Part 2: Responsibility and Inability Are Not Two Sides of the Same Coin

In the last post we took a quick look at how the common syllogism works. We concluded that it is a valid tool for deducing logic as long as the premises are actually true. The problem arises when we base our premises on an assumption such as, "if this happens...then that happens." This is called a hypothetical syllogism and presents a problem in that the premises may or may not be true.

In the synergist thinking he proposes this exact type of syllogism in regards to the moral responsibility and the ability of man to obey God. He assumes that if God has commanded then ultimately God must also accompany His commands by granting ability to the creature. Let's quickly review the syllogism that I have proposed:

A.) If God judges all men, He commands all men to obey
B.) If God commands all men to obey, He enables them to obey
C.) If God judges all men, He enables them to obey

The real hot-point with the synergist is that if God does not give the ability to obey then He cannot rightly judge one for what cannot be helped because He is not unjust. In their mind, it is only natural, then, to come to this conclusion. If they can get Scripture to jive with this notion they feel they will have a solid case against Reformed Theology.

This is the argument that needs to be examined. Does Scripture indeed affirm man's ability to obey God's Law? or does it point to another reason that God is still just when He will judge all men based upon their own evil actions? For this reason, I would like to produce my own syllogism that affirms the latter (based upon Scripture of course) and then examine the Bible in light of that syllogism.

A.) If God judges all men, He judges them according to their own evil actions
B.) If He judges them according to their own evil actions, all men will be judged      fairly
C.) If God judges all men, all men will be judged fairly

Note: Please be aware that I did not say anything about the nature of man to either obey or disobey. I only emphasized his evil actions. This is fair for both sides, as we will let Scripture be the determining factor.

I would like to begin examining this issue with a simple series of questions.

1. Upon what, does God base His judgment of mankind?

This is a fair enough question. It must be brought to the front at the very beginning for we can determine whether or not judgment is made against actions or against ability.

1. The Bible confirms that man is judged according to his actions.
   
   Romans 2:5-6--But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will render to each one according to his works.
   
   Jude 14-15--It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against him
   
   Re 20:13--And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.
2. The Bible confirms that man is judged according to his motives
   
   1Cor 4:5--Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
   
   Hebrews 4:12-13--For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
   
   Mt 12:35-37--The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

2. How does mankind respond to the knowledge of God's rule and promise of judgment?

1. Man is a naturally repulsed by God
John 7:7--The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.
Ro 8:7--For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
Gen 6:5--The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.


2. Man desires to create his own god
Acts 17:16, 22--Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols...So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.

1 Kgs 18:22--And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word.

Re 9:20--The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.

3. Does man desire of his own nature to repent?

Re 9:20--The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands nor give up worshiping demons and idols of gold and silver and bronze and stone and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.

Jer 7:24--But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.

Josh 24:16, 19--Then the people answered, "Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods...But Joshua said to the people, "You are not able to serve the LORD, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins.

Gen 6:5--The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually


Thus far we have noted the following three things: 1.) That God judges man based upon actions and motives, 2.) Man does not care that judgment looms over him, and 3.) Man does not even desire to turn from his evil.

In the third installment of this brief survey we will examine the final piece and ask the crucial question: is man capable of repenting without Divine intervention? Stay tuned—same theology time...same theology channel

Affirming the Solas,
Steven (AKA Ekklessia Boy)