This installment of my chapter reviews is titled “The History & Theology of Calvinism” by
Curt Daniel, Chapter Twenty-Two, Objections to Predestination.
“There have
been many objections to the Reformed doctrine of absolute predestination. Some
come from non-Christians who agree that it is taught in the Bible, but they do
not believe in the Bible. Others are Christians who believe the Bible but do
not believe that this doctrine is taught there. Here are a few popular
objections and Reformed answers.”
This
chapter is divided into 10 subsections, with the first eight subsections
addressing specific objections to the Reformed doctrine of Absolute Predestination,
one subsection dealing with Miscellaneous Objections, and the Conclusion.
“Absolute
predestination is fatalism.” Four paragraphs. The author
mentions Islam, Stoicism, and Augustine.
“Things
just are.” One paragraph.
“Absolute
predestination renders history meaningless.” One paragraph. Mention is
made of G. C. Burkouwer, Herman Hoeksema, and the Hyper-Calvinist supralapsarianism.
The paragraph ends with the author writing, “History has meaning precisely
because of predestination. If there was no predestination, there would be no
meaning but only chance.”
“Predestination
is linear, but the universe is cyclical.” Two paragraphs. Mention is
made of Burkouwer, Arminians, Open Theists, and eternity as being both endless
linear time and infinite eternal now non-time. The author observes the Bible
does not present the cyclical view of time of Buddhism and Hinduism. “Meanwhile,
history is His story, which He wrote in advance in predestination.”
“God
changes his mind.” Five paragraphs. Addressing the use of the word repent as
anthropopathy – attributing human emotions to God in a figure of speech.
Passages cited include Numbers 23.19; 1 Samuel 15.29; Psalm 110.4; Hebrews
7.21. Mention is made of Jonah. The final paragraph addresses two Greek words
for repent, illustrated with the examples of Judas Iscariot and Peter.
“The
universe is a game of cosmic chess.” “This is a dangerous and unbiblical
theory. It resembles the Greek gods on Mount Olympus, such as the Fates playing
whimsical tricks on men. Worse, it resembles the cosmic dualism of
Zoroastrianism, the religion of ancient Persia in which the white God of light
and fire opposes the black God of darkness. It sounds like by theistic
polytheism. But we add Satan is not a god and certainly is not the equal
opposite of God Almighty. God is eternal and infinite; Satan is neither. God
predestined that He will win; Satan cannot win. This is not cheating as the
extreme Arminian theory suggests but reveals the absolute perfection of God.”
“History is
a battle between God and Satan.” Three paragraphs. “We reply that
the Bible does indeed portray spiritual warfare between God and the Devil, but
we add that the victory is settled in eternal predestination and guaranteed by
the cross … God always wins.”
“Predestination
leaves no place for chance.” Six paragraphs. “How true!”
“Miscellaneous
objections.” “Predestination is not democratic.” “But my church does not
believe in predestination.” “It’s not practical.” “I just don’t like it.” “It
sounds too deep for me.” “It’s a great idea, but of course, men can overrule it
by free will.” “Well, nobody can know the truth on these things.”
Conclusion. “Luther wryly
observed: ‘All objections to predestination proceed from the wisdom of the
flesh.’”
