What is the doctrine of Reprobation?
The doctrine of reprobation I believe is the absolute hardest doctrine in all of scripture. It is so painful that many scholars and theologians do not discuss it. It has been my experience that only those in the Reformed or Calvinistic camps discuss the matter.
So, what is the doctrine of reprobation and is it Biblical?
In order to understand this doctrine one has to place it in juxtaposition to the doctrine of sovereign election. The doctrine of election as I have explained several times before is defined is that God before time and creation decided to foreknow and chose some to be recipients of his saving grace in time when he determined. In other words, exactly when God wanted, he would save them through the preaching of the gospel message - guaranteeing their salvation when they believed (Eph 1:4).
The doctrine of reprobation is that God before time decides not to choose others before the foundation of the world - leaving them in their sins to be judged by God at the end of time and ultimately perish in hell.
So, what is the doctrine of reprobation and is it Biblical?
In order to understand this doctrine one has to place it in juxtaposition to the doctrine of sovereign election. The doctrine of election as I have explained several times before is defined is that God before time and creation decided to foreknow and chose some to be recipients of his saving grace in time when he determined. In other words, exactly when God wanted, he would save them through the preaching of the gospel message - guaranteeing their salvation when they believed (Eph 1:4).
The doctrine of reprobation is that God before time decides not to choose others before the foundation of the world - leaving them in their sins to be judged by God at the end of time and ultimately perish in hell.
Now one can understand why this teaching is the most offensive of all doctrines - it offends our sensibilities and it casts a shadow of apparent unfairness, unrighteous, and unloving views of our creator. It is our natural tendency to reject and ridicule things we do not understand, dislike or even hate them. And believe me, this doctrine is hated. That is why it is important that we examine it to see if it is Biblical or not.
The word reprobation comes from the word reprobate which means not standing the test and to be rejected in the original Greek. The Bible does talk about some having a reprobate mind in Romans 1:28. Titus 1:16 says some people are reprobate.
So in the doctrine of reprobation (assuming it is true), there are those whom God decides in eternity past to pass over. Now I realize to the human mind this has massive implications.
The billion dollar question is why would God do this?
Apparently, it must be God's will not to save everyone. This reasoning, of course, raises more questions than it answers I'm sure.
One of the main questions is, "If God decided in eternity past to pass by some sinners to ultimately perish in their sins why create them in the first place?" In other words what benefit does God get by creating those he never intended to save? I'll answer the question later in the article.
Here is another question I need to present to the reader: Since some people are non-elect can they still respond positively to the gospel and be saved? My question and answer to this question is if the non-elect can believe and be saved when they hear the gospel, then I would argue that their salvation was not a gift of grace by God, but rather a work of self-righteousness by the sinner. I will put it another way, man chooses God, so God chooses man once he believed. And yet another way to put it: the faith of man compelled God to choose him in time. Or the faith of man dictated election. This reasoning is unbiblical because it shows man being proactive in salvation and God reactive. Ephesians 1:4 tells us that we were chosen before (italics mine) the foundation of the world. No one is chosen after the foundation of the world.
So, back to the question of, "If God in eternity past decided to pass by some sinners, reserve them for judgment and wrath in time - that they ultimately perish in sin, then why create them in the first place?" My answer is even the wicked serve a purpose in this world. Proverbs 16:4 tells us, "God has created all things for himself even the wicked for the day of evil" As bizarre as it may sound, evil people serve God even in their rebellion and unbelief! No one is here by accident. Somehow God's sovereignty allows for the wicked to behave wickedly. God uses their evil to bring about good that will glorify himself. Does God desire that man rebels? No. That is why he punishes us when we sin. But, he allows it otherwise evil could never occur. God has given man the free will to choose good or evil. When man obeys God, all generally goes well with him. When he rebels, he should fear because God's wrath abides on him (John 3:36).
The archetypical person the Bible describes as one who God raised up to display his power so that his name could be made known throughout all the earth was Pharoah. This is what the Apostle Paul said in Romans 9:17-18, for the scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed throughout the whole Earth". So then he (i.e. God) has mercy on whom he desires (emphasis added), and he hardens whom he desires.
What does this mean? Pharaoh was an evil man who God reserved for divine judgment. He was not chosen to be a recipient of God's grace. Seem unfair? No, it is not. Pharaoh was a sinner who hated the true God and enslaved his people the Hebrews. God simply gave the man what he deserved, divine justice for his sins. God decided before time began not to elect Pharoah, but rather reserve him for judgment. In other words, the Lord hardened Pharoah.
Reprobation is God's just retribution on unredeemed sinners. Had God chose to do so, he could have elected every person that would ever live to be saved. In his perfect wisdom, he did not. Why? God will be glorified in his judgment and wrath on the unregenerate (Rom 9:22). Once again, this is his holy justice against evil mankind that hates their perfect creator. We punish criminals that break our laws in the earth realm. We even execute those who deserve to die for their crimes do we not? How much more will God destroy those who have committed crimes against heaven? Divine justice is not only fair, it is absolutely necessary! God would violate his own holiness if he did not punish evil men.
What is utterly amazing of our creator is that he willfully chose some, an innumerable mass of sinful, undeserving, wretched humanity to receive his kingdom because he delights in doing so. One of the most tender loving verses in the Bible comes from our Lord Jesus who said, "Do not be afraid little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom" (Luke 12:32).
The writer believes sufficient evidence has been presented that proves that reprobation exists. To the natural human mind, it is a repulsive doctrine. Most Christians reject this doctrine alone with divine election. We have not been taught these precious truths in our Churches growing up until the present time so to most, they are offensive because they believe it casts a shadow on God's omnibenevolent nature. What I will do in my next article is try to explain the complaints many bring up regarding preaching the gospel from a reformed perspective.
The word reprobation comes from the word reprobate which means not standing the test and to be rejected in the original Greek. The Bible does talk about some having a reprobate mind in Romans 1:28. Titus 1:16 says some people are reprobate.
So in the doctrine of reprobation (assuming it is true), there are those whom God decides in eternity past to pass over. Now I realize to the human mind this has massive implications.
The billion dollar question is why would God do this?
Apparently, it must be God's will not to save everyone. This reasoning, of course, raises more questions than it answers I'm sure.
One of the main questions is, "If God decided in eternity past to pass by some sinners to ultimately perish in their sins why create them in the first place?" In other words what benefit does God get by creating those he never intended to save? I'll answer the question later in the article.
Here is another question I need to present to the reader: Since some people are non-elect can they still respond positively to the gospel and be saved? My question and answer to this question is if the non-elect can believe and be saved when they hear the gospel, then I would argue that their salvation was not a gift of grace by God, but rather a work of self-righteousness by the sinner. I will put it another way, man chooses God, so God chooses man once he believed. And yet another way to put it: the faith of man compelled God to choose him in time. Or the faith of man dictated election. This reasoning is unbiblical because it shows man being proactive in salvation and God reactive. Ephesians 1:4 tells us that we were chosen before (italics mine) the foundation of the world. No one is chosen after the foundation of the world.
So, back to the question of, "If God in eternity past decided to pass by some sinners, reserve them for judgment and wrath in time - that they ultimately perish in sin, then why create them in the first place?" My answer is even the wicked serve a purpose in this world. Proverbs 16:4 tells us, "God has created all things for himself even the wicked for the day of evil" As bizarre as it may sound, evil people serve God even in their rebellion and unbelief! No one is here by accident. Somehow God's sovereignty allows for the wicked to behave wickedly. God uses their evil to bring about good that will glorify himself. Does God desire that man rebels? No. That is why he punishes us when we sin. But, he allows it otherwise evil could never occur. God has given man the free will to choose good or evil. When man obeys God, all generally goes well with him. When he rebels, he should fear because God's wrath abides on him (John 3:36).
The archetypical person the Bible describes as one who God raised up to display his power so that his name could be made known throughout all the earth was Pharoah. This is what the Apostle Paul said in Romans 9:17-18, for the scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I raised you up, to demonstrate my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed throughout the whole Earth". So then he (i.e. God) has mercy on whom he desires (emphasis added), and he hardens whom he desires.
What does this mean? Pharaoh was an evil man who God reserved for divine judgment. He was not chosen to be a recipient of God's grace. Seem unfair? No, it is not. Pharaoh was a sinner who hated the true God and enslaved his people the Hebrews. God simply gave the man what he deserved, divine justice for his sins. God decided before time began not to elect Pharoah, but rather reserve him for judgment. In other words, the Lord hardened Pharoah.
Reprobation is God's just retribution on unredeemed sinners. Had God chose to do so, he could have elected every person that would ever live to be saved. In his perfect wisdom, he did not. Why? God will be glorified in his judgment and wrath on the unregenerate (Rom 9:22). Once again, this is his holy justice against evil mankind that hates their perfect creator. We punish criminals that break our laws in the earth realm. We even execute those who deserve to die for their crimes do we not? How much more will God destroy those who have committed crimes against heaven? Divine justice is not only fair, it is absolutely necessary! God would violate his own holiness if he did not punish evil men.
What is utterly amazing of our creator is that he willfully chose some, an innumerable mass of sinful, undeserving, wretched humanity to receive his kingdom because he delights in doing so. One of the most tender loving verses in the Bible comes from our Lord Jesus who said, "Do not be afraid little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom" (Luke 12:32).
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