Contradiction or Paradox?

Contradiction by definition: a statement or phrase whose parts are incongruent with one another; i.e. “that car is pretty ugly!” Well it cannot be both, it is either pretty or ugly.

Paradox by definition: Two ideas that on the surface oppose each other but with closer examination and some background of the matter being discussed discover the ideas deliver a congruent truth; i.e. “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live yet not I, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the flesh I live by the faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). 

This verse on the surface is full of contradictions but it is not. First, Paul Is saying when Christ died we died; not literally, but spiritually. Paul is saying the old man he used to be prior to his conversion with Christ died. Remember the scripture says if any man is in Christ he is a new creation (italics added for emphasis). Old things are passed away, all things have been made new (2 Cor 5:21). Then Paul seems to contradict himself again when he says, “nevertheless I live yet not I, but Christ lives in me.” Well, which is it Paul? Are you living or is it Christ? Looking at this face value Paul seems to be confused but he is not. This is what he means. Both Paul and Christ are living together in this new life. Since Christ dwells inside of Paul by faith, Paul is declaring that his new life is now hidden in Jesus Christ. Whereas at first he was living for himself and his own desires, he now has surrendered his life over to God. In order for Paul or any believer to live the Christian life successfully, we MUST not do it on our own. We must identify with Christ in death and in life.                

Hopefully this explanation dispels the confusion in this verse. It is not a contradiction, but it is definitely a paradox. When Paul says he lives and yet not I, but Christ lives in him, he’s giving recognition and homage to the God who saved him. The power of God is now working in him so that he pleases God in this new walk.  We have to live our new life in our bodies, but simultaneously we have to sow to the Spirit by faith and depend on the Lord to see us through.

What about divine election and human responsibility, aren’t they mutually opposed?

This matter is always will deliver tension to us, but I am glad the tension is there. Let me explain. The idea that God chose some for salvation in eternity past is a wonderful thing. For if he didn’t, no one would ever get saved. With that being said, those who are chosen still have to respond positively to the call of the gospel, repent, believe and become saved. On the surface this may appear to be a contradiction – that is God choosing us and man choosing God for the same thing – salvation.  Many will say, “if God is choosing some for salvation then what is the point in preaching the gospel to them and them choosing the Lord? They are going to be saved no matter what right?”

That is a valid question. The fact of the matter is that those whom God has chosen in eternity past for salvation will be saved at the precise moment in time God determines, but they cannot receive that salvation without the gospel message being preached to them. The good Lord has supplied the means, and the ends to those means. What are they? The means is the preacher and the gospel  they must preach in order for God’s lost sheep to be found and brought into his fold (John 10:16).

The ends in question is the salvation of all the elect. So in the final analysis, God chooses man so that man can choose God. It is never the other way around. God makes His choice of man before time (Eph 1:4), whereas man chooses God in time. Once again, not a contradiction, but definitely a paradox. Divine election and human responsibility in redemption are parallel truths that work together.

Hopefully I have explained the tension between the two.

The Bible says God desires that all men are saved and that He is not willing that any should perish. Since that is the case, then why does God allow people to perish and not save everyone?

This is a very complex question that many can answer way better than I can. This I can say is that no one can completely answer this question. There will always be some ambiguity and mystery that we cannot resolve due to our limited knowledge of God. In I Timothy 2:4 it says God desires that all men be saved and come into the knowledge of the truth. In Ezekiel 33:11 it says that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked would turn from their way and live. Turn turn from your evil ways! For why should you die O house of Israel?

Once again, it appears to be dealing with a contradiction in God’s word and character. Since God is all powerful and can do whatever He wants, why doesn’t He just save everyone? That way He fulfills His own desires right? It is obvious that God loves all men, and wants them all to repent. That is why He commands that the gospel is preached to all men that hopefully they will believe and be saved. God desiring that all be saved is His will of desire. This will of God is disappointed by the disobedience of mankind This proves we have a free will. Another component of God’s will is what I heard someone call His will of disposition – that what pleases Him. Although God desires that all men be saved ultimately God will do what gives Him pleasure and what will most glorify Himself. This is where the tension between the will of man and of God I believe reach a fever pitch. Here is why. Man for some reason believes he has the right to tell God what He should do regarding His own creation. In the unregenerate eyes God is “obligated” to treat everyone the same way all the time. For in their mind that is what is fair; in others words, “God if you saved some, you should save all!” When God does not do this, man is angry with God. Why are they mad? Because God refuses to be imprisoned by man’s definition of fairness.

Not to treat everyone the same makes God a respecter of persons many would say. Yes God desires that all come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved, but if the Lord did that, He is unable to display His wrath against those who hate Him. God is also prohibited from executing His justice as well. He would not get a chance to punish His enemies which must be a higher desire than His will of desire to save all men. Yes it is true God does not take pleasure in the death of wicked. It causes God sorrow, but at the same time it is just, right and good that He punishes evil doers for the end result is He is magnified by doing so. Don’t we all rest easier when criminals are either incarcerated or executed for their crimes against humanity?

When it comes to men perishing and God not saving them, the blame can never be placed at God’s door step; it is man’s fault every time. If God is commanding all to repent, then He is wanting all to come, but most are unwilling to come, and thus sealing their own doom.

God is not desiring that any die. Jesus wept over Jerusalem when He desired they come to Him and they refused (Matt 23:38; Luke 19:41-44). Men are not saved and perish because they refuse to repent and believe the gospel. They will not believe that Jesus Christ is the only Way, Truth and Life (John 14:6). Man has been given clear knowledge of the truth of God through creation and beyond, but they have decided to suppress that truth in unrighteousness – they are without excuse (Romans 1:18-32). God must and will judge the wicked for their wickedness. Think about it logically, since Jesus is the only way to eternal life and peace, to refuse that blessing only leaves one alternative, God’s eternal judgment. These are the only choices man has ever had in this life.

God is not preventing anyone from coming to Him, but it is the nature of man to run away and rebel against God. Another way to look at all of this is God does not save all men because most men do not desire Biblical salvation. Why would God save someone who does not desire to be saved? Notice again what the scripture says in I Timothy 2:4, God desires all men to be saved. It does not say that men themselves desire to be saved. Salvation only becomes an issue when some hear someone else talks about how Jesus saved them and the glorious eternal peace of heaven. The wicked superficially desire that same salvation because they feel they are entitled to it; not because they realize they are an undeserving sinner and their need to repent. The wicked believe they deserve to go to heaven. Actually the opposite is true – we all deserve to go to hell.

Concluding, admittedly this last debate is hard to reconcile. Hopefully I treated it with some clarity. The reader must understand that we cannot answer adequately all the mysterious doctrines in the scripture. Lets quickly review: God desires to save all men, but does not save all because of man’s unbelief. Could God overcome man’s stubborn resistance? Yes.  Does He not have all power? Yes. Why doesn’t He? Though it may be God’s desire to save all men and for them not to perish, it apparently is not His ultimate desire. His ultimate desire is to glorify Himself. This mean as much as it gives God glory to save some, it also gives God glory to punish others. God does not rejoice in the destruction of the wicked, but it is good that He reserves the unrighteous for His holy wrath and judgment. 

Addendum 9/16/15 -  Two perspectives

When dealing with the matters of God’s election and His punishment (also called reprobation), we have two schools of thought. There is the Arminian view, and the Reformed (often referred to as the Calvinistic) view. The Arminian says that God desires to save all men, but does not because He values man’s will greater than His own. In other words, man gets to cast the deciding vote regarding his salvation or his reprobation. In the Reformed view, God desires to save all men, but God reserves the right to do what ultimately pleases Him and gives Him glory. The latter view is supported by scripture and the view the writer leans to (Romans 9; Ephesians 1:5,9).

Jesus said in Matthew 11:25-26, “I thank You Father, Lord of heaven and earth that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent (the religious leaders), and have revealed them to babes (the disciples). Even so Father for so it seemed good in Your sight (italics added).

Jesus is thanking God the Father because He has made known to babies the truth of the Messiah because it pleased the Lord to do so. Reiterating the point that God will ultimately will do what pleases Himself; to the praise of His glory.