The
danger in trying to systematize theology is that, when we believe that we have
found the system that ties all of God's revelation together, we are tempted to
"fill in the gaps" when we fail to encounter Scripture that
adequately supports the propositions of our theology, or, even worse, when we
encounter scriptures that seem to be in opposition to our theological ideas.
One
way we do this is by redefining words so that they expand to fill the “gaps” in
Scripture, or so that they no longer seem juxtaposed to our theological
positions.
Words like “sovereignty” are redefined in terms
of absolute control, rather than of power or authority.
Words like “faith” are redefined in terms of
commitment and perseverance, rather than of assurance and conviction.
Words like “grace” are redefined in terms of
inevitability, rather than of favor, mercy, or goodwill.
Another
way we do this is by inventing new concepts to fill in the “gaps” in Scriptures that seem to contradict our deeply held convictions.
When God’s expressed will that all men be saved
contradicts our notions of His sovereign will in election, we invent the
concept of a “secret” will that seems opposed to, but is really in harmony with
God’s expressed will.
When God’s assertion that “many are called, but
few are chosen” seems to disagree with our deeply held idea that all whom God
calls are chosen, we invent the notion of a “secret inward call,” distinct from
the outward call of the preached Gospel, and given only to a select few chosen
out from before time.
Shame
on us!
Shame
on us for not taking God at His Word and believing that he really does want our
wretched neighbor, boss, or sister to be saved!
Shame
on us for convincing ourselves that election means that preaching the Gospel
doesn’t matter, when God says that it does.
Shame
on us for subordinating God’s Holy Word to the fallible precepts of men.
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