The Re-Justification of God: An Exegetical & Theological Study of Romans 9:10-24
By J. D. Myers
()
About this ebook
Romans 9 has been a theological battleground for centuries. Scholars from all perspectives have debated whether Paul is teaching corporate or individual election, whether or not God truly hates Esau, and how to understand the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. Both sides have accused the other of misrepresenting God.
In this book, J. D. Myers presents a mediating position. Gleaning from both Calvinistic and Arminian insights into Romans 9, J. D. Myers presents a beautiful portrait of God as described by the pen of the Apostle Paul.
Here is a way to read Romans 9 which allows God to remain sovereign and free, but also allows our theology to avoid the deterministic tendencies which have entrapped certain systems of the past.
Read this book and—maybe for the first time—learn to see God the way Paul saw Him.
Read more from J. D. Myers
Nothing but the Blood of Jesus: How the Sacrifice of Jesus Saves the World from Sin Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related to The Re-Justification of God
Related ebooks
The Justification of God: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Romans 9:1-23 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bamboozled Believers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSo Great Salvation: What It Means to Believe in Jesus Christ Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Salvation and Sovereignty Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Inspiration Of The Scriptures Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Spiritual Condition of Infants: A Biblical-Historical Survey and Systematic Proposal Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Arminius Speaks: Essential Writings on Predestination, Free Will, and the Nature of God Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHope Engaged: A Postmillennial Framework Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Canons of Dort: The Decision of the Synod of Dordt on the Five Main Points of Doctrine in Dispute in the Netherlands Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTulip: The Five Points of Calvinism in the Light of Scripture Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anyone Can Be Saved: A Defense of “Traditional” Southern Baptist Soteriology Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/540 Questions About Roman Catholicism Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Man Christ Jesus: Theological Reflections on the Humanity of Christ Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Multi-Intentioned View of the Extent of the Atonement Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Does God Love Everyone?: The Heart of What's Wrong with Calvinism Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/540 Questions About Arminianism Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFree to Say No?: Free Will in Augustine’s Evolving Doctrines of Grace and Election Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Collected Writings of James Leo Garrett Jr., 1950–2015: Volume Two: Baptists, Part II Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Right Conception of Sin: Its Relation to Right Thinking and Right Living Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIs Jesus the Only Savior? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Relationships, Roles, and Relevance Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Man and Woman: A Zondervan Digital Short Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Reflections of a Disenchanted Calvinist: The Disquieting Realities of Calvinism Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/550 Core Truths of the Christian Faith: A Guide to Understanding and Teaching Theology Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNot by Ignorance: An Explanation of Cessationism Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Human Freedom, Divine Knowledge, and Mere Molinism Study Guide Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Crucified King: Atonement and Kingdom in Biblical and Systematic Theology Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Hands That Will Restore Humanity: A History of Christian Service and Applications for Today Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBy Faith Alone: Answering the Challenges to the Doctrine of Justification Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ruined Sinners to Reclaim: Sin and Depravity in Historical, Biblical, Theological, and Pastoral Perspective Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Christianity For You
The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind... Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Reflections on the Psalms Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind Workbook: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Decluttering at the Speed of Life: Winning Your Never-Ending Battle with Stuff Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Your Brain's Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Everybody, Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I'll Start Again Monday: Break the Cycle of Unhealthy Eating Habits with Lasting Spiritual Satisfaction Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for The Re-Justification of God
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
The Re-Justification of God - J. D. Myers
Foreword
Have you ever agonized over election and predestination? I certainly have. Soon after believing in Jesus at seventeen, I got involved in the debates between Calvinists and Arminians over passages like Romans 9. I had no idea what to make of them. And it tore me up.
Was I Jacob or Esau?
Did God love me or hate me?
How could I know for sure?
As I think back to those times, I realize I was exposed to a limited number of viewpoints, largely biased towards Calvinism. That’s all I heard. As I result, I became a reluctant Calvinist and, quite frankly, it robbed me of my Christian joy. How couldn’t God love everyone? Does that mean God might not love me?
If someone had given me a book like J. D. Myers’ The Re-Justification of God, it would have saved me so much heartache. I believe it will fundamentally change how you read Romans and how you understand election.
In particular, Myers makes a very convincing case for two big ideas.
The first big idea concerns salvation. Do you think you know what it means in Romans? Have you ever considered that salvation means more than forensic justification? Have you considered that, in Romans, you are saved
after you are justified? Did you know that salvation is something that born-again believers experience? That opens up so many different possibilities.
The second big idea concerns election. Have you ever considered that election can be to service, not to eternal life? That’s what Myers argues. Despite popular opinion to the contrary, Romans 9 is not about God’s choosing this or that individual to have eternal life. Rather, it is about God’s choosing this or that group to serve His purposes.
In particular, Romans 9 answers the question—is God through with Israel? Will He no longer use her? Has He abandoned the promises made to her?
Not at all.
As Myers explains Paul’s argument,
God wants to bless the world through His people, and if one group of people fails in this God-given task, then God will simply find someone else to do it while He continues to lead the first group to fulfill His overarching purposes—albeit in different ways than originally intended."
Myers keeps bringing us back to the basic truth that election is to service and it is amazing to see how much light that shines on Romans 9.
Despite the topic, anyone can read this book.
Myers makes his case in a very understandable way.
So if you are a serious Bible student, you should read this book.
I’m sure you will find it convincing. I certainly did.
At the very least, reading it will broaden your horizons. You’ll see there are more options on the table than what you will typically hear from Calvinist or Arminian writers. And that in itself will repay you dividends. You’ll learn to be a more careful interpreter of God’s Word. And you might come away with a greater assurance that you, too, are chosen to serve Him.
Shawn Lazar
Author of Chosen to Serve: Why Divine Election Is to Service, Not to Eternal Life
November 2017
Denton, TX
Author’s Note
As you read through this brief study, there will be numerous places where you will wish for more footnotes, references, and citations. Please note that a lack of citations does not indicate a lack of research. As I will explain in the Preface below, this book is an initial draft of a much longer and more detailed book I wish to write someday. I have been studying Romans 9 for most of my adult life in one way or another, so that much of what is written on these pages is little more than a summation of the theological thought and exegetical research that I have undertaken in recent decades. Whether this book shows it or not, much of the hard exegetical work on Romans 9 has been done. This short book contains only the first fruits of my labor, even if it doesn’t show how I plowed the field, planted the seed, watered the soil, pulled the weeds, and cultivated the plants.
Take the words salvation
and wrath
as examples. These are two of the key terms in Romans. Most students of Romans assume that they know what Paul means by these words. They believe that salvation refers to justification, the forgiveness of sins, and the reception of eternal life so that a person can go to heaven when they die. Likewise, people assume that wrath is the opposite of this, and refers to everlasting punishment in hell. These definitions of these key terms then guide how the student of Paul’s letter to the Romans understands what Paul is teaching. Very early in the study below, I will propose alternative definitions for these two terms. I will not, however, go into great detail defending these alternative definitions. But do not mistake the lack of exegetical evidence or footnotes as a sign that no hard work has been done. The work has been done; it simply doesn’t make an appearance here. I explain why in the Preface.
So as you read along, if you find yourself thinking, Where’s the exegesis?
know (1) that it does exist, and (2) maybe the challenging idea you just read is an invitation for you to engage in your own exegetical work to see if these things are so.
Preface
Nearly two decades ago when, as a Five-Point Calvinist, I began to question whether or not Calvinism truly reflected the biblical gospel, someone invited me to read John Piper’s book The Justification of God: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Romans 9:1-23. I was told that this book would settle the matter once and for all, that I would be convinced as never before about the truth of Calvinism, and especially the Calvinistic doctrine of Unconditional Election.
So I bought the book and read it.
Ironically, far from convincing me of the truth of Calvinism, it was Piper’s book more than any other which caused me to see that there were serious problems with how Calvinists read, understood, and applied Scripture. In his book, John Piper set out to clear God’s name of any wrongdoing in regards to the oft-misunderstood doctrine of election. By taking a careful look at Romans 9:1-23 Piper wanted to show how the Apostle Paul defended the righteousness of God in connection to the doctrine of election.
Why does the righteousness of God need defending? Many feel that it is unjust or unfair for God to decide, in eternity past, whom to bless with eternal life, and whom to condemn with eternal damnation. It seems unjust that God should decide the eternal destiny of all people from eternity past, without any consideration whatsoever about their desires in the matter, or their actions for good or evil. So in The Justification of God, Piper set out to show how Paul defended the right of God to do exactly as He did in regards to people’s eternal destinies.
As I read Piper’s book, I became more and more concerned. It seemed to me that, far from justifying the