The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Extent of God's Love

I couldn't agree more. God's sovereignty IS one of His attributes and thus cannot be elevated over the other attributes. On the one hand we have the Evangelical (semi-Pelagian/Arminian) extreme where everything is to be seen through "love" glasses. This without question is what currently predominates Christendom. On the other hand we have the hyper-Calvinist extremists who demand that everything about God is to be filtered through His decree[s].

From my study of Scripture, neither is an option worthy of consideration. I've studied at seminaries of both groups and it wasn't enjoyable. What I have come to understand is that if one attribute is to be given more of a priority over any of the others it is that God is HOLY! His grace is HOLY, His mercy is HOLY, His love is HOLY, His justice is HOLY, etc. When Isaiah was given a vision of God the seraphim didn't cry out, "Loving, loving, loving is the Lord of Hosts:the whole earth is full of his love." (Isa 6:3) When Noah was floating away on the waters of the great flood and thousands were left to drown, he didn't unfurl a banner over the back of the transom which read, "Smile! God loves you." When men are called to give an account at the Great White Throne Judgment, they are not going to stand face-to-face with a loving Father. It is before the thrice holy Judge of all the earth that they are going to have to do. The sending of Christ into the world was without question a magnificent display of God's love... BUT it was equally a display of God's judgment upon sinners who loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil.

The love of God is not exalted but rather diminished when it is made universal for it means that this loving omnipotent God allows sinners for whom Christ was given to perish and suffer eternal damnation. Calvinism, the Reformed Faith answers this charge (contra the Remonstrance during the "Quinquarticular Controversy of 1618-19") by showing that the love of God in Christ is redemptive in nature. It is God's love that saves a sinner through the redemption that is found only in Christ. "Salvation is of the Lord" (Jonah 2:9)... from beginning to end; regeneration, calling, conversion, sanctification and final glorification. (cf. Rom 8:29-39) The apostle John sums it up this way:

God bestowed His love upon believers; the elect and thus they are often addressed as "beloved". Unbelievers and the reprobate of whom we have no absolute knowledge are never addressed as "beloved of God". The elect are those loved from eternity in Christ (Eph 1:4), adopted as sons in Christ, sanctified in Christ, made to sit in the heavenlies with Christ, are preserved to the end by Christ and will for all eternity be in perfect communion with Christ. Truly, what manner of love is this? What I can tell you is that it isn't "common".

In His grace,