Calvinism 101: Session 8
Vessels of Wrath, Vessels of Mercy
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” – Romans 9:17
Recap of Romans 9 So Far
- Has God’s Word Failed?
No, because not all Israel are Israel—there is a remnant of Israel elected by God (Rom 9:6-13) - On What Basis Does God Choose this Remnant?
On the basis of God’s own purposes, not the works, willing, or effort of human beings (9:11-12, 16) - Does this Make God Unjust?
No, because in choosing according to His own purposes, not the qualifications or conditions of mankind, God preserves His own sovereign freedom—He will be gracious to who He will be gracious, He is who He is, not who we make Him to be through our own actions or choices. - What is Justice, then?
For Paul, righteousness/justice is God’s unswerving commitment to always act in accordance with the highest good in the universe—which is His own glory.
Since God’s unconditional election preserves His sovereign freedom as God, then His choosing of some and not others does not compromise His justice.
The Potter and the Clay
19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? (Rom 9:19-21)
- Notice, while Paul provides a defense of God’s justice in Romans 9:14-18, he doesn’t think that his answer there will stop all questions. Some will still look at that and say: That isn’t fair.
- Another reminder: if we reformulate God’s election in such a way that all offensive edges are sanded off, we likely have left Paul’s definition.
- Another reminder: if we reformulate God’s election in such a way that all offensive edges are sanded off, we likely have left Paul’s definition.
- The charge: “Why does God find fault? For who can resist his will?”
- It is according to God’s will—not man’s—that God hardens or shows mercy. “So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills,” (Rom 9:18).
- Important to remember—God’s hardening is just as unconditional as his electing. His “finding fault” isn’t the basis of his passing over individuals for salvation. The “fault” is the fruit of their life. But the imagined interlocuter here is saying: If it is God’s will to harden someone, and then God judges them for the sin in their life that, how is that fair?
- It is according to God’s will—not man’s—that God hardens or shows mercy. “So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills,” (Rom 9:18).
- Paul’s response: But who are you, O man, to answer back to God?
- Think of Job: “But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God…” (Job 13:3)
- 1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: 2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?... And the LORD said to Job: 2 “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.” (Job 38:1-7, 40:1-2)
- “Then Job answered the LORD and said: 4 “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. 5 I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.” (Job 40:3-5; see also Job 42:1-6)
- Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?”
- You turn things upside down! Shall the potter be regarded as the clay, that the thing made should say of its maker, “He did not make me”; or the thing formed say of him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? (Isa 29:16)
- Woe to him who strives with him who formed him, a pot among earthen pots! Does the clay say to him who forms it, ‘What are you making?’ or ‘Your work has no handles’? (Isa 45:9)
- See also Isa 64:8; Jer 18:6
- Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?
- What “rights” does God possess over His creation?
- Notice: the different vessels are formed from the “same lump.”
Vessels of Wrath, Vessels of Mercy
22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory. (Rom 9:22-23)
- What’s the deal with the “What if…”?
- Common way to speak
- Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? (John 6:62)
- This kind of speech assumes that you supply the “then” clause yourself. What if God desiring to show…(assumed answer: then He would not be at fault.)
- What does God desire in this verse?
- To show wrath and make known his power
- with “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” (9:17)
- with “For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” (9:17)
- How will God do that?
- By enduring with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction
- Compare with Romans 2:4-5
- Or, consider how Abraham is told that his descendants will need to wait to inherit the land of Canaan: “And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” (Gen 15:16; see also Dan 8:23; Matt 23:32; 1 Thess 2:16)
- The moral dilemma of the Bible: How long, O Lord? (Rev 6:9-11)
- By enduring with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction
- Why does God do that?
- Why does God bear with much patience vessels prepared for destruction to show his power and wrath? Why do that?
- What is the ground of everything God is doing?
- “in order to make know the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory.”
- God’s ultimate purpose: to exalt His glory in saving vessels of mercy.
- “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” (Eph 1:4-6)
- So, the purpose of God’s judgment on vessels of wrath is to further accentuate and emphasize the glory of His mercy poured out on vessels of mercy.
- Mercy, not judgement, is the emphasis.
- To show wrath and make known his power
- Common way to speak
Summary of Unconditional Election
Before time, God freely chose certain individuals to be saved and receive mercy and God passed over other individuals, not saving them but demonstrating His justice and wrath. This decision is unconditional, it does not depend on the persons, but on God’s own purposes—purposes He has chosen to not reveal to us.
- “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deut 29:29)
How might other Christians from different traditions interpret election?
The Bible teaches…
- God is omnipotent: “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases,’ (Ps 115:3)
- God desires all persons to be saved: “[God] desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth,” (1 Tim 2:4; 2 Pet 3:9)
- Not all persons are saved: “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many,” (Matt 7:13; Rev 20:11-15)
- Therefore, all Christian traditions must reconcile how an omnipotent God can desire something, yet it not occur.
All orthodox Christians reconcile this by positing that there must be something that God desires more than the salvation of all persons.
- Arminians suggest: God ultimately desires that human nature would be uncoerced upon entering into a relationship with God.
- Calvinists suggest: God ultimately desires that only the elect will be saved.
- The question for us: what does God love most? Persons or human nature?
The Bible teaches…
- God is omniscient: “I am God, and there is none like me, 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,” (Isa 46:9-10)
- God knows that not all persons He creates will be saved
- God still creates persons
- Therefore, all Christian traditions must admit that God chooses to create individuals who are destined for destruction.
Arminians attempt to defend God by claiming that He doesn’t send them to Hell, they choose to do so—yet, by God still creating those who He knows will choose to go Hell, He functionally does the same thing as the Calvinist conception.
