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Robert Turner
This heading is not expected to arouse our readers to amazed attention
, although we are but a few generations removed from the time when such
may have happened. In fact there are large denominations today with major
doctrines, essential to their creed, which can not abide a fair application
of the subject principle. But they will not be upset by our heading, even
if they should see it. Most of the "lay" members have long ago
ceased to know much about such particulars, or to care.
Still, we consider the matter relevant; we know it to be essential
to a proper grasp of God's dealings with those who would learn his will
and obey Him. We believe in salvation by faith, as faith is the base from
whence all acceptable relations to God must spring. But HOW does one obtain
this faith?
A traditional concept, basic to much Lutheran, Presbyterian, and other
doctrine, makes faith a "gift of God"-- something God directly
puts in the heart of the individual. Man is thought to be so depraved,
so opposed to anything good, that direct divine intervention is necessary
to make man receptive to the things of God.
But reflection upon the very meaning of "faith" would show
us that it is an act of man's, something man does. He "believes"
or refuses to "believe" evidence. If man is incapable
of accepting the evidence offered by God, then he could in no wise
be held accountable for such failure. If God must directly and individually
make Tom, Dick and Harry capable of believing, then the fate of
each man is wholly a matter of God's choice, and man is no free moral agent--
he is but a pawn in God's game of chess-- a game which He plays with Himself.
During the early years of Barton W. Stone, as a Presbyterian preacher,
these were vexing thoughts. "Often when I was addressing the listening
multitudes on the doctrine of total depravity, their inability to believe
--and of the necessity of the physical power of God to produce faith; and
then persuading the helpless to repent and believe the gospel, my zeal
in a moment would be chilled at the contradiction. How can they believe?
How can they repent?... How can they be guilty in not doing them?"
But Christ invites, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest." (Matt. 11:28) Is this an empty,
mocking invitation? In Matt. 13: 13-f. Christ chides some because "their
eyes they have closed; "but to others says, "Blessed are
your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear." The "whosoever
believeth" of Jn. 3:16, and "repent ye, and be baptized,
every one of you" of Acts 2: 38, are cumulative proofs of the
freedom of man to accept divine evidence, and divine grace. (emph.rt)
Salvation is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8) and "faith" is given
only in that God produces and provides that which man must believe
and act upon.
Read and appreciate Rom. 10:13-17. It denies Calvinism of the past,
and the subjective "faith" (?) of today. FAITH COMES BY HEARING
GOD'S WORD!!
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