Can I Really Make Free Choices? pt. 4
For the last several weeks we’ve discussed the sovereignty of God versus the free will of man. Specifically, we’ve examined the differences between incompatibilism and compatibilism, and have hopefully shown that compatibilism is the more reasonable solution. To conclude this series we will show that compatibilism is supported by Scripture.
Another term often used by theologians when discussing the compatibility of God’s sovereignty and man’s free will is concurrence. The doctrine of concurrence affirms both that God is sovereign and that mankind makes choices for which they are held responsible. This is precisely the testimony of Scripture. Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” And in Proverbs 16:33, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” These two verses tell us that God is directly involved in events considered to be matters of human freedom or events seemingly produced by random chance.
Concurrence is also found in Acts 2:22-23: “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” In his sermon, Peter acknowledges Jesus died according to God’s divine plan and foreknowledge, yet Peter also lays the guilt of Jesus’ crucifixion on the crowd. God, in His sovereignty, uses the evil intents of men’s hearts to accomplish His eternal purposes.
Another example is found in the book of Genesis. Out of jealousy, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, telling their father that he had been killed by a wild animal. Through a series of divinely orchestrated events, Joseph went from being a slave in Egypt to being a ruler second only to Pharaoh. This providential turn of events saved Jacob and his sons from certain starvation. Years later, Joseph said to his brothers concerning their selling him into slavery, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Genesis 50:20 (ESV) Again, God used the evil intents of Joseph’s brothers to bring about his sovereign will. Many more verses could be used (such as the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart before the Exodus), but these verses should be sufficient to show the Scriptural support for the doctrine of concurrence.
The doctrine of concurrence should bring Christians comfort and hope knowing that God is actively involved in our lives, and that evil can never ultimately overcome the good (Rom. 8:28). This is why Paul could write in Philippians 2:12-13, “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Our choices do matter, but our choices never take God by surprise, nor are they outside His sovereign control (Is. 46:9-10, Eph. 1:11).
a pdf version of this entry is available here
Another term often used by theologians when discussing the compatibility of God’s sovereignty and man’s free will is concurrence. The doctrine of concurrence affirms both that God is sovereign and that mankind makes choices for which they are held responsible. This is precisely the testimony of Scripture. Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” And in Proverbs 16:33, “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” These two verses tell us that God is directly involved in events considered to be matters of human freedom or events seemingly produced by random chance.
Concurrence is also found in Acts 2:22-23: “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.” In his sermon, Peter acknowledges Jesus died according to God’s divine plan and foreknowledge, yet Peter also lays the guilt of Jesus’ crucifixion on the crowd. God, in His sovereignty, uses the evil intents of men’s hearts to accomplish His eternal purposes.
Another example is found in the book of Genesis. Out of jealousy, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery, telling their father that he had been killed by a wild animal. Through a series of divinely orchestrated events, Joseph went from being a slave in Egypt to being a ruler second only to Pharaoh. This providential turn of events saved Jacob and his sons from certain starvation. Years later, Joseph said to his brothers concerning their selling him into slavery, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Genesis 50:20 (ESV) Again, God used the evil intents of Joseph’s brothers to bring about his sovereign will. Many more verses could be used (such as the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart before the Exodus), but these verses should be sufficient to show the Scriptural support for the doctrine of concurrence.
The doctrine of concurrence should bring Christians comfort and hope knowing that God is actively involved in our lives, and that evil can never ultimately overcome the good (Rom. 8:28). This is why Paul could write in Philippians 2:12-13, “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”
Our choices do matter, but our choices never take God by surprise, nor are they outside His sovereign control (Is. 46:9-10, Eph. 1:11).
a pdf version of this entry is available here
Labels: free will, sovereignty
posted on Friday, February 02, 2007 |
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