Dear Wondering,
First, I want to say that Augustine and Palagius introduced the sovereignty of God vs the free will of man into the topical scene back in the 4th Century. 1000 years later, Calvinism (T.U.L.I.P.) was birthed in the mid 1500’s. Its counter is generally called Arminianism and came about in the late 1500’s. Since that time, there have been ongoing debates about the merits of each approach. For about 500 years this conversation has raged pretty strongly, developed camps and denominations, and been used by our Enemy to create ruptures in relationships. These topics have been around for a really long time without being fully settled. So, as you continue to move forward in conversations with friends, I’d just like to reinforce what you already know: the relationship is more important than being right. We can’t talk someone out of their dogma. In the face of irrefutable truth, our emotional attachment will keep us firmly entrenched. The only way out is the breath of the Holy Spirit. So, I would just encourage you by saying it’s not your job to convince or compel your friends; rather, simply serve as God’s representative. The real win won’t be a convincing argument, but keeping a long-term relationship.
Second, in just a moment I’m going to offer some responses to your questions. Keep in mind, however, that when you take these responses back to your co-worker, they will have another counter for you (remember this is a 500-year dialogue!). A Believer who’s wishing to engage in these kinds of conversations needs to remain positioned as a life-long student, always curious, perpetually pursuing God’s voice on the matter and the scholarship of others. At the end of this email, I’m offering you a handful of resources to begin your study. As you examine these, the Lord will quicken your heart, bring peace to your soul and help you to have a good word at the right moment.
Let me now address the first issue you surfaced: “What does it say BEFORE that? Jesus said, ‘You must be born again.’ Consider YOUR birth. Did you have ANY CHOICE regarding your natural birth? No. Likewise when you are born again, it is a spiritual birth of God, not a choice.”
When I have to examine statements like this, I like to find the root of the argument being made. In this case, your co-worker is making the following argument:
- “Since I didn’t have a choice in being born, I don’t have a choice in being born again.”
At first the argument seems to make sense because the first part of the statement is true: you had no choice in your birth. But just because the first part of the argument is true does not mean the second must follow. And this is where the argument breaks down. Let’s extend it further to see if it makes sense.
- Since I didn’t have a choice in being born, I don’t have a choice in responding to this email.
- Since I didn’t have a choice in being born, I don’t have a choice in what I’m going to wear.
At issue here is free-will. And if one intends to make the argument that a lack of free-will on birth equals a lack of free-will on spiritual birth, then to remain consistent, they must also accept that there is no free-will for answering emails, what we wear, or for anything else. This is a very philosophical and impractical argument to make because our experience tells us we do have choices. To accept otherwise is an irrational ask.
I think the argument also completely misses the point Jesus is making. He’s not using physical birth as a line-for-line example of what happens in spiritual birth. He’s using it, instead, as an analogy. Otherwise, where does the example end? Must spiritual birth happen in the womb of a woman? Does spiritual birth begin as a zygote? Does spiritual birth require a 40-week gestation time? In fact, Jesus addresses this when Nicodemus asks the very question, “Must I enter a second time into the womb of my mother?” Jesus’ response indicates he’s not providing a line-for-line example from physical birth, but using it as an analogy to describe a spiritual reality. Therefore, we must hold the analogy loosely, as Jesus intended; it becomes outside the bounds of the analogy to accept that being born-again is without choice.
Let me interject right here to remind you that when you present this counter to your co-worker, he will have another counter to offer you. The key is to study the resources below and maintain relationship.
Now regarding the second issue you surfaced: “Who chose who? How can you say WE have a choice? “HE (God) chose US.” That’s what it says. The question we really should ask is not why God chooses only some to salvation, but why He would choose any at all.”
Of course, your co-worker is referencing Ephesians 1:4-6 in coming to this conclusion. This passage is a VERY popular Calvinist proof-text. I advance that you cannot understand vs 4-6 apart from the context of the remaining chapter.
Vs 13a says, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation;”
- Notice that the gospel of your salvation came after you heard the word of truth and trusted in him. This is clearly a free choice.
Vs 13b says, “in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,”
- Notice that you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit after you believed. Again, clearly a free choice.
It’s against this free choice context that verses 4-6 lean.
Vs 4a says, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world,”
- Notice that he did not choose us to be in Him, rather he chose us in Him (Jesus).
Vs 4b says, “that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,”
- In other words, the choice God makes is what becomes of those who are in Christ (holy and blameless) rather than who will be part of the in-group. So, your co-worker is asking the wrong question. It is not “why would He choose any at all,” rather the question is, “what outcome has He chosen.” The outcome is that, in Christ, we are holy and blameless.
Ephesians 1:4-6 is not about God predetermining who will be in Christ, rather it shows God predetermining what will become of those who choose Christ.
Again, your co-worker will have a counter for this perspective, so it is important to pray, study and maintain relationship.
As promised, here are some resources for you to check out and study.
Tactics – Greogry Koukl (This is a solid apologetic approach that enables you to maintain relationships)
Thank You for Arguing – Jay Heinrichs (This book offers an effective primer on the art of rhetoric and fallacy. It’s not Christian, so be aware you may not agree with his approach).
Chosen but Free – Norman Geisler (Moderate Calvinist)
Against Calvinism – Roger Olsen (Strong Arminian)
Hand in Hand – Randy Alcorn (Strong Calvinist)
Well, that’s a lot of detail, but I hope you found this email helpful. I’m praying for you as you study and hold conversations with people about your faith. I pray God grants you a Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation so that you may make known just how deep, and high, and wide is the love of Jesus Christ! Please let me know if you there is anything else I can do for you.
Blessings,
Pastor Robb
Executive Pastor, Gateway Church