If you went to OIL, then you got a hold of Dr. Carson's Scandalous. In it he argues against the notion that God was so favorable, so loving to the world that if only people weren't sinful they could enjoy fellowship with Him. He argues against Jesus' work merely serving as a cancellation of sin, which implies an impersonal wrath poured on people. But of course, His wrath is very personal for He is a jealous God and all sin wholly goes against Him.
These issues are all very interesting, with my friend Ed wishing the following questions to be answered by Dr. Carson: Could you clarify how God loves sinners apart from Christ? Does He love them when He sends them to hell? The questions never got to the panel.
So in light of Dr. Carson's book and some references my friend Sam pointed me to, I do think there is a satisfying answer within Reformed theology.
- First, God definitely hates sin but He also hates sinners, the ones apart from Christ. He hated Esau (Malachi 1:3). Or shall we say He sovereignly did not choose Esau to join in fellowship with Him? The word hate and love seem to come at odds with love's divine embodiment (1 John 4:8). However, it is clear that God hates the reprobate and endures their eternal disobedience (Psalm 139:22, Romans 9:22). To the most Holy, endure is an appropriate word.
- God doesn't need to love anyone. The characteristic of love is not dependent on loving us. Triune community. So we all deserve His wrath (Amos 3:2, Romans 3:23). Done.
- God graciously shows love through His elect. God only loves His elect (read Ephesians...). Jesus only intercedes for the elect (John 17:9). This glorifies Him by highlighting the magnitude of grace to those saved solely by grace.
Maybe it's just more correct to make the title of this entry "Jesus doesn't love everybody." This makes me want to evangelize hard. And repent just as fervently. May these be the reactions to all who remind themselves of these truths.
that's really thought provoking. going to muse on this for a while.
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