tojo
Faith and Salvation in relationship to repentance any one have any ideas
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mvastano6164
Replied to: Faith and Salvation in relationship to repentance any one have any...
The Divine Drawing
With a most emphatic thrust of truth, the Master Teacher said:
No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draws him: and I will raise him up in the last day. It is written in the prophets, “And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that has heard from the Father, and has learned, comes unto me” john (6:44-45).
It is upon this passage that we pause to focus our attention. The following points are worthy of serious reflection.
It is important to note first of all that Jesus appeals to the Old Testament (Isaiah 54:13) to buttress his argument. The term “prophets” is a general reference, much as when we say, “The Bible says . . .” The expression “it is written” (found eighty-two times in the New Testament, including parallels) always refers to a divine document, the validity of which is unequivocally affirmed.
The first clause of this sentence, “No man can come unto me, except the Father that sent me draw him,” has been one of the most abused texts of the New Testament for many centuries. For example, John Calvin taught that man is “so enslaved by the yoke of sin, that he cannot of his own nature aim at good either in wish or actual pursuit” (1975a, 265). Thus one “cannot possibly come to Christ unless drawn by the Spirit.” He is drawn “both in mind and spirit exalted far above [his] own understanding” (Ibid., 500). The drawing is not indirectly through the Scriptures, but “inwardly by the Spirit” (Ibid., 277). God works in the elect so as to “guide, turn, and govern [their] heart by his Spirit” (Ibid., 269). The “grace of God is insipid to men, until the Holy Spirit gives it its savor” (1975b, 253).
A careful examination of the passage, however, reveals the following facts.
The statement, “No man can come to me [Christ], except the Father that sent me draw him,” is explicit. The only route to Christ is by means of the “drawing” of God. But that does not completely explain the issue. Two questions are paramount: (a) Is the “drawing” by God irresistible; i.e., is the divine drawing an appeal to man’s mind (intellect and emotion), or is it a force so strong as to bypass “free will”? (b) Is the drawing miraculous, by the direct impulse of the Holy Spirit, or is it indirectly exerted through a divinely appointed means?
In his commentary on The Gospel According to John, the late Leon Morris argued that it is utterly impossible for a man to come to Christ on “his own volition”; rather God himself must initiate the action. He repudiated the idea that choice is “the free decision of man.” Calvin is quoted to the effect that the Spirit moves upon some, to turn them from unwilling to willing. It is alleged that God’s drawing power is always triumphant; it simply cannot be resisted (1995, 328-329).
This view is antagonistic to the teaching of the New Testament. First, the “drawing” is not by a force that is “irresistible,” as some claim (Sproul 1994, 69). Sproul cites Kittel on the word “draw” as meaning “an irresistible and supernatural force” (1964, 503), but this descriptive does not fit the biblical evidence. It is “commentary,” not “definition.” (For a discussion of the distinction between “draw” and “drag,” see: Trench 1890, section xxi; Vine 1991, on “drag”). If “draw” connoted an “irresistible force,” then all would be saved, for later in this Gospel narrative the Lord says: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself” (12:32). The “drawing” is a beneficent pull. The Lord said to ancient Israel: “I have loved you with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn you” (Jeremiah 31:3; cf. Song of Solomon 1:4).
Second, in verse forty-five Jesus reveals precisely how God draws people to Christ. Quoting from the prophet Isaiah (54:13)—and possibly alluding to Jeremiah 31:34—the Lord employs four verbs to stress the personal volition of human beings and the method employed in their being “drawn” to him. They must be taught, hear, learn, and come. To ignore these inspired words is exegetically irresponsible.
(1) The term “taught” is from the adjective didaktos, found only twice in the Greek New Testament. The word has to do with “being taught, instructed” (Danker et al. 2000, 240). In 1 Corinthians 2:13 it is employed of the teaching that ultimately originates with the Holy Spirit but is made known by means of words through men who convey the message—either those inspired originally, or now by means of their words as recorded in Scripture. Professor Merrill Tenney wrote: “Verse 45 indicates that God would do his drawing through the Scriptures and that those who were obedient to God’s will as revealed in the Scriptures would come to Jesus” (1981, 76). Bernard observed that the “drawing” was by “being taught” (1928, 205).
Some appeal to 1 Thessalonians 4:9—”[Y]ou have no need to have any one write to you, for your yourselves have been taught of God”—in an attempt to establish the theory that the teaching is an internal, subjective instruction by the Spirit (Hiebert 1971, 178). The actual point here being made, however, is that the teaching regarding brotherly love had been done previously (in fact since their conversion and their comprehension that they all were “family” by virtue of a common “new birth”), and such an elementary matter did not need to be rehearsed in the present letter.
(2) The word “heard” is important for it is preliminary to “coming” to Christ. The verb is a past tense form of akouo. Mounce notes that there are at least five senses in which akouo is used in the New Testament. In this case, it is a hearing with a view to learning (2007, 327); to receive information about something (cf. Danker et al. 2000, 38).
(3) “Learn” derives from manthano, “to gain knowledge or skill by instruction” (Danker et al. 2000, 615). It involves more than mere exposure to information; it embraces the idea of processing that data. As Mounce observes, it “involves not only exposure to information but also comprehension” (2007, 397). It conveys the sense of “understanding” (cf. Matthew 9:13).
No one is qualified to “come to” Christ, or even needs to, if he is incompetent to understand the rudiments of the gospel (Romans 1:16). Paul’s statement in Romans 6:17 that gospel obedience is “from the heart” shows, among other things, “that our decision to surrender to God was our own choice and was not coerced or irresistibly imposed upon us” (Cottrell 1996, 413). This nullifies Calvinism’s dogma of predestination, and denominationalism’s practice of infant sprinkling.
(4) The fourth verb is “comes.” Only those who are “taught” the truth, listen intently with the motive of “learning,” and who understand the foundational elements of the gospel, are qualified to “come” to Christ. While “coming” is the result of God’s “drawing,” by means of revealed truth, the term contains the implication that one has the ability, when the preliminary requisites are satisfied, to come to the Lord. Coming is not the result of divine compulsion; it derives from an intellectual and emotional decision to surrender to the Savior.
Simple logic provides a clear picture of the process. God “draws”; people “come.” Those who “come,” however, are those who have been “taught,” who have “heard” and “learned.” Hence it is perfectly transparent that God “draws” sincere people by means of gospel instruction by which people are taught, hear, and learn.
Jesus invited the people of certain cities in Galilee to “come unto me” (Matthew 11:28), and that invitation had resident within it the implied ability to yield. Why invite those to come, who simply cannot, due to an alleged depravity that holds them incapacitated by sin? In the final days prior to his crucifixion, Christ wept over the city of Jerusalem, lamenting the fact that though he had longed to gather them under his protective care, they “would not” (Matthew 23:37). There is a vast difference between “would not” and “could not.” However, if a stubborn person practices “I won’t” long enough, it can become “I can’t” (John 12:39). See also John 5:40 and Revelation 22:17 for the matter of free will.
Conclusion
When John 6:44-45 is rescued from the morass of sectarian theology, it becomes thrillingly fresh, invigorating the soul with instructive principles that guide one through the correct processes to the redemption that is through Christ. Let us study this methodology, exhort our contemporaries to pursue it, and rejoice when they become our kinsmen in the Lord.
Sources/Footnotes
Bernard, J. H. 1928. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel According to John. Vol. 1. Edinburgh, Scotland: T. & T. Clark.
Calvin, John. 1975a. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Calvin, John. 1975b. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Vol. 2. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Cottrell, Jack. 1996. The College Press NIV Commentary – Romans. Vol. 1. Joplin, MO: College Press.
Danker, F. W., et al. 2000. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago.
Hiebert, D. Edmond. 1971. The Thessalonian Epistles. Chicago, IL: Moody.
Kittel, Gerhard, ed. 1964. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Vol. 2. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Morris, Leon. 1995. The Gospel According to John – Revised Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Mounce, William D. 2007. Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Sproul, R. C. 1994. Chosen By God. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale.
Tenney, Merrill. 1981. The Gospel of John – The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Vol. 9. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Trench. R. C. 1890. Synonyms of the New Testament. London, England: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner, & Co.
Vine, W. E. 1991. Amplified Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Iowa Falls, IA: World Publishing.
Mike
With a most emphatic thrust of truth, the Master Teacher said:
No man can come to me, except the Father that sent me draws him: and I will raise him up in the last day. It is written in the prophets, “And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that has heard from the Father, and has learned, comes unto me” john (6:44-45).
It is upon this passage that we pause to focus our attention. The following points are worthy of serious reflection.
It is important to note first of all that Jesus appeals to the Old Testament (Isaiah 54:13) to buttress his argument. The term “prophets” is a general reference, much as when we say, “The Bible says . . .” The expression “it is written” (found eighty-two times in the New Testament, including parallels) always refers to a divine document, the validity of which is unequivocally affirmed.
The first clause of this sentence, “No man can come unto me, except the Father that sent me draw him,” has been one of the most abused texts of the New Testament for many centuries. For example, John Calvin taught that man is “so enslaved by the yoke of sin, that he cannot of his own nature aim at good either in wish or actual pursuit” (1975a, 265). Thus one “cannot possibly come to Christ unless drawn by the Spirit.” He is drawn “both in mind and spirit exalted far above [his] own understanding” (Ibid., 500). The drawing is not indirectly through the Scriptures, but “inwardly by the Spirit” (Ibid., 277). God works in the elect so as to “guide, turn, and govern [their] heart by his Spirit” (Ibid., 269). The “grace of God is insipid to men, until the Holy Spirit gives it its savor” (1975b, 253).
A careful examination of the passage, however, reveals the following facts.
The statement, “No man can come to me [Christ], except the Father that sent me draw him,” is explicit. The only route to Christ is by means of the “drawing” of God. But that does not completely explain the issue. Two questions are paramount: (a) Is the “drawing” by God irresistible; i.e., is the divine drawing an appeal to man’s mind (intellect and emotion), or is it a force so strong as to bypass “free will”? (b) Is the drawing miraculous, by the direct impulse of the Holy Spirit, or is it indirectly exerted through a divinely appointed means?
In his commentary on The Gospel According to John, the late Leon Morris argued that it is utterly impossible for a man to come to Christ on “his own volition”; rather God himself must initiate the action. He repudiated the idea that choice is “the free decision of man.” Calvin is quoted to the effect that the Spirit moves upon some, to turn them from unwilling to willing. It is alleged that God’s drawing power is always triumphant; it simply cannot be resisted (1995, 328-329).
This view is antagonistic to the teaching of the New Testament. First, the “drawing” is not by a force that is “irresistible,” as some claim (Sproul 1994, 69). Sproul cites Kittel on the word “draw” as meaning “an irresistible and supernatural force” (1964, 503), but this descriptive does not fit the biblical evidence. It is “commentary,” not “definition.” (For a discussion of the distinction between “draw” and “drag,” see: Trench 1890, section xxi; Vine 1991, on “drag”). If “draw” connoted an “irresistible force,” then all would be saved, for later in this Gospel narrative the Lord says: “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself” (12:32). The “drawing” is a beneficent pull. The Lord said to ancient Israel: “I have loved you with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn you” (Jeremiah 31:3; cf. Song of Solomon 1:4).
Second, in verse forty-five Jesus reveals precisely how God draws people to Christ. Quoting from the prophet Isaiah (54:13)—and possibly alluding to Jeremiah 31:34—the Lord employs four verbs to stress the personal volition of human beings and the method employed in their being “drawn” to him. They must be taught, hear, learn, and come. To ignore these inspired words is exegetically irresponsible.
(1) The term “taught” is from the adjective didaktos, found only twice in the Greek New Testament. The word has to do with “being taught, instructed” (Danker et al. 2000, 240). In 1 Corinthians 2:13 it is employed of the teaching that ultimately originates with the Holy Spirit but is made known by means of words through men who convey the message—either those inspired originally, or now by means of their words as recorded in Scripture. Professor Merrill Tenney wrote: “Verse 45 indicates that God would do his drawing through the Scriptures and that those who were obedient to God’s will as revealed in the Scriptures would come to Jesus” (1981, 76). Bernard observed that the “drawing” was by “being taught” (1928, 205).
Some appeal to 1 Thessalonians 4:9—”[Y]ou have no need to have any one write to you, for your yourselves have been taught of God”—in an attempt to establish the theory that the teaching is an internal, subjective instruction by the Spirit (Hiebert 1971, 178). The actual point here being made, however, is that the teaching regarding brotherly love had been done previously (in fact since their conversion and their comprehension that they all were “family” by virtue of a common “new birth”), and such an elementary matter did not need to be rehearsed in the present letter.
(2) The word “heard” is important for it is preliminary to “coming” to Christ. The verb is a past tense form of akouo. Mounce notes that there are at least five senses in which akouo is used in the New Testament. In this case, it is a hearing with a view to learning (2007, 327); to receive information about something (cf. Danker et al. 2000, 38).
(3) “Learn” derives from manthano, “to gain knowledge or skill by instruction” (Danker et al. 2000, 615). It involves more than mere exposure to information; it embraces the idea of processing that data. As Mounce observes, it “involves not only exposure to information but also comprehension” (2007, 397). It conveys the sense of “understanding” (cf. Matthew 9:13).
No one is qualified to “come to” Christ, or even needs to, if he is incompetent to understand the rudiments of the gospel (Romans 1:16). Paul’s statement in Romans 6:17 that gospel obedience is “from the heart” shows, among other things, “that our decision to surrender to God was our own choice and was not coerced or irresistibly imposed upon us” (Cottrell 1996, 413). This nullifies Calvinism’s dogma of predestination, and denominationalism’s practice of infant sprinkling.
(4) The fourth verb is “comes.” Only those who are “taught” the truth, listen intently with the motive of “learning,” and who understand the foundational elements of the gospel, are qualified to “come” to Christ. While “coming” is the result of God’s “drawing,” by means of revealed truth, the term contains the implication that one has the ability, when the preliminary requisites are satisfied, to come to the Lord. Coming is not the result of divine compulsion; it derives from an intellectual and emotional decision to surrender to the Savior.
Simple logic provides a clear picture of the process. God “draws”; people “come.” Those who “come,” however, are those who have been “taught,” who have “heard” and “learned.” Hence it is perfectly transparent that God “draws” sincere people by means of gospel instruction by which people are taught, hear, and learn.
Jesus invited the people of certain cities in Galilee to “come unto me” (Matthew 11:28), and that invitation had resident within it the implied ability to yield. Why invite those to come, who simply cannot, due to an alleged depravity that holds them incapacitated by sin? In the final days prior to his crucifixion, Christ wept over the city of Jerusalem, lamenting the fact that though he had longed to gather them under his protective care, they “would not” (Matthew 23:37). There is a vast difference between “would not” and “could not.” However, if a stubborn person practices “I won’t” long enough, it can become “I can’t” (John 12:39). See also John 5:40 and Revelation 22:17 for the matter of free will.
Conclusion
When John 6:44-45 is rescued from the morass of sectarian theology, it becomes thrillingly fresh, invigorating the soul with instructive principles that guide one through the correct processes to the redemption that is through Christ. Let us study this methodology, exhort our contemporaries to pursue it, and rejoice when they become our kinsmen in the Lord.
Sources/Footnotes
Bernard, J. H. 1928. A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Gospel According to John. Vol. 1. Edinburgh, Scotland: T. & T. Clark.
Calvin, John. 1975a. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Vol. 1. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Calvin, John. 1975b. Institutes of the Christian Religion. Vol. 2. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Cottrell, Jack. 1996. The College Press NIV Commentary – Romans. Vol. 1. Joplin, MO: College Press.
Danker, F. W., et al. 2000. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago.
Hiebert, D. Edmond. 1971. The Thessalonian Epistles. Chicago, IL: Moody.
Kittel, Gerhard, ed. 1964. Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. Vol. 2. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Morris, Leon. 1995. The Gospel According to John – Revised Edition. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Mounce, William D. 2007. Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Sproul, R. C. 1994. Chosen By God. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale.
Tenney, Merrill. 1981. The Gospel of John – The Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Vol. 9. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.
Trench. R. C. 1890. Synonyms of the New Testament. London, England: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner, & Co.
Vine, W. E. 1991. Amplified Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words. Iowa Falls, IA: World Publishing.
Mike
replied to: tojo
tojo
Replied to: Faith and Salvation in relationship to repentance any one have any...
Many thanks something to get on with
Im a brit where are you???
Im a brit where are you???
replied to: tojo
mvastano6164
Replied to: Many thanks something to get on with
Im a...
I am an American and live in New England.
Mike
Mike
replied to: mvastano6164
tojo
Replied to: I am an American and live in New England.
Mike
Thanks Mike
I live in Banbury near oxford(20 miles north) small country town. Nice to meet you
Richard
I live in Banbury near oxford(20 miles north) small country town. Nice to meet you
Richard
replied to: tojo
mvastano6164
Replied to: Thanks Mike
I live in Banbury near oxford(20 miles north)...
Hey Richard, I live in Rhode Island in a small town called Barrington. Are you a believer in the Christian tradition?
Mike
Mike
replied to: mvastano6164
tojo
Replied to: Hey Richard, I live in Rhode Island in a small...
Hi Mike been off for a while
Yes I am a practising catholic but by birth a methodist and a smattering of salvation army in my younger days.
I was for many years a non practising christian whom i feel there are many in this world.
To me it makes life as we see it mean something and that we all have a place in the world albeit small we each serve a purpose. The purpose is never easy to see and do but it gets us ready for our second life with God and jesus in a better world.
This purpose is human life some days / years good some not so but having faith eases us through these paths of life, using jesus as a staff and sheild.
Hope this makes some sort of sense
The weather here is very good for England how so in Rhode
God Bless You
Richard
Yes I am a practising catholic but by birth a methodist and a smattering of salvation army in my younger days.
I was for many years a non practising christian whom i feel there are many in this world.
To me it makes life as we see it mean something and that we all have a place in the world albeit small we each serve a purpose. The purpose is never easy to see and do but it gets us ready for our second life with God and jesus in a better world.
This purpose is human life some days / years good some not so but having faith eases us through these paths of life, using jesus as a staff and sheild.
Hope this makes some sort of sense
The weather here is very good for England how so in Rhode
God Bless You
Richard
replied to: tojo
silverglass
Replied to: Hi Mike been off for a while
Yes I...
Hey Richard, Glad to hear of your faith in Christ. You are right on the money concerning our place in this world and I also am looking forward to our time in glory. I have been thinking about our life in the future and it seems from what all the big thinkers say about this , scripture indicates we may be devoid of our own personality but still possess our own individuality. It seems we will all be exposed to extraordinary secrets of the almighty and will serve to reflect this to one another. Well, I do have my own pet theory concerning this and I have the feeling that we will be gifted individually and then serve to reflect this to one another. This may be saying the same thing. Whatever happens I am sure it will be joyous!
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
P.S. The weather here has been extremely hot and we have gone down as having experienced some of the hottest weather in June and record breaking heat waves in July. The air conditioners are going 24/7. Later, Mike
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
P.S. The weather here has been extremely hot and we have gone down as having experienced some of the hottest weather in June and record breaking heat waves in July. The air conditioners are going 24/7. Later, Mike