Ephesians 1; John 3:16, John 20:31

jomarc · #1 25th June 2012, 10:18 PM

Ephesians 1 offers a fairly convincing argument for election. How are John 3:16 and John 20:31 explained by reformed theologians?

Thanks. Not trying to be a problem here, just need to hear their thoughts.

Osage Bluestem · #2 25th June 2012, 10:37 PM

Those who are predestined to believe will believe.

Reformed Baptist 1689 · #3 26th June 2012, 07:09 AM

Originally Posted by jomarc

Ephesians 1 offers a fairly convincing argument for election. How are John 3:16 and John 20:31 explained by reformed theologians?

Thanks. Not trying to be a problem here, just need to hear their thoughts.

Neither are hard to understand, what you have to apprecaite is that a lot is read into verses John 3:16 that simply isn't there.

NKJ John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.(Joh 3:16 NKJ)

John 3:16 refers to 'the world' (τὸν κόσμον) this term is not synonymous with 'every person who has ever lived' as many assume, especially not in John's writings, try making sense of John's gosple and epistles if you replace the word 'world' with 'every single person who has ever lived' it will make no sense. Therefore the reformed take time to understand what Kohn means by τὸν κόσμον and there some differences opinion within reformed circles as to it's meaning - most go for something along the lines of 'creation.'

Notice also in John 3:16 it simply says that who believe will not perish, it simply does not speak to the origin that belief that saves. John 3:16 is silent in regards to the origin of faith, ie is it God's gift, or does it come from within. It simply states that if you believe you will be saved.

As for John 20:31 I am not sure what you think the issue may be, that John says these things are written so that we 'might believe' it seems to me that you can only see that one as a problem for the reformed if you do not yet properly understand reformed theology. The point is that God saves, but he uses means to save, and the word of God is one of those means, That is why Paul could right, Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?(Rom 10:14 KJV) he speaks more of this in 2 Thes 2:13 where he says; But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,(2Th 2:13 NKJ) Notice the two fold aspect of the work - it requires the inward of the Holy spirit, and also the outward means of the truth.

John is simply saying he has recorded these things so that we might believe - Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit he is providing the means through which God will save.