God's Sovereignty: Chosen By God with R.C. Sproul

Summary

In this session on the doctrine of predestination, the speaker emphasizes God's sovereignty as a central tenet of Christian belief. He discusses the Westminster Confession's affirmation that God ordains everything that happens, challenging those who believe in a non-sovereign God. The discussion delves into the practical implications of God's absolute control over creation, including how even the smallest events reflect His will. The speaker explores God's options for salvation, addressing concerns about fairness and mercy in a fallen world. Ultimately, he argues that God's sovereignty ensures salvation for some, leaving others to face justice without injustice or sin.

Takeaways

• 😀 The sovereignty of God is a central doctrine that all Christians agree on, though interpretations may vary.
• 😀 The Westminster Confession of Faith affirms that God has ordained everything that comes to pass from all eternity.
• 😀 A person's belief or rejection of God's sovereignty is fundamental to their view of God and can even affect their classification as a theist or atheist.
• 😀 If anything happens outside God's foreordination, it would imply that God is not sovereign over all events in the universe.
• 😀 The distinction between God's efficacious and permissive wills helps explain how God's sovereignty interacts with human actions and freedom.
• 😀 A 'maverick molecule' in the universe running outside God's sovereignty would challenge the fulfillment of God's promises and the eventual return of Christ.
• 😀 God’s sovereignty does not negate human freedom, and the Westminster Confession asserts that God ordains all events without violating human will or liberty.
• 😀 The problem of evil and human suffering, particularly how God allows people to perish, is a significant theological challenge, especially in a fallen world.
• 😀 There are four possible ways God could interact with a fallen world: He could provide no opportunity for salvation, provide an opportunity for some, intervene for some, or intervene for all.
• 😀 The Augustinian position asserts that God predestines some for salvation, ensuring their salvation by His sovereignty, while others are left to their own fallen will.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of the study in this transcript?

The primary focus of the study is on the sovereignty of God, particularly in the context of predestination.

Why does the speaker emphasize the sovereignty of God at the beginning of the discussion?

The speaker emphasizes the sovereignty of God because it is a point of agreement among virtually all Christians, even though there may be differences in how it is understood.

What does the Westminster Confession of Faith state about God's sovereignty?

The Westminster Confession of Faith states that God, from all eternity, by His wise and holy counsel, freely and immutably ordained everything that comes to pass.

How does the speaker challenge the students' belief in the sovereignty of God?

The speaker challenges the students by asking them why they don't believe in the statement from the Westminster Confession and pointing out that rejecting God's sovereignty would imply atheism.

What is the significance of the phrase 'maverick molecule' in the discussion?

The phrase 'maverick molecule' refers to the idea that if even one thing in the universe occurs outside the sovereignty of God, it would imply that God's sovereignty is compromised, which would make all divine promises uncertain.

What is the distinction between God's 'efficacious will' and 'permissive will'?

God's 'efficacious will' refers to His will that directly causes things to happen, while 'permissive will' refers to God's decision to allow certain things to happen, even if they are not directly willed by Him.

What does the speaker suggest would happen if God were not sovereign?

If God were not sovereign, the speaker suggests that He would not truly be God, and the entire framework of the Christian faith would collapse.

How does the speaker address the problem of evil and God's sovereignty?

The speaker acknowledges the problem of evil but emphasizes that God's sovereignty does not mean He directly causes evil; rather, He allows it to happen, yet retains control over the overall course of history.

What are the four options God could choose in relation to a fallen world?

The four options are: 1) God could provide no opportunity for salvation, 2) He could provide an opportunity for all or some to be saved, 3) He could ensure the salvation of everyone, or 4) He could ensure the salvation of only some.

What is the Augustinian view of predestination according to the speaker?

The Augustinian view of predestination is that God sovereignly elects and ensures the salvation of certain individuals, while others are passed over and are not saved.