A
Anthony_V
Guest
CONTINUED
But wait, how is this possible? The Confession says that it is within “the power of man to fulfill it”: On the one hand, asserting that grace is necessary for eternal life for those in sin, but saying the opposite (that it is within the power of man) when man is not fallen or chained by sin (Adam and Eve). In other words, the only impediment to eternal life is sin–that man, by his uncorrupted nature, is worthy of the glory of God (that’s what happens when you take Romans 3:23 literally). This is why the author (of the web article) says naturally in a state of sin. A false dichotomy is presented: either man is in a state of sin, or he is in a state of communion and grace. Why is this? Because the effectual calling is, inadvertently or not, translated as an ordination by the nature. That is to say, that somehow man is called by his very nature, by very “image of God”, and is inherently worthy of a relationship and communion with God. This is false, for two reasons:
A. Because God’s supernatural virtue is incommunicable by means of the natural. God’s holiness and glory can only be communicated by the supernatural mystery of grace.
B. Because communion with the Creator, when as a friendship and virtue, is supernatural and disproportionate to the nature of the creature. Therefore, God’s friendship can only be communicated by the supernatural mystery of grace.
Now, this image of God is glorified in Christ, instead of Adam who failed (1 Corinthians 15:22). But this image first imparted onto the nature of man in Genesis is not glorified (Acts 17:29).
Now you are wondering what this has to do with predestination. God predestined to elevate the human nature to his glory. It is by the grace of God, not our own nature however splendid it might be, that we are elected to go to heaven. It is not by the works of Adam in his humanity that he would achieve eternal life by a covenant of works. It is by grace. Sola gratia.
And in regards to the individual, it seems that this is, in fact, a foreknowledge then, and not a double-predestination. God truly wills all men to be saved, and he gives us the means to that end–in grace, that is. Therefore, all humans are Israel, so to speak. But what of the Gentiles?
I think this about covers everything. I will do the other link later, if need be.
But wait, how is this possible? The Confession says that it is within “the power of man to fulfill it”: On the one hand, asserting that grace is necessary for eternal life for those in sin, but saying the opposite (that it is within the power of man) when man is not fallen or chained by sin (Adam and Eve). In other words, the only impediment to eternal life is sin–that man, by his uncorrupted nature, is worthy of the glory of God (that’s what happens when you take Romans 3:23 literally). This is why the author (of the web article) says naturally in a state of sin. A false dichotomy is presented: either man is in a state of sin, or he is in a state of communion and grace. Why is this? Because the effectual calling is, inadvertently or not, translated as an ordination by the nature. That is to say, that somehow man is called by his very nature, by very “image of God”, and is inherently worthy of a relationship and communion with God. This is false, for two reasons:
A. Because God’s supernatural virtue is incommunicable by means of the natural. God’s holiness and glory can only be communicated by the supernatural mystery of grace.
B. Because communion with the Creator, when as a friendship and virtue, is supernatural and disproportionate to the nature of the creature. Therefore, God’s friendship can only be communicated by the supernatural mystery of grace.
Now, this image of God is glorified in Christ, instead of Adam who failed (1 Corinthians 15:22). But this image first imparted onto the nature of man in Genesis is not glorified (Acts 17:29).
Now you are wondering what this has to do with predestination. God predestined to elevate the human nature to his glory. It is by the grace of God, not our own nature however splendid it might be, that we are elected to go to heaven. It is not by the works of Adam in his humanity that he would achieve eternal life by a covenant of works. It is by grace. Sola gratia.
We can see how this is applicable to Genesis. Adam and Eve could not God see face to face (as in heaven, 2 Corinthians 5:7), but they were friends with him, and so this was a grace to them as faith; and faith leads to sanctification (Ephesians 2:8-9). But the law prohibiting the eating of the fruit would not lead to eternal life, for then the promise of eternal life would not be a grace, but void. Transgression of the law “produces wrath”, but where there is no law (do not eat of the fruit or else you shall die), “neither is there violation”. Therefore, in a sense, the warning of transgression immediately followed the ordination. It seems, even further, that this ordination was not in the nature of man, or else he would naturally know the consequences–that is, God would not have to tell him not to eat the fruit.
And in regards to the individual, it seems that this is, in fact, a foreknowledge then, and not a double-predestination. God truly wills all men to be saved, and he gives us the means to that end–in grace, that is. Therefore, all humans are Israel, so to speak. But what of the Gentiles?
How beautiful. What humanity is seeking, it has not obtained, but those who are chosen obtain it, and the rest are hardened. What does this mean in regards to predestination? The “hardened” ones are the Gentiles. But who are these Gentiles? Strictly speaking, fallen humanity is the Gentiles. When we fell, our nature was damaged–not totally, but partially. We lost, to a certain degree, that image of God. We fell from grace to dust–not only as Adam and Eve were before they were ordained, but more-so even. We became as the animals, though we were being glorified in grace (Romans 1:23). And so we needed Christ to a) heal our nature and b) give us the grace to be elevated once more. In Christ, we become chosen, but it is not by the works of man that we are chosen. It by the free gift of grace to which we lay down our lives in obedience as Christ did. Grace builds upon nature. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He did not come to “make a way”, where we are created into Christs. Rather, he is the Way because we participate in** his** Life, which is the Truth. He is the only Way, because there is no other eternal Life (John 3:16). If we do not submit to this free gift of grace, we are hardened and some even become like stone, unreceptive to grace at all.
I think this about covers everything. I will do the other link later, if need be.
