tell him how to do it.
Unitarians: We choose not to make a statement either in favor of
or against the need for a light bulb. However, if in your own
journey you have found that light bulbs work for you, that is
fine. You are invited to write a poem or compose a modern dance
about your light bulb for the next Sunday service, in which we
will explore a number of light bulb traditions, including
incandescent, fluorescent, three-way, long-life, and tinted, all
of which are equally valid paths to luminescence.
Methodists: Undetermined. Whether your light is bright, dull,
or completely out, you are loved. You can be a light bulb,
turnip bulb, or tulip bulb. A church-wide lighting service is
planned for Sunday. Bring a bulb of your choice and a covered
dish.
Nazarene: Six. One woman to replace the bulb while five men
review church lighting policy.
Lutherans: None. Lutherans don’t believe in change.
Amish: What’s a light bulb?
SuperBowl?
Super Bowl is good, but after a day of worship with the Church… well let’s just say that God’s Glory is supremely greater than any bunch of guys moving the pigskin up and down the field. Don’t get me wrong, it’s big (little b) but compared to what Christ has done and what lies ahead for those who believe… well, there just isn’t a comparison now is there?
