Predestination

This is one of those passages in the Bible that is difficult for the modern reader. For we have been told that it is all about us. And then Paul says that we are but Clay.

Romans 9:19-33

19You will say to me then, “Why then does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20But who indeed are you, a human being, to argue with God? Will what is molded say to the one who molds it, “Why have you made me like this?” 21Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one object for special use and another for ordinary use?

Then Paul states that some people will not be saved, that they were made to be enemies. This is Calvin’s commentary on the verse below (v.22)

A second answer, by which he briefly shows, that though the counsel of God is in fact incomprehensible, yet his unblamable justice shines forth no less in the perdition of the reprobate than in the salvation of the elect. He does not indeed give a reason for divine election, so as to assign a cause why this man is chosen and that man rejected; for it was not meet that the things contained in the secret counsel of God should be subjected to the judgment of men; and, besides, this mystery is inexplicable. He therefore keeps us from curiously examining those things which exceed human comprehension. He yet shows, that as far as God’s predestination manifests itself, it appears perfectly just.

The particles, ?? ??, used by Paul, I take to mean, And what if? so that the whole sentence is a question; and thus the sense will be more evident: and there is here an ellipsis, when we are to consider this as being understood, — “Who then can charge him with unrighteousness, or arraign him?” for here appears nothing but the most perfect course of justice.

But if we wish fully to understand Paul, almost every word must be examined. He then argues thus, — There are vessels prepared for destruction, that is, given up and appointed to destruction: they are also vessels of wrath, that is, made and formed for this end, that they may be examples of God’s vengeance and displeasure. If the Lord bears patiently for a time with these, not destroying them at the first moment, but deferring the judgment prepared for them, and this in order to set forth the decisions of his severity, that others may be terrified by so dreadful examples, and also to make known his power, to exhibit which he makes them in various ways to serve; and, further, that the amplitude of his mercy towards the elect may hence be more fully known and more brightly shine forth; — what is there worthy of being reprehended in this dispensation? But that he is silent as to the reason, why they are vessels appointed to destruction, is no matter of wonder. He indeed takes it as granted, according to what has been already said, that the reason is hid in the secret and inexplorable counsel of God; whose justice it behoves us rather to adore than to scrutinize.

And he has mentioned vessels, as commonly signifying instruments; for whatever is done by all creatures, is, as it were, the ministration of divine power. For the best reason then are we, the faithful, called the vessels of mercy, whom the Lord uses as instruments for the manifestation of his mercy; and the reprobate are the vessels of wrath, because they serve to show forth the judgments of God.

This leads to my title. Calvin accepts that he has been saved and some will not be. He says that we are to be God’s vessels of mercy: but the modern rails at the fact we cannot understand justice.

However, there are many things that we design we do not fully understand. The 64-bit processor that runs my computer is not fully understood. Neither is the brain of the person typing it. We simply don’t have the data, and this is Calvin’s point.

22What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience the objects of wrath that are made for destruction; 23and what if he has done so in order to make known the riches of his glory for the objects of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory – 24including us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?

25As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’”26″And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they shall be called children of the living God.”

27And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel, “Though the number of the children of Israel were like the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved; 28for the Lord will execute his sentence on the earth quickly and decisively.” 29And as Isaiah predicted, “If the Lord of hosts had not left survivors to us, we would have fared like Sodom and been made like Gomorrah.”

30What then are we to say? Gentiles, who did not strive for righteousness, have attained it, that is, righteousness through faith; 31but Israel, who did strive for the righteousness that is based on the law, did not succeed in fulfilling that law. 32Why not? Because they did not strive for it on the basis of faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33as it is written, “See, I am laying in Zion a stone that will make people stumble, a rock that will make them fall, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

via Daily Lectionary Readings — Devotions and Readings — Ministries & Programs — GAMC.

Yesterday I read that Hitchens has cancer. Many religious people started praying for him. In this… we are acting on faith, in obedience. We simply don’t know what Hitchens is thinking or feeling.  However, a commentator stated…

I find it disrespectful for you to say “pray for the healing of Christopher Hitchens’ body and most importantly of all; the healing of his soul.” on your page announcing Mr Hitchen’s cancer diagnosis. If you were to fall ill and a person who honestly believed in Satan worship were to pray that Satan take possession of your soul, would you appreciate it? I am not comparing atheism and satanism (in fact Christianity has more in common with Satanism than does atheism) but it is a matter of respecting one’s beliefs. Praying for Mr Hitchens’ soul is a slap in the face, and is not very respectful.

This commentator does not realize that they either have a gift of knowledge (or a telepathic delusions) or they are speaking for Hitch. He will speak for himself.
In the meantime, I have to be a vessel of mercy. So let’s pray for his body, for fortitude in suffering, for strength in his family, and for the mercy of God to touch him.