The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Is compatibilism the only true Calvinist response?

Tiessen's problem is very typical of non-Calvinists. Let me try and make this as simple as I can without distorting things. First of all, Calvinism isn't derived from "Greco-Roman" philosophy in any of its doctrines. I can assure you that the Scriptures are the sole source for them, which makes Calvinism rather unique, wouldn't you say?

Secondly, the Bible teaches two fundamental truths: 1) God is absolutely and indisputably sovereign. To use Sproul's analogy, if there was even one rogue molecule out there in the universe, then God would not be sovereign and we would all be forced into Atheism. (paraphrased from his lecture) Why? simply put, everything that exists is dependent upon the existence and action of some other thing. If God hasn't determined ALL things, their coming into being, their every movement and their end, then that leaves room for "chance" and thus God is not in total control. God's "foreknowledge" is inseparably linked and is derived from His eternal decree, i.e., His eternal council to determine what shall be and everything related to the existence of all things. If God had to "figure out" what some mere creature would do under a given set of circumstances, then God would therefore be in debt, dependent upon the creature and not as it is according the Scripture, man totally dependent upon the Creator. 2) Man is wholly responsible for what he is and all that he thinks, says and does. This is probably one of the most difficult and often rejected truths of Scripture. This relates back to the Fall and Adam's appointed position of the Federal Head of the human race. Whatever Adam did in his first estate would effect all his posterity.

Romans 5:12 (ASV) "Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned:"

It is this text that we find that "all sinned" in Adam; i.e., we are all culpable of Adam's transgression and equally share in the punishment which God delivered for that transgression, aka: death. Thus all men are born a)inheriting the guilt of Adam's sin and b) born with a corruption of nature. (cf. Rom 5:12-18; Eph 2:1-3). The Bible also clearly teaches that all men will have to stand before God at the last day and give account for every thought, word and deed for they are only responsible for their lives AND for their inherited guilt and corruption (sin nature). Thus, as I stated in my first reply, men are truly "free" to do as they wish but according to their natures (predisposition/inclination).

Okay... now the crux of the matter and the problem with which divides mankind into two basic philosophy/theological camps. 1) Calvinists accept these two truths and are adamant that neither can be diminished nor denied. God is totally sovereign and man is wholly responsible. God has determined all things and man is totally free to do as he pleases within the confines determined by his spiritual state. 2) All others refuse to accept the totality of these two profound truths and try desperately to fabricate some way to combine them. Unfortunately, doing so always ends in diminishing and thus denying both truths. Tiessen and all those like him try to offer some "reasonable" explanation which conforms to their presupposition(s), e.g., their own sense of fairness, compatibility, human autonomy, etc. ad nauseam.

The truth is men simply cannot accept these two truths for it removes the control from them and makes them solely dependent upon the wisdom, judgment, providence and grace of Almighty God.

Whew...... perhaps that is enough for now.

In His grace,