"…[T]he strength of Calvinism relies on another factor outside of the Bible which is valued as much, if not more than the Bible, i.e., unassailable logic. In their system of theology, one doctrine builds upon the other with perfect consistency with the whole. I actually admire the consistency of the Calvinistic system, and can see how this peerless system could be so appealing to so many, especially those with an analytical mind." So writes the Arminian apologist Jeff Patton. His perspective on the Reformed position is similar to that of many Arminians who affirm its logical consistency. Starting with the presupposition of the sovereignty of God, this foundational point serves as the springboard from which everything else logically follows. Conversely, the same can not be said of its antithesis. When one takes an objective look at the Arminian perspective it becomes apparent that both diametrically opposing positions cannot both lead to the same conclusion - that God reigns supreme.
For years I have been plagued with what I see as inconsistencies within freewill theism. From a strict philosophical level I would argue that the Arminian concept of God and His sovereignty is the greatest barrier against reason.The contradiction inherent to this soteriological framework cannot be overlooked. Thus, the question is posed; does the Arminian position preserve God’s sovereignty over His creation? Does the Arminian position firmly support the concept that "salvation is of the Lord" (Jonah 2:9).
The Calvinist would answer with an emphatic, ‘No!’ while the Arminian would repudiate any notion that he is denying God’s sovereignty. Rather, he would object and claim that his position maintains God’s sovereignty but would insist that he defines sovereignty differently from the Calvinist. So, how then, does the Arminian reconcile God’s sovereignty in salvation with freewill theism? Jack Cottrell explains:
"What has been said here amounts to this, that the measure of God's sovereignty is not what God has decreed or what God has created, but God's absolute freedom to decree and create what he pleases. God created man with free will because he was pleased to do so; God limited his control over this freed will because it it pleased him to do so. In this case or in any other case God is no less than absolutely sovereign."
He continues:
"The question under consideration in this paper has been whether the doctrine of free will makes God anything less than absolutely sovereign. Against the Calvinist charge that it does, I have sought to show that it does not. The fact that the decree of God is all inclusive, including both man's freedom and his free acts, is enough to maintain the sovereignty of God with respect to his decree. The fact that God's control is absolute in the sense that he is the creator of all, and that the limitation with respect to man's will is self imposed also shows that God is sovereign. That God's knowledge of man's free acts is both complete and independent also means that God is sovereign."
Simply put, Cottrell argues that God demonstrates His sovereignty by deliberately limiting His sovereignty over His creation. That is, God could have used His power to elect a people unconditionally, but instead, chose to give us "free will" thereby willingly limiting His control over His creation. Since He could have elected a people unconditionally but instead chose to let His creation choose for themselves, He displayed His sovereignty by abrogating His sovereignty in salvation. (One has to immediately wonder how this does not violate the law of non-contradiction.)
Nevertheless, four questions come to mind after reading Cottrell’s paper:
1. Is it a rational possibility that God can limit His sovereignty?
Can God limit His omnipotence? Can God limit His omniscience? Can God limit His Omnipresence? Can God limit His power? The answer, of course, to all these questions is, ‘No!’ There are certain things God cannot do…meaning, God cannot act contrary to His nature. God cannot sin, God cannot make an equal, etc. God cannot limit His sovereignty because to do so would be to violate His nature – something that He cannot do. (And yes, allowing man to become the final arbiter in his eternal destiny IS a manifestation of sovereignty over God despite objections to the contrary.)
2. Even if such a possibility could happen, can this limitation be substantiated with Scripture?
Cottrell never appeals to Scripture in his attempt to substantiate his claim. Rather, his argumentation is centered in the philosophical realm. The biggest problem I have with this approach to theology is that it can neglect what the Scripture has to say concerning a particular doctrine…
3. Is the Arminian concept of free will compatible with the biblical view of man’s natural state?
Since Cottrell never bothers to appeal to Scripture I would be remiss if I acted in kind. The bible unabashedly describes man’s condition since the fall and his attitude towards God.
Isaiah 64:6, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."
1 Cor. 12:3, "Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost."
Ephesians 2:1,5, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)"
Romans 3:11-20 "There is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not evon one. Their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they keep deceiving, the poison of asps is under their lips; whose mouth full of cursing and bitterness; their feet are swift to shed blood, destruction and misery are in their paths, and the path of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes."
These are just a few of the myriad of passages describing man’s natural enmity towards God. Unless God changes the heart and grants a desire, man will freely choose to follow his natural instincts – which are "evil continually" (see Gen 6:5). This leads me to the final question…
4. What does Scripture actually say about God’s role in the salvific process?
Is God an impotent bystander hoping that every sinner will choose Him as the Arminian position tends? Or, is God proactive and sovereign from beginning to end? Is He the "author and perfector of faith?" (Heb 12:2) Paul’s words to the Ephesians answer our question:
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will, to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation--having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:3-14)
"I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God." (Ezekiel 11:19-20)
God is represented in Scripture as the Supreme Being who is absolute and unchanging. He is not frustrated, disappointed or dissatisfied. Nor is the Holy Spirit being defeated through the working of Satan in deceiving the nations. Instead, God’s purpose is being fulfilled in that He gives a new heart, He takes away the heart of stone and He keeps His people. God does not stand by idly and wish His creation would accept Him. Such is not the God of the Bible and that is why I must reject the God of freewill theism if I want to remain consistent with Scripture and reason.
