Matthew Stucky on Calvinism - Refutation #2: Unconditional Election

Ephesians 2:10

To expand a bit on Dr. White’s technical explanation of ἵνα clauses, I would like to provide a direct comparison of Ephesians 2:10 and John 3:16, since both contain this grammatical structure.

Eph 2:10
ἐπὶ ἔργοις ἀγαθοῖς οἷς προητοίμασεν ὁ θεὸς, ἵνα ἐν αὐτοῖς περιπατήσωμεν
unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (KJV)

Jn 3:16
ἵνα πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων εἰς αὐτὸν μὴ ἀπόληται ἀλλ’ ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (KJV)

King James Bible has the word “should” in both verses. So, if we take Mr. Stucky’s (representing the New IFB common perspective) insistence that “should” in Eph 2:10 doesn’t denote a purpose or a necessary result but mere option, and apply it to “should” Jn 3:16, then believing in the Son does not necessarily result in the believer not perishing and having everlasting life.
The purpose of God’s giving of the Son is that every believer in the Son would not perish, but have everlasting life – and that will infallibly follow.
The purpose of God creating us in Christ Jesus unto good works is that we would walk in them – and that will infallibly follow.

This is not works salvation. It is God who works through believers (Phil 2:12-13), and accomplishing His will through and by the means of believers on this Earth. But those works only come out of a changed heart by regeneration – not out of your own power (Ez 36:25-27 / John 3:3-6 and Jer 31:31-34 / Heb 8-10).
Hence, if you struggle with assurance of salvation when lacking in good works, that should only cause you run to Christ in repentance and faith. For you could have never earned your justification by doing good works, nor you can maintain your justification by doing good works – you are justified by faith alone (Rom 4:1-8, 23-25; 5:1-2). Your assurance of salvation is not your changed life, nor even your faith. Your only assurance of salvation is Christ’s perfect ability to perfectly accomplish the Father’s will that everyone who comes to Him in faith will never be cast out, but be resurrected on the last day (Jn 6:37-40). It’s all of God, nothing of you.
And even when talking about works in Eph 3:10, it is preceded by grace and faith as the only means of salvation (Eph 2:1-9) – both faith and works are given to you by God’s grace, and you cannot boast in yourself, but only in Christ.

I know this is old, but New IFB’s argumentation has not changed on this issue. I hope that even this day, dear brothers and sisters in the New IFB will take the time to listen with an open mind, recognize the difference between proof-texting and sound contextual interpretation, and see who handles God’s word properly and consistently. Let the Scripture speak.
I know what’s it like to read passages such as Ephesians 1:3-12, 2 Thessalonians 2:10-13 which so clearly teach God’s sovereignty in salvation and predestination, but resist it because I was told that that’s now what it teaches because in other places it says this, and Calvinists are perverts anyway. But I simply ask: what does the Bible say? Don’t run to other non-related passages you are told to run to. What does John 6 say? What does Ephesians 1-2 say? 2 Thessalonians 2:10-13? I invite you to read those passages slowly, repeatedly, follow the argumentation as it is presented and pray that God would reveal the truth to you.

For a refutation of Mr. Stucky’s sermon against Reformed Theology I recommend you listen to Pastor Jeff Dollar and brother Chris Jones’ analysis

James White and Jason Robinson Discuss Romans 8:28-34

Excerpt from the Dividing Line program aired on February 19, 2019

Alpha & Omega Ministries

Dr. James White

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[DjSostre]

Jeremiah 1:4-5=Unconditional election.
Psalms 139:16=Unconditional election.
BEFORE THEY WERE BORN, GOD DECREED THEIR LIVES and SALVATION!
And obviously Romans9 says the same of the twins.... Even John the Baptist is a perfect example. And many more.

God chose these men, and they didn't have a choice. God created them for HIS purpose and worked through them for HIS purpose. Scripture teaches it.