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 This
heading is not expected to arouse our readers to amazed
attention, although we are but a few generations removed from
the time when such may have happened. In fact there are large
denominations today with major doctrines, essential to their
creed, which can not abide a fair application of the
subject principle. But they will not be upset by our heading,
even if they should see it. Most of the “lay” members
have long ago ceased to know much about such particulars, or to
care.
Still,
we consider the matter relevant; we know it to be essential to a
proper grasp of God’s dealings with those who would learn his
will and obey Him. We believe in salvation by faith, as faith is
the base from whence all acceptable relations to God must
spring. But HOW does one obtain this faith?
A
traditional concept, basic to much Lutheran, Presbyterian, and
other doctrine, makes faith a “gift of God” — something
God directly puts in the heart of the individual. Man is thought
to be so depraved, so opposed to anything good, that direct
divine intervention is necessary to make man receptive to the
things of God.
But
reflection upon the very meaning of “faith” would show us
that it is an act of man’s, something man does. He “believes”
or refuses to “believe” evidence. If man is incapable
of accepting the evidence offered by God, then he could in no
wise be held accountable for such failure. If God just directly
and individually make Tom, Dick and Harry capable of believing,
then the fate of each man is wholly a matter of God’s choice,
and man is no free moral agent —
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he is but a pawn in God’s game of
chess — a game which He plays with Himself.
During
the early years of Barton W. Stone, as a Presbyterian preacher,
these were vexing thoughts. “ Often when I was addressing the
listening multitudes on the doctrine of total depravity, their
inability to believe — and of the necessity of the physical
power of God to produce faith; and then persuading the helpless
to repent and believe the gospel, my zeal in a moment would be
chilled at the contradiction. How can they believe? How can they
repent?... How can they be guilty in not doing them?”
But
Christ invites, “Come unto me. all ye that labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28) Is this an
empty, mocking invitation? In Matt. 13: 13-f, Christ chides some
because “their eyes ~ have closed:” but to others says,
Blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears. for they
hear.” The “whosoever believeth” of Jn. 3:16, and
“repent ye, and be baptized, every one of you“ of Acts 2:
38, are cumulative proofs of the freedom of man to accept divine
evidence, and divine grace. (emph.rt)
Salvation
is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8) and “faith” is given only in
that God produces and provides that which man must believe and
act upon.
Read
and appreciate Rom. 10:13-17. It denies Calvinism of the past,
and the subjective “faith” (?) of today. FAITH COMES BY
HEARING GOD’S WORD!!
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