Comments on: D.A. Carson and C.H. Spurgeon on Compatibilism

By: D.A. Carson coming to Union University in April « who am i?

D.A. Carson coming to Union University in April « who am i? — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 16:47:10 +0000

[...] D.A. Carson and C.H. Spurgeon on Compatibilism [...]

By: More D.A. Carson audio « who am i?

More D.A. Carson audio « who am i? — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 03:31:59 +0000

[...] you didn’t listen to those two sermons, you can go back and download those from my post on compatibilism. If you’ve never listened to anything by Carson, try listening to those messages first. I [...]

By: Barry Wallace

Barry Wallace — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:59:18 +0000

David, Andy, Laurie, Derek, Wow. Your comments have all been excellent, and have added some really humbling as well as encouraging insights to the original post. I fret and struggle and marvel and worship right along with the rest of you. I'm glad to have your company on the journey.

By: Derek Ashton

Derek Ashton — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:12:17 +0000

In my previous comment, I said people with strong intellectual pride cannot accept this doctrine. To balance out that comment, I have to admit that I haven’t got intellectual pride beat just because I hold to compatibilism – it still crops up. And there are plenty of other – perhaps worse – kinds of pride to struggle with also. Still, for me, compatibilism has been used of God to cut through some of that pride.

By: Derek Ashton

Derek Ashton — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:38:15 +0000

Barry,

This doctrine is disagreeable to many, mainly because it requires humility to embrace. By declaring it, we admit that we aren’t smart enough, or enlightened enough, to grasp the depths of God’s wisdom (why does that bother us so much?). By holding to this doctrine, we necessarily exalt God and abase ourselves. I’ve discovered that a person with strong intellectual pride cannot – WILL NOT – be convinced about this. All the arguments in the world will not convince, even if the person knows the Bible inside out. Yet humble, godly men like Spurgeon, Carson, MacArthur, Piper, Mahaney and many others have served us well by affirming this doctrine. Whenever my Calvinism gets too high, compatibilism sets it right again. And whenever my Calvinism gets too low, compatibilism provides the needed adjustment. And all the while it leaves me speechless and mystified before the sovereign and holy God. Compatibilism fuels worship!

Thanks for posting this.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:08:58 +0000

Compatabilism is one of my favorite doctrines, because it is comforting on so many levels; to be able to see that God does not contradict Himself in His Word, or in history; to be able to see that God’s purposes are thwarted by nothing man can think, or will, or do. It’s just a wondrous thing to think even the devil in his rebellion ultimately serves God’s good purposes. (Acts 2:23 is an amazing example.) How else could we be more than conquerors? Surely nothing can snatch us from the hands of such a God.

Sorry for getting a bit carried away. At the end of a rough day, it’s good to meditate upon this very thing.

By: Andy C

Andy C — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:52:19 +0000

Spurgeon always talks to me in a rich language that transcends his age into mine. Thanks for posting this!

By: Davi

Davi — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:16:38 +0000

Barry,

This is a wonderful post. My wife and I were discussing this issue yesterday in regards to our two sons. Both young men, currently drawn away by the world, to different degrees.

It is hard to see our way clear in this situation when such human, and frail thinking is brought with it.

God is the one who regenerates. God is the one who calls. God is the one who will never let go.

So…why do I fret so?

Same thing…little faith first of all..but not able to comprehend God’s sovereignty and human responsibility being the same path.

Thanks for this post.