I plan to complete a series of books outlining what I think are the Biblical alternatives to the five points of Calvinism (and Arminianism). Chosen to Serve: Why Election Is to Service, Not to Eternal Life, was my answer to Unconditional Election. I have two more manuscripts in the works—one on Limited Atonement (The Cross: Different Benefits, for Different People, Under Different Conditions), and one on Total Depravity (called Able to Believe: A Biblical Doctrine of Human Ability and Inability).
Regarding Total Depravity, Calvinists say that human beings are born without the ability to believe, hence regeneration must precede faith. Arminians/Wesleyans agree, but qualify that God’s prevenient grace enables everyone to believe through a partial regeneration.
I think a Free Grace view would be somewhat different. I think we should set aside the whole debate over whether people must be completely or partially regenerated before they can believe. I simply do not see that in the Bible at all.
Instead, the issue is not about regeneration, but God’s drawing (John 6:44). And the Bible is clear that God not only loves all (John 3:16) but is also drawing all to Himself (John 12:32). He especially draws people through signs (John 20:30), evidence, and preaching (Rom 10:14), so they will be persuaded of the truth and be saved.
But there’s a flipside to God’s drawing, namely, Satan’s resisting. That’s not something I usually see in Calvinist or Arminian treatments of Total Depravity, but I don’t think I can write Able to Believe without exploring Satan’s activity in the world and the war waging between him and God.
For example, how does Satan work to prevent people from believing?
“These are the ones who are beside the road where the word is sown; and when they hear, immediately Satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them” (Mark 4:15).
Here you see that Satan is working to take away the seed of the gospel from the minds of hearts of unbelievers. God draws by sowing the seed, and Satan resists by snatching it away. It’s something he has become quite good at. But his strategies can be recognized for what they are:
But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes (2 Cor 2:10-11).
Here we see that Satan has “schemes” to take “advantage” of us, such as capitalizing on unforgiveness between brethren. I can’t help but think of C. S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters as a modern portrayal of Satan’s typical devices to thwart Christians.
Another way that Satan attacks the mind is with his own signs and wonders:
“For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect” (Matt 24:24; cf. Rev 19:20).
Elsewhere we read that Satan attacks by actively blinding people to the gospel:
in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God (2 Cor 4:4).
A question I have is this: why would Satan be so active in preventing God’s drawing if people are born totally unable to believe?
The evidence doesn’t fit the Calvinist doctrine of total inability. I wonder why Calvinists seem so blind to that inconsistency? Oh, right.
Alvin
Exactly, any person has the ability to believe Once the light gets turned on~! And Satan knows it, that is why he snatches the seed away before they can BELIEVE~!
Believing is the same as everyday belief, it is being persuaded by the evidence something is true. It’s not a decision one makes to believe or not to believe, they can’t believe something they are not persuaded is true, and once they are persuaded they have already believed. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. We only have one book in our bibles that was written for that purpose John 20:30-31 and the ONLY condition is believe, not repent and believe, but simply believe as stated in John 1:12-13; 2:23; 3:15-18,36; 4:10,39,41,42,53; 5:24; 6:30,35,40,47,69; 7:31,38; 8:24,30-31; 9:35-38; 10:26-30,37-38,42; 11:25-27,42,45,48; 12:36,42,46; 13:19; 14:1,12; 17:8,20,21; 19:35.
(Matt 13:19; 2 Cor 4:3-6; Rom 4:20-22; Acts 16:14; 28:24)
Leo Z
Great post Pastor Shawn. I’ve always asked the same question, why are people so blind to God’s truths, why do they refuse to see what Scripture says for what it is? And my answer is twofold, the first reason, you covered on this article. They are being blinded by Satan (2 Cor 4:4). The second reason, he promotes his own lies by twisting and subtly modifying God’s truths into half truths. He actively disguises Himself as an angel of light and his ministers present themselves as ministers of righteousness, teaching falsehood in the name of Christ (2 Cor 11:13-15). I dubbed this his “blind and deceive” strategy.
Thank you and keep contending for God’s truth! You and the GES family are in my prayers.
Alvin
God’s provision is for EVERYONE John 3:16.
God’s desire is for EVERYONE 1 Timothy 2:4.
God draws EVERYONE John 12:32.
Everyone is responsible to God to BELIEVE His testimony concerning His Son, and everyone is without excuse to respond to the light that they have been given, and not to suppress it. That is a completely different picture than what the Calvinist paints~! (John 3:15-18; 1 John 5:9-11; Romans 1:18-20; Acts 17:26-28; Isa 65:1)
God says, here I am, here I am~! Man left to himself would not seek God, but God has not left man to himself but has made everyone responsible to respond to the light they have ALL been given.
Jo Ann
John 11:26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” NKJV This seems to me to be definitive. The only requirement for believing is to be alive according to Jesus words (whoever lives). You can not believe after you are dead. Our only opportunity for believing the message of life is during this lifetime. We know that the death at the end of the verse refers to eternal death, so therefore the opposite of the living at the beginning of the verse must be physical death. Shawn, you are the one to articulate this argument. I look forward eagerly to your books!
KENTAMASHIRO
Hi Pastor Shawn,
Yes I agree with you, about Gods Drawing. Many Reformers cannot distinguish between Gods Drawing, which can be irresistible but can be turned down by a person by his own choice.
As far as the enemy is concerned, it is true that he will convince the unbeliever that this is bogus information, but by our Prayers it can allow God to speak to the persons heart that what is being said is true.
I believe that by exposing the Church for its wrongdoing helps the unbeliever know we are speaking the truth and are not defending the Church or God, much like Jesus exposing the hypocrisy of the Religious System. It is important to bring that up so as to assist in trusting the veracity of Christ.
Grace and Peace to you,
Ken Tamashiro
KEN TAMASHIRO
Hi Pastor Shawn,
Yes I agree with you, about Gods Drawing. Many Reformers cannot distinguish between Gods Drawing, which can be irresistible but can be turned down by a person by his own choice.
As far as the enemy is concerned, it is true that he will convince the unbeliever that this is bogus information, but by our Prayers it can allow God to speak to the persons heart that what is being said is true.
I believe that by exposing the Church for its wrongdoing helps the unbeliever know we are speaking the truth and are not defending the Church or God, much like Jesus exposing the hypocrisy of the Religious System. It is important to bring that up so as to assist in trusting the veracity of Christ.
Grace and Peace to you,
Ken Tamashiro
John Ricci
I agree wholeheartedly with you Shawn. If men are not able to believe , why does Satan work so hard to blind them to the truth. The Bible is so clear on this point. Sadly Calvinism which is a religious philosophy leaves no room for simple Biblical based theology. Calvinist scholastic tradition has dominated theological works and has been used to blind many to simple Biblical propositions. Keep up the good work. I look forward to your next book on this subject. Pastor John Ricci
Alvin
Great Points Leo, Jo Ann, and Ken
The Calvinist takes Scripture like Romans 8:28-30; 9:11-13 without understanding there context, and forces their theology on childlike verses as John 3:16; 12:32 therefore contradicting them. We are to do just the opposite as in the analogy of faith, always use the light of the childlike Scriptures to give light on the more difficult ones until God gives us understanding. This way we are rightly dividing the word of truth, it must be divided as with the gift of eternal life and discipleship which cost.
For instance, Romans 9:11-13 is speaking to those whom these things are true of. That is it is speaking to those who are the firstborn sons, the ones with the firstfruits of the Spirit (Rom 8:22-23). That is those who are being conformed to His image in this life. God knows who those firstborn sons are, and they will reign with Christ as co-heirs. Which certainly is not the case with every son of God, it is only the firstborn son who gets the double portion (Deut 20:17; 8:17,29-30).
Lon Gregg
Great treatment of depravity. Thanks much!
Couple possible questions on “We are not ignorant”:
1. The “we” would be who? The apostles? The apostles and readers? Other?
2. Possible answer: All readers acquainted with Genesis 3 (which would presumably include all the above, since this passage would likely have been taught early in Corinth)?
3. In Genesis 3, we seem to be at least one such “scheme,” the “divide and conquer”/destroy unity (of Adam and Eve) strategy to which Paul might be referring in 2 Cor 2:10-11? (Other strategies identified in Gen 3 might be insinuation, appeal to pride, flat-out lying [cf. Jn 8:44], and others.)
Alvin
Evidently the Corinthians were ignorant because they hadn’t forgiven him. When one repents and is not forgiven by the Church which Paul was calling them to do, lest Satan take advantage of the situation. No one is exempt from falling 1 Cor 10:12-13 and the next time they may be the one who needs forgiven.
Timothy Grady
Good question Lon .
This paragraph is not clear to me :
” I think a Free Grace view would be somewhat different. I think we should set aside the whole debate over whether people must be completely or partially regenerated before they can believe. I simply do not see that in the Bible at all”.
Perhaps someone can offer an explanation ?
Otherwise , so thankful for the underlying thesis .
Leo Z
Hi Timothy, At first glance I too was not clear on what Pastor Shawn meant by the paragraph you quoted. I had to do a double take on it. Here’s my understanding of it. I think he’s saying that the issue at hand and in his upcoming book “Able To Believe” is not regeneration per say, whether it’s partial or complete before belief (since both of those are biblically untenable assertions) but rather the issue of God’s “drawing” and Satan’s “resisting”. That’s made clear in the paragraph that follows. He starts…”Instead…” I could be wrong but that’s my take on it.
Timothy Grady
Thanks Leo .
I’m so grateful for your insight , and the edification on this site .
Leo Z
Timothy, your insights are deeply appreciated as well and yes, edification does run high on this site. Thanks be to God, all praise and glory are His!
Leo Z
Satan employs different strategies to blind and steer people away from God’s truths (unbelievers and believers alike). This is a high priority task on his short-lived agenda. He’s a cunning, manipulative liar and deceiver, who even use believers to carry out his deceptive schemes. An example would be a “free grace” believer who later falls for the unbiblical teachings of another “theological system” with leanings to a “works salvation” message. Although he remains saved and secure in his eternal destiny, he has now become doctrinally unsound and confused. In his folly and confusion, he starts to support and promote a false saving gospel, where works are subtly and craftily blended in with faith, all the while maintaining that what he teaches and preaches is a salvation by “faith alone” message. He has now allowed himself to be used by “the deceiver” as a purveyor of his falsehoods.
How did this believer get to such confused state? It’s because he fell for the deceptive schemes of the pseudo-angel of light and his pseudo-ministers of righteousness.
Leo Z
Could he have avoided being so deceived? Yes! How? By having a sober and vigilant mind, grounded in biblical truth (through the earnest study of Scripture). By testing every spirit and testing all things (in the light of Scripture). By standing firm, donned in the full armor of God in the struggle against the enemy and his cohorts. All these, done, while abiding in Jesus and tapping in to the power and guidance of the Spirit. God will honor and reward such an attitude and resolve. Stand firm and be equipped, beloved!
Alvin
Amen Brother Leo~!
Leo Z
One more thought, I believe a tenet that needs to be presented with extreme clarity, is that God’s drawing is “resistible” which a Calvinist would assert and contend for otherwise. Satan’s attempts to blind people and provide resistance to God’s drawing is resistible as well. Man has been endowed with choice and responsibility on these matters. Receiving free grace is a matter of free choice, hence, the “whosoever will…” !!
Leo Z
One more thought, one which I believe warrants to be presented with extreme clarity in any discussion about God’s “drawing” of people unto Him and Satan’s attempts of “resisting” that endeavor. It speaks to another of the 5 points of Calvinism but is inexorably linked and related to this tenet. I’m referring to the doctrine of “Irresistible Grace”. The Bible is clear that God’s drawing can be resisted. Conversely, Satan’s resisting can be resisted as well. Man has been endowed with a will and a choice with which comes responsibility and accountability before God. He has the on his own volition, the ability, to either accept or reject God’s drawing and Satan’s resisting.
Receiving God’s “free grace” is a “free choice”, hence, the “whosoever will…” in Scripture. As it’s been said and sang…”the ‘whosoever’ means me…”
Leo Z
sorry for the double post! I thought the first one got lost in cyber space, it was just slow 🙂
Annette
Thanks for the perspective in the article, Mr. Lazar. While you obviously are doing more study and this (and many issues) deserve more than a quick look, it’s amazing how simple principles that the Bible does clearly teach can powerfully refute teaching that is not correct. Thank you for your work, study, prayers for clarity, and writing.
Leo Z
Amen Annette! I like your statement “.. it’s amazing how simple principles that the Bible does clearly teach can powerfully refute teaching that is not correct…” Scripture is truly living and powerful, enough to discern our thoughts (including error) and intentions (Hebrews 4:12). It is also profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). It saddens me that many do not invest any of their time to seriously study it.
Tom Barrett
Folks when I figured out while Jesus was dying on the cross he knew me and died for me. That’s the love Jesus did for me! That proved how much he loved me. The pain was borne all by him for me to come to heaven I can’t turn that down! So I can honestly say I believe with all my soul! What a gift! How about you ? The Bible is clear that whoever will my come and drink and believe is saved forever!