Calvinism and Romans – Part 3
Paul’s efforts in the book of Romans are to show the following: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’”
Paul affirms that the gospel is the power of God to salvation. John Calvin misses this point. From his reading of Romans 9, he treats the bare will of God as the whole account of who is saved, and he says we may not proceed beyond “whom he wills.” Paul has already said the gospel is that power, and that it saves everyone who believes. If nothing beyond the divine will may be considered, “everyone who believes” is no longer the condition Paul states.
The Bible tells a different story. We are called by the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14). The message of the gospel is God’s plan for man’s salvation (Romans 1:16). Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17).
So what is Paul doing in Romans 9:14–18? Remember the statement in Romans 1:16 that salvation is for both Jews and Gentiles. The Jews did not believe that Gentiles could be saved outside the Law of Moses. Paul affirmed that salvation is now in Christ Jesus, not in the Law of Moses. That meant both Jews and Gentiles could be saved only through Christ Jesus. This was offensive to Jews. They believed salvation ran through them as a people, and that God would never offer it to the Gentiles apart from them, much less condemn Israelites who refused the Messiah. Paul’s point is that God has done both, through Messiah Jesus.
God bless you, and I love you.
Kevin Cauley