If all and only people whom God eternally and unconditionally chooses are saved, then why aren’t all people saved? In a recent episode of Dr. John Piper’s Ask Pastor John podcast, (#547 – If God Is So Happy, Why Did He Create the Non-Elect?), a listener wrote in with this question. In this episode of the trinities podcast, I interact with Dr. Piper’s answer, which focuses on Romans 9:22-23
With a little help from the LogicBot 2000, I evaluate a few of his arguments.
Then I discuss competing, valid arguments that any Christian must choose between:
Argument 1
G: God never does any action which is intrinsically wrong.
E: God unilaterally caused someone to suffer eternally who at no time and to no degree was able to do other than she actually does.
Therefore,
not-W: It is not the case that it is intrinsically wrong to unilaterally cause someone to suffer eternally who at no time and to no degree is able to do other than she actually does.
Argument 2
G: God never does any action which is intrinsically wrong.
W: It is intrinsically wrong to unilaterally cause someone to suffer eternally who at no time and to no degree is able to do other than she actually does.
Therefore,
not-E: It is not the case that God unilaterally caused someone to suffer eternally who at no time and to no degree was able to do other than she actually does.
Though both arguments are valid, it can’t be that both are sound – one must have a false premise. But is it W or E? I take it that Dr. Piper would endorse Argument 1. I discuss some exegetical reasons to doubt his premise E. If we have more reason to believe W than we have to believe E, then we should be persuaded by Argument 2. Clearly, though, the issue requires a full look at Paul’s doctrine of predestination.
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Links for this episode:
- validity and soundness explained
- trinities podcast episodes relevant to Jesus’s “I am [he]” statements
- Rethinking Hell (podcast)
![sad dog]()
- Edward Fudge
- Exodus 9
- Theologian Dr. Jack Cottrell.
- The Grace of God and the Will of Man, edited by Clark H. Pinnock, which contains Dr. Cottrell’s “The Nature of Divine Sovereignty.”
- This week’s thinking music is by Josh Woodward. It is “Under the Stairs” from his album Breadcrumbs.
- The whining dog sounds were recorded by “Tobiasz ‘unfa’ Karo?.” No dog was harmed in the recording, so settle down.
The post podcast 79 – Dr. John Piper on why not everyone is elect appeared first on Trinities.