IS HE OR ISN'T HE? PART 3. Anonymous also had a good comment to the sovereignty post. Here is that comment and my response, again in italics.
I am not questioning the sovereignty of God. However, I believe the Bible teaches that God does not necessarily have one particular person that we should (or must) marry. Paul, in I Corinthians 7:39, says that a widow is free to remarry "to whom she wishes" as long as he is "in the Lord." And in verse 40, I believe he says that she is free not to remarry. Now, what is even more interesting, is the fact that Paul uses a word in verse 39 that is translated "wishes". It can also be translated as "wills." That means that Paul used "free" and "will" in the same sentence. ;-) (I notice that Calvin did not comment on those verses in Institutes.)
This is a very interesting comment, Anonymous. The point of the passage is that a widow is released from the bond of marriage to her dead husband and may remarry. Some tried to hold the widow to her status forever even though they allowed men to remarry. Paul refuted that. She is “free” of the bond of marriage (but, good catch on the use of both words in one sentence!).
Although I see your point in the wording, Paul is not addressing the issue of God’s will, so I don’t think we can apply it beyond its context. In addition, he immediately restricts her to marrying a believer. Regardless, God could still direct her steps while she searches for a second husband. If he did not, it would mean he did not care whom she married.
As to the Institutes, they are not verse by verse expositions of the Scripture. It is a topical arrangement of his theology and practice. He did comment on this verse in his commentary on Corinthians.
If (since) God is truly sovereign, then everything involves God's will. If there is an issue that is outside God's will, then it would be outside His sovereignty.
ReplyDeleteLike you said, Paul is discussing a particular issue -- remarriage for a widow. However, I believe the principles may be applied to a first time (may I say) "selection" of a mate. In fact, Paul has just discussed how it is okay either for a person to marry or not to marry. If either is acceptable, that means there is a choice. Paul said in verse 25 that this is not a commandment from the Lord, but just his "judgment." If it is a judgment, we are free to consider the options and make our selection (with God's wisdom to guide us).
WOW. I just looked at verse 37. It talks about a father who has a daughter and is considering marrying her off. In 36, Paul says the man can do "what he wishes" concerning the situation -- marry her off or keep her around the house. But in 37, Paul says, "Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin does well." That phrase, "power over his own will" is what got the WOW. What does Calvin say about that?
I think this is what it comes down to. God is sovereign. He is in total and absolute control over all things. However, in some things, in His sovereignty, he has allowed a choice. Sometimes there is more than one "right" choice as well as one or more "wrong" choices. Asking God in prayer to lead us to the right choice is pleasing to God and he promises wisdom and the Holy Spirit to guide us. Choosing a wrong option is sin and separates us from God. Even in that, God can bring good from a bad choice -- one more evidence that He is God.
What do you think?
I do believe, however, that sometimes God, in His sovereignty, takes matters totally in His hands. With Paul, he had no choice but to do what God called him to do. Pharoah's heart was hardened to show God's glory. I do not understand that, but in my reading of the Bible, it happened that way. They had no choice. I think that is the exception rather than the rule.
ReplyDeleteI think this issue is one like the understanding of the Trinity. There is no adequate human explanation. We will only understand when we get to heaven -- if God chooses to explain!