[!NOTE] Now that you have listened to Lecture 11 on the Plan of God, give some of your own reflections on the lecture, maybe pointing out areas of agreement or disagreement. Remember I want your thoughts/reflections. This portion of the discussion should be completed by Thursday at midnight.
From Friday to Sunday at midnight please make two replies to others’ comments or replies. approx. 100 words.
The question of God’s sovereignty and man’s free will has always been a hot topic. God is in control of all things but human free will also means that man is responsible for their actions. But if God is in control how can ma be held accountable? I had already made up my mind about this topic as I take the Calvinist position. In that the Bible affirms both that God is sovereign and man is morally responsible. God is never the doer or cause of evil or sin, but He uses evil for good. God ultimately predestines people for salvation. Salvation is not something that man can choose because they are totally deprived. We need the Holy Spirits work of regeneration. So God ultimately wills human decision in someway.
God’s sovereignty in salvation gives great reason for evangelis
Some may object and say that, that is not free will because our choices are not free of influences. But I think our decisions are always influenced by something. I like the definition of free will when distinguishing between certainty and necessity. People are free to choose what they desire but their desires are molded by their environment. People are free to choose amongst different options based on who they are, which is a result of Good sovereignty.
Lastly even though this topic is incomprehensible like many others things of God and of this world. Armenians and Calvinist are both still within orthodoxy. And we are all still brother and sisters in Christ. We are all wrestling with this idea of human responsibility and God’s sovereignty but this point needs not be a reason for division.