Noah

[SOTK]

I am having trouble finding a site with a Calvinist theologian who addresses Noah in light of Total Depravity. Can somebody help me out? I believe in Total Depravity. In fact, I believe in all 5 points, however, somebody brought up a good question about Noah, and I am not sure how to answer it. If we are totally depraved (legally, physically, and spiritually dead) due to the Fall, how is it that Noah was found to have favor with God. In fact, he was said to be righteous. Basically, one could view Noah as not being depraved. How is this possible?

Thanks.

 

[mlqurgw]

I am having trouble finding a site with a Calvinist theologian who addresses Noah in light of Total Depravity. Can somebody help me out? I believe in Total Depravity. In fact, I believe in all 5 points, however, somebody brought up a good question about Noah, and I am not sure how to answer it. If we are totally depraved (legally, physically, and spiritually dead) due to the Fall, how is it that Noah was found to have favor with God. In fact, he was said to be righteous. Basically, one could view Noah as not being depraved. How is this possible?

Thanks.

Gen 6:8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.

The first words we read about Noah is that he found grace. That is unmerrited favor. Just as any other saved person Noah was an object of the love and mercy of God by election. His righteousness was the same as ours. Just like us he served God by grace and if God had not preserved him he would have been just like the rest of the world at that time. The contrast between Noah and the rest of the world is striking in that God destroyed all of mankind but those whom He chose. It is a very clear picture of God's sovereign grace and salvation. The Ark is one of the most clear and beautiful pictures of Christ in the whole Old Testament.


BTW; you might want to check out John Gill or Matthew Henry. They are both Calvinistic. Gill is best IMHO.

 

[heron]

Abel also found favor with God in his sacrificial generosity... Abraham was saved by faith, and not through righteousness alone. Moses heeded the word of the Lord to Him. David's well-tested passion for God (not purity) made him a man after God's heart. If everyone pre-Christ was condemned to their depravity, then there would be no Old Testament stories to tell.

God knows our flaws and propensity toward sin, and He made provision for it. Jesus was our scapegoat.

Luke 16, Lazarus and the rich man in the grave (divisions of the pre-Christ dead).
http://www.studylight.org/desk/?passage=lu+16:19-31
1Pe 4:5 but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God.
An interesting cpmmentary--
http://www.studylight.org/dic/hbd/view.cgi?number=T3047

 

[SOTK]

Thank you, my friends. Great points and your responses answer my question. I will check the links out as well as the authors.

 

[heron]

sure, thanks...hope it serves you well.

 

[SOTK]

I'm sure it will...I've been really enjoying this section of CF. A bunch of you have given me a wealth of information to further my education and understanding of the Doctrines of Grace! Thanks again, everybody!

 

[heymikey80]

Yeah, definitely! (I vote with mlqurgw on John Gill!). This is some good stuff!

"If you're looking for something about Noah as to why God would look kindly on Noah above someone else of his time ... it's ok, you can stop."

Like in Noah's time, the rescue that comes from God is "not of ourselves" (Ep 2:8). It isn't caused by our good actions (Ep 2:9, Rom 4:5, 9:16b) or even by our own desires (Rom 9:16a).

That's what "unmerited favor" or "grace" is, as mlqurgw points out wonderfully! Noah was given favor freely by God, as a gift. He didn't warrant God's favor. He was given it.

And it is quite a powerful, humbling thought. I love these humbling messages shining through the Old Testament.

 

[mlqurgw]

Here is Auther pink on Noah.


http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/Gleanings_Genesis/genesis_10.htm