I've heard Calvinists say that God does not react to mankind, yet this happens in the bible (prayer being a clear example). There's also a place where God asks a man what he'd like him to do for man.
Genesis 18:25 "Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly? 26So the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account. 27And Abraham replied, "Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes."
Man questions God. God reacts and answers. It's clear that the context of this conversation between God and Abraham is not... Abraham shut up and obey. The context is Abraham can talk to God and expect God to react with an answer. The context is Abraham can question God's will. The context is Abraham can argue with God. And God is okay with this.
God reacts by listening to us and responding. He gives us the time and the day graciously. He is personal, not a "you shut up and do what I say kind of God" for a lack of better words. The situation between Abraham and God as described above seems really striking to me. If you read it carefully, I think it's extremely bold of Abraham... even though he is being humble by saying he is but "dust and ashes."
I think Abraham had some doubts about what God was doing. He was concerned with the death of innocent people definitely and perhaps the death of not so innocent people as well, but that is only a perhaps.
In other scriptures, there is a character by the name of Gideon. He also wondered and doubted if God was commanding him. God asked for a miracle. God reacted and gave Gideon a miracle. Judges 6:39 Then Gideon said to God, "Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew."
Like Abraham, Gideon showed humility... still seems audacious, but as you can see God gives mankind the time and the day, graciously. He listens and reacts to our prayers. According to Calvinism, this was a man that was regenerated and acted in his own nature-will. God reacted to him. God was not speaking to himself. He was speaking to two men, Abraham and Gideon.
Now, God asks mankind... Mark 10:51-52 "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see. Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Still really weird, Jesus asks a man "What do you want me to do for you?" The man reacts with an answer. Jesus then proceeds to do that thing he asked for.
Again, God reacts to mankind. If he did not react, then he could not interact with us.
If the Calvinist claims that God determined it so it just looks like He's reacting to humans, but it was always His will to have this particular situations, then I can't help that Calvinist. That would be nonsense. Just like it's nonsense to judge a printer for not playing music... just as it's nonsense to judge a man who can only sin... to do perfect goodness.
Genesis 18:25 "Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly? 26So the LORD said, "If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account. 27And Abraham replied, "Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes."
Man questions God. God reacts and answers. It's clear that the context of this conversation between God and Abraham is not... Abraham shut up and obey. The context is Abraham can talk to God and expect God to react with an answer. The context is Abraham can question God's will. The context is Abraham can argue with God. And God is okay with this.
God reacts by listening to us and responding. He gives us the time and the day graciously. He is personal, not a "you shut up and do what I say kind of God" for a lack of better words. The situation between Abraham and God as described above seems really striking to me. If you read it carefully, I think it's extremely bold of Abraham... even though he is being humble by saying he is but "dust and ashes."
I think Abraham had some doubts about what God was doing. He was concerned with the death of innocent people definitely and perhaps the death of not so innocent people as well, but that is only a perhaps.
In other scriptures, there is a character by the name of Gideon. He also wondered and doubted if God was commanding him. God asked for a miracle. God reacted and gave Gideon a miracle. Judges 6:39 Then Gideon said to God, "Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be covered with dew."
Like Abraham, Gideon showed humility... still seems audacious, but as you can see God gives mankind the time and the day, graciously. He listens and reacts to our prayers. According to Calvinism, this was a man that was regenerated and acted in his own nature-will. God reacted to him. God was not speaking to himself. He was speaking to two men, Abraham and Gideon.
Now, God asks mankind... Mark 10:51-52 "What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked him. The blind man said, "Rabbi, I want to see. Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Still really weird, Jesus asks a man "What do you want me to do for you?" The man reacts with an answer. Jesus then proceeds to do that thing he asked for.
Again, God reacts to mankind. If he did not react, then he could not interact with us.
If the Calvinist claims that God determined it so it just looks like He's reacting to humans, but it was always His will to have this particular situations, then I can't help that Calvinist. That would be nonsense. Just like it's nonsense to judge a printer for not playing music... just as it's nonsense to judge a man who can only sin... to do perfect goodness.
Last edited: