Bible Question:
John, I found this study note on the Net Bible. What do you think about "Both of these positions have problems" as stated below? He does not wish for any to perish. This verse has been a battleground between Arminians and Calvinists. The former argue that God wants all people to be saved, but either through inability or restriction of his own sovereignty does not interfere with peoples’ wills. Some of the latter argue that the “any” here means “any of you” and that all the elect will repent before the return of Christ, because this is God’s will. Both of these positions have problems. The “any” in this context means “any of you.” (This can be seen by the dependent participle which gives the reason why the Lord is patient “toward you.”) There are hints throughout this letter that the readership may be mixed, including both true believers and others who are “sitting on the fence” as it were. But to make the equation of this readership with the elect is unlikely. This would seem to require, in its historical context, that all of these readers would be saved. But not all who attend church know the Lord or will know the Lord. Simon the Magician, whom Peter had confronted in Acts 8, is a case in point. This is evident in contemporary churches when a pastor addresses the congregation as “brothers, sisters, saints, etc.,” yet concludes the message with an evangelistic appeal. When an apostle or pastor addresses a group as “Christian” he does not necessarily think that every individual in the congregation is truly a Christian. Thus, the literary context seems to be against the Arminian view, while the historical context seems to be against (one representation of) the Calvinist view. The answer to this conundrum is found in the term “wish” (a participle in Greek from the verb boulomai). It often represents a mere wish, or one’s desiderative will, rather than one’s resolve. Unless God’s will is viewed on the two planes of his desiderative and decretive will (what he desires and what he decrees), hopeless confusion will result. The scriptures amply illustrate both that God sometimes decrees things that he does not desire and desires things that he does not decree. It is not that his will can be thwarted, nor that he has limited his sovereignty. But the mystery of God’s dealings with humanity is best seen if this tension is preserved. Otherwise, either God will be perceived as good but impotent or as a sovereign taskmaster. Here the idea that God does not wish for any to perish speaks only of God's desiderative will, without comment on his decretive will. |
Bible Answer: Dear Hank Jr., Welcome to the Forum! 2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. "patient toward you". "You" are those also called "beloved". This is a very strong indication that Paul has true believers in view. Assuming that there are weeds amongst the wheat does not alter the fact that the "beloved" are the elect. Elsewhere Paul has exhorted his audience to search their hearts to be certain of their calling and election. It is clear (at least to me) that the message is for believers alone. Paul knows already that the natural man is incapable of discerning spiritual things (1 Cor 2:14) so I see no need for him to point out the distinction between the two groups. "But the mystery of God’s dealings with humanity is best seen if this tension is preserved. Otherwise, either God will be perceived as good but impotent or as a sovereign taskmaster. Here the idea that God does not wish for any to perish speaks only of God's desiderative will, without comment on his decretive will." THe conclusion reached by the writer is worse than weak. It is meaningless! What does God care what people's perceptions are anyway. And after having presented the gospel, why should christians wring their hands over the blasphemies spewed from those who who are perishing. Yes we should plead with them and shed tears, pray for God's grace in their behalf. But merely presenting God as one that reflects their own values saves no one. They will simply find another rationalization for despising Him. John Reformed |