Problem: Calvinist interpreters argue that this passage teaches unconditional election. Others go further and claim that this supports the concept of double predestination. Is this the case?
05
Aug
2021
04
Aug
2021
Rom 9:17-19 – Is this passage saying that God will harden people’s hearts to keep them from receiving Christ?
Problem: Calvinistic interpreters understand this entire section to refer to God’s unconditional election and irresistible grace for individual people (vv.17-23). Other Calvinists go further, arguing that this refers to double predestination. Is this the case?
03
Aug
2021
Rom 9:17 – God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. Is that right?
Problem: God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. Is that right?
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.’ 18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.”
02
Aug
2021
Rom 9:17—How can Pharaoh be free if God hardened his heart?
Problem: God said 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” (Rom. 9:17, nasb). In fulfillment of this, it says that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart (Ex. 4:21; cf. Ex. 7:3). But if God raised up Pharaoh and even hardened his heart to accomplish His divine purposes, then isn’t Pharaoh exempt from responsibility for his actions? Continue reading →
01
Aug
2021
Rom 9:13 – Does God “hate” unborn babies?
Problem: Citing Malachi 1:2-3, Paul writes, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated” (Rom. 9:13). Does God hate unborn babies?
31
Jul
2021
Rom 9:5 – Does this passage support the deity of Christ?
Problem: Paul writes, “From whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever” (Rom. 9:5). Is this referring to Jesus being God?
30
Jul
2021
Rom 9:3 – Does Paul really want to go to hell, so that his Jewish friends could go to heaven?
Problem: Paul states that he would want to be “accursed,” so that his Jewish friends could know the love of Christ. What is going on in this passage?
29
Jul
2021
Rom 8:36 – Why does Paul quote Psalm 44:22?
Problem: Psalm 44 begins with the psalmist recounting God’s faithfulness with Israel in the past (vv.1-8). But then the psalmist points out that God has allowed his people to be thrown into exile and judgment (vv.9-16). This makes the psalmist wonder how they could be suffering, if they have remained so faithful to God (v.17-21). It is in this context that the psalmist writes, “But for Your sake we are killed all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered” (v.22). It ends with a plea to God to rescue them from their enemies.
28
Jul
2021
Rom 8:29-30 – Is this passage teaching predestination?
Problem: Calvinistic interpreters argue that Paul is teaching predestination and irresistible grace in this passage. Is this the case?
27
Jul
2021
Rom 8:26-27 – Does this refer to speaking in tongues?
Problem: Paul writes, “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Rom. 8:26-27). Pentecostal theologians hold that this refers to speaking in tongues. Is this the case?