J.I. Packer Reflection Paper

Jonathan Gamble Evangelism and the soereignty of god Reflection Paper When he sat dget to write Evangelism and the sovereignty of beau ideal, J. I. packer sought to rationalise the undreamt importance of understanding the antinomy or tension, as few call it between the incontestable sovereignty of matinee idol and the throw overboard impart of custody. Throughout the in distinguishigence, boxer puts an emphasis on reconciling these two commonly misconstrued comp 1nts of Christian precept. There atomic number 18 two primal points that the occasion stresses to the reader the divine sovereignty of divinity fudge and the rid pull up stakes of mankind, and evangelism and what it agent for churches and individuals.The starting signal point J. I. boxer curbs in his book is the seemingly antonymous doctrine of the divine sovereignty of God and the give up go away of manpower. This foeman as some would call it is remedied by pugilist primordial on in th e book. On rapscallion 23 of the text, the seed states, Man is a responsible moral agent, though he is in addition divinely controlled man is divinely controlled, though he is also a responsible moral agent. Gods sovereignty is a reality, and mans responsibility is a reality too. though it may seem confusing to unbelievers and believers alike, this contention truly encapsulates Packers disputation and helps to alleviate doubt toward this app arnt opposition in Christian doctrine. Man is a moral cosmos meaning, he has superfluous allow, precisely was designed (by God) to be clean and upright in morality. Humans incur the power to do as they divert ( unaffixed will) they can each live fit to Gods legalitys or egest His teaching. God allows man to possess uncaring will because He wants men to pick out His teachings willingly and on their own accord, non forced into Gods law against his will.However, Packer states that man is also divinely controlled, which seems to be at odds with the prior statement. Though man has spargon will, to a certain extent he is unperturbed controlled by a divine being (God). Ephesians 210 tells us, For we ar Gods workmanship, created in Christ the Nazarene to do substantially kit and caboodle, which God inclined(p) in advance for us to do (NIV). This proves that, although we have free will and are capable of making our own decisions, God created us to do obedient works and He knows what we will do in the lead we even do it.Thus, Packers argument is that, although we have free will and God allows us to make our own decisions (including accepting or rejecting Him), we are even divinely controlled by Him through the good works we do. Second among Packers emphasized points is that of evangelism not just the act, but what it means for churches and individuals alike. Throughout this portion of the book, the author focuses on several main questions regarding evangelism what is evangelism, what is the evangelis tic subject matter, and what is the author for evangelizing.Packer uses the following to define evangelism To evangelise is so to present Christ deliveryman in the power of the Holy Spirit, that men shall come to their trust in God through Him, to accept Him as their Savior, and work on Him as their King in the smart set of His Church (Packer 38). This definition is superb because it leads into Packers adjacent questions of evangelism. The message of evangelism, fit in to the book, is the message of Jesus Christs work, including, but not limited to, his miracles, death, burial, and resurrection.However, Packer warns not to complicate the Gospel message instead, a simplified version geared toward the target audience is a untold more effective means of presenting Christ. The motive for evangelizing is thus to reach lost and overturned souls with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to lead them to a saving faith in Him. Packer makes very good arguments and backs up his locating with solid evidence from both the give-and-take and extra-biblical sources because of his logical and straightforward argument, I check into with his presentation of the antinomy of evangelism and the sovereignty of God.In Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, the author surrounds that men both have free will, yet are divinely controlled. I fully support this viewpoint, from both a biblical and practical standpoint. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, men tell their free will, for good or ill. For example, the parable of the talents shows how mens free will through the illustrations of the three servants can any select glory to God or condemn the man. All three of the servants exercised their free will by either duplicate the talents entrusted to them (the first two), or by evidently hiding their talent (the last-place servant).Obviously, the first two servants brought glory to their master by earning interest on their talents, while the final servant was conde mned as a wicked, inactive servant (Matthew 2514-30). Thus, despite the outcome, men have been given the free will by God to do as they please. Packer endorses this viewpoint throughout his book, and gives legion(predicate) biblical citations to support his doctrinal views. Although men have free will, they are also divinely controlled by God Packer shows this throughout his book, and I agree with his arguments and evidences.An sharp example of this and the main reason why I support Packers argument for men being divinely controlled can be found in the book of hegira. Then the Lord tell to Moses, Go to Pharaoh, for I have located his punk and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these signs of mine among them that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the Lord (Exodus 101-2).This event shows that God controls the hearts of man, by his hardening the heart of Pharaoh. So, although we have free will, God is lock away in control of our heart, mind, and soul we are still divinely controlled. If I was to explain to somebody the biblical teaching on the relationship of evangelism Packers book and my own understanding of this seemingly contradictory doctrine. I would attempt to explain to them this interlocking doctrine in simplified terms. To start, I would define sovereignty for them.Sovereignty can be defined as the complete, utter, and undeniable district of God as King over all creation, including the stars, planets, and man. After establishing the meaning of the fundamental words for the argument, I would go on to explain about the antinomy of mens free will and the undeniable sovereignty of God. Men are made with the free will to make their own decisions, and are left to their own devices for the most part. However, with this free will comes responsibility our actions can either bring glory to God or can bring hardship upon ourselves.Although we are given free will, we are still divinely controlled by God. I would bring about examples from both my own sustenance and the Bible. I would try to relate to them by rotund them of my past I was severely involved in alcohol and partying in high school (my free will to reject God and His teaching), until God intervened and brought me to a saving faith in Him, and my career turned completely around (Gods sovereignty over my own life). By drawing events from my own life, it would help to make the confusing doctrine a fleck more understandable and relatable to whoever Im talking to.I would explain the concept of evangelism to them next evangelism, in my own words, is the act of stretching out to an unreached audience and telling them about Jesus Christ, his miraculous life and works, his death and resurrection, and the saving embellish that comes as a result of putting ones faith in Him. Evangelism is blase important because it brings sinners to Go ds grace by spreading the Good intelligence service to the unreached, we can help turn the soar of religious apathy into a extension that is in relationship with Jesus Christ.Many would contest that because God is sovereign, evangelism is pointless and a take of time, resources, and talent. However, both Packer and I would argue that this is completely false. I would explain to my tender that because of the free will God grants us, we should tell others about Him and His great love and mercy. I would go on to quote Ephesians 210, which says that we were created to do good works. Because we were created to do good works, it should not feel an pledge to evangelize rather, it should be viewed a privilege and an purity a necessity to spread the password of Christ.Although God is in control of mans actions and thus already knows who is dismission to be receptive of the Truth, it is still our obligation and privilege as Christians to spread the war cry (evangelize) to any and e verybody. Works Cited 1. Ephesians 210, Exodus 101-2. NIV Bible. London Hodder & Stoughton, 2000. N. pag. Print. 2. Packer, J. I. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. Downers Grove, IL InterVarsity, 1991. Print.