If God Commands...Man Must Be Able?

Dr. Jerry Vines recently gave a sermon against Calvinistic theology in Southern Baptist Life. What amazes me about men such as Dr. Jerry Vines is that they tend to think that Arminians have their verses and Calvinists have their verses. Neither side seems to be willing to understand the other.

I have found this completely untrue. After many years of reading on a layman's level, I have found Calvinists responding to all Arminian arguments. The reverse however is simply not the case.

Tom Ascol offered a critique of several of Dr. Vine's points. Dr. Vines stated at one point:

"It also raises questions about the character of God. Because, listen, in Acts 17 verse 30 it says that God commands all men, all men everywhere to repent. But now wait a minute. If they can't repent until they're born again and yet God is commanding them to do something which they are not able to do, what does that say about the character of God?"

This objection has been answered countless times. A man with a doctorate should be one of integrity and one who is well studied, especially when preaching before the people of God.

Dr. Ascol's answer was a little different than normal. I thought it was simply brilliant.

Dr. Vines leaves the implication unstated that it would be unjust of God to require what a person is not able to do. Yet, Jesus clearly commands us to do what we are presently unable to do when He says, "Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). Interestingly, and no doubt unwittingly, Vines' objection is based on the the philosophical foundation that drives both Arminianism and Hyper-Calvinism. Both of these errors claim, just as Dr. Vines indicates, that a man's responsibility extends only as far as his ability does. The Arminian sees this and says, "Yes, and we know that sinners are held responsible to repent and believe, therefore they must have the ability to do so." The hyper-Calvinist sees this and says, "Yes, and we know that sinners do not have the ability to repent and believe, therefore they are not responsible to do so."

It is the Calvinist who refuses to accept the rationalistic presupposition. Rather, Calvinism recognizes that the Bible teaches that sinners are both morally unable and yet spiritually responsible to repent and believe.

Although Dr. Ascol doesn't take the time to critique the entire sermon, he answers many questions. Perhaps one of these answers may be what you are looking for.