“‘Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!’”
This is reminiscent of Isaiah 5:1-7, Jeremiah 18:11, Ezekiel 33:7-11 and Matthew 23:37. From these words, it is hard to deny God’s salvific intent for mankind. Calvinists have two choices: (a) Either God doesn’t really mean what He is saying, and these words should be understood from the perspective of being anthropomorphisms, or (b) God does mean what He says, but these words can only be applied toward Calvinism’s elect. However, neither statement is a compelling argument.
What do Calvinists believe?
This expresses God’s heart toward the rebellious people of Israel. Despite their rejection, He passionately desired their covenant blessings anyway. Although He had not effectually called them to salvation, this verse reveals a desire on God’s part that was not in accordance with what, for higher reasons, He had decreed.
Our reply:
That explanation takes the route that God doesn’t really mean what He says. Calvinism’s “Secret Will” simply does not match God’s stated passion. It seems to present God as compassionate and merciful while having decreed the opposite. However, if instead, God had made their return possible, but the people refused, then their refusal would in no way diminish the true sincerity on God’s part.
This verse must be very confusing to Calvinists since Calvinists believe that God simply installs a regenerated new heart whenever He wants to. It’s like saying: “Oh that the non-elect would have the same regenerated new heart that I irresistibly give to the elect.”
[This post has been excerpted with permission from Richard Coords, Calvinism Answered Verse by Verse and Subject by Subject, © 2024.]
