The Complementary Nature of Biblical Teaching

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MARTIN MBS TEXTE 29 BUCER 2004 SEMINAR

Thomas Schirrmacher The Complementary Nature of Biblical Teaching

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TheologischeTheologische Akzente Akzente TableTable of Contents of Contents

The Early Councils ...... 3 The Complementary Nature ...... 5 Predestination and Responsibility ...... 7 Texts on Predestination to Salvation, which mention both predestination and human responsibility ...... 8 Who hardened Pharao‘s heart? ...... 8 The expression „to harden the heart“ appears in the New Testament as ...... 9 Texts which mention both the responsibility of Man in general and the divine predestination of events ...... 9 Men pray that God bring them to repentance ...... 10 Teaching of predestination leeds to evangelization ...... 10 Annotations ...... 11 The author ...... 12 Impressum ...... 13

Der Text ist gleichzeitig als Geleitwort zu folgender Publi- kation erschienen: Henry Krabbendam, Sovereignty and Responsibility, Bonn: VKW, 2002.

1. Auﬂ. 2004 Thomas Schirrmacher The Complementary Nature of Biblical Teaching

The Complementary Nature of Biblical Teaching Foreword to Henry Krabbendams „Soverainty and Responsibility“ Thomas Schirrmacher

Sovereignty and Responsibility has theological systems. Henry Krabbendam been the topic of theology and philosophy has done the Church a major favour by for nearly 2000 years. Is it possible to say asking the question, whether we really something new on this topic or has not have built our Systematic theology on the everything been said? Can you do better whole Holy Scriptures. than Augustine, Luther or Wesley? And if Henry Krabbendam ist well prepared the author from his personal theological for his major task. He is teaching as Pro- tradition as a leading Reformed System- fessor of Systematic Theology, Apologe- atic theologian stands on one side of the tics and Evangelism on three continents, old ﬁght between Calvinist and Arminian in the USA (Covenant College), Uganda Christians, why bother? (Africa Christian Training Institute, I am convinced that this book is a ACTS) and in Germany (Martin Bucer breakthrough on the topic of Sovereignty Seminar, MBS) near to his origins in the and Responsibility. On the one side the Netherlands. And everywhere he is liste- author is very old fashioned, using the ning carefully to local Christians. And he Bible as governing source of theology and does not only know the academic world, being deeply routed in historical theo- but has been active in evangelism, apo- logy. But his emphasis on the Bibel at the logetics and organising Christian work same time makes him very modern and in Africa and elsewhere. Thus he knows innovative, because he does not stop with his theological „enemy“ from personal the situation playing the Bible against the encounter and working together in evan- Bible, as is often the case in the debate. gelism and theological training. He wants to listen to the Biblical arguments of others and prove himself very thoroughly, whether or not he has taken The Early Councils into account their Biblical arguments. The Church of Christ has to battle for When the Early Church Councils theological unity and cannot leave out (Nicea 325, Constantinopel 381, Ephe- certain Biblical elements and revelati- sus 431 and Chalcedon 451) resolved the ons, because they do not ﬁt in traditional issues of the relationships between the

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Persons of the Trinity and the relation- integrated through unification, rather ship between the human and divine natu- is the unique nature of each of the two res of Christ, they were exemplary in their natures preserved and unified into one refusal to accept a one-sided declaration Person and one hypostasis, the only begot- but to accord all truths expressed in Scrip- ten Son. God the Word, the Lord Jesus ture equal weight. The numerous views in Christ, is not divided into two persons or these two major controversies had origi- separated, but is one and the same, as the nated not only under the influence of prophets had testified and as Jesus Christ non-Christian religions or popular world Himself has taught us, and the confession views, but also from apparently contra- of the fathers has affirmed.“1 dictory statements in the Bible itself. The councils fortunately chose not to insist Sections 2.3 and 8.2 of the Westmins- upon a ‘rational’ solution, but included ter Confession of 16472 summarize the all Biblical information. The statement Early Church‘s doctrine of the Trinity on Christ of the Council of Chalcedon and of the Dual Nature of Jesus and show (22–10–451 AD) says, that the complementary decisions of the early councils were of lasting value for „As heirs of the holy fathers, we thus all later generations: teach unanimously that our Lord Jesus Christ is to be confessed as one and the „In the unity of the Godhead there be same Son: the Same is perfect in His three persons, of one substance, power divinity, and the Same is perfect in His and eternity; God the Father, God the humanity: the Same is truly God and Son, and God the Holy Ghost. The truly Man with a rational soul and body: Father is of none, neither begotten nor the Same is according to divinity of the proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten same substance as God the Father, and of the Father, the Holy Ghost eternally according to His humanity of the same proceeding from the Father and the substance as we are; in all things like us Son.“3 except for sin (Compare Heb. 4:15). The Same was on the one hand in His divi- „The Son of God, the second person nity begotten of the Father before time; in the Trinity, being very and eternal on the other hand in His humanity in God, of one substance, and equal with the latter days born of Maria, the Virgin the Father, did, when the fullness of (and) Mother of God for our sakes and time was come, take upon him man’s for the sake of our salvation: one and nature, with all the essential properties the same is Christ, the only begotten Son and common infirmities thereof yet wit- and Lord, Who in two Natures, is seen hout sin; being conceived by the power to be neither commingled, nor alterable, of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the undivided and indivisible. In no way is Virgin Mary, of her stubstance. So that the difference between the natures dis- two whole, perfect, and distinct natures,

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the Godhead and the manhood were The theory of complementarity was inseparably joined together in one person controversial for many years. The Danish without conversion, composition or con- scientist Niels Bohr (1885–1962), who fusion. Which person is very God and was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1922, very man, yet one Christ, the only Medi- introduced the term to physics in 19275, ator between God and man.“ 4 assuring the success of the theory of complementarity in the physics of the Twen- Unfortunately, later councils (Ephe- tieth Century.6 sus 431, Orange 529) failed to pursue A leading German Lexicon describes this wise course in dealing with the issue complementary nature of physical reality of human and divine responsibility in as the experimentally demonstrated fact salvation. The Church had negativly that atomic particles have two paired but rejected Pelagius‘ doctrines, but lacked apparently contradictory properties, for the strength positivly to incorporate all example, particle and wave. „Two com- aspects of scriptural revelation as they had plementary features cannot be observed done when deciding on the Trinity and on simultaneously, but require two contra- the Nature of Christ. Had they done so, dictory, mutually intolerable measure- their complementary solution would have ments.“7 moulded and unified all of Christianity, Complementarity thus implies that the as the former issues had done. Full Pelagi- various aspects of some phenomena can anism (salvation by works alone), having only be studied and defined separately been universally condemned, never really from each other, even though we know raised its head again, even in the Roman that the results of both studies are simul- Catholic Church. taneously true, and that an accurate result can only be obtained by setting all aspects concerned into a proper relationship to The Complementary Nature each other – as in the case of complemen- of Biblical Thought tary colours, which only produce white when properly mixed. Physicists have discovered many pheno- Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker defines mena which can be described as „comple- complementarity as „consisting of the fact mentary“ (from Lat. „complementum“; that the two features cannot be applied completion or supplement) in a double or simultaneously, even though both must triple form. Colorus which produce white be applied“.8 when mixed (for example, red and green), In the mean time, this theory has been are called complementary colours. In a adopted by many sciences and discipli- single experimental situation, an electron nes.9 can be only demonstrated to be either a It is not a lack of logical truth that particle or a wave, although in reality it is forces man to rely upon complementary both. This is therefore also true of light. statements about scriptural revelation

MBS TEXTE 29 5 Thomas Schirrmacher The Complementary Nature of Biblical Teaching and theology, but the limitations of the The Christian is free from Sin, but not human mind. In defending most central sinless. doctines of the Christian faith, that God Satan is overthrown but still wields is Triune and that Jesus is truly Man and great power. truly God, the Early Church deliberately chose complementary formulations. The Christian cannot lose his salvation, A complementary approach can also but is still warned to hold on to his faith. play a significant role in overcoming many Several scriptures with complementary unnecessary conflicts between Christ- content illustrate the point: ians.10 We still tend to play one side of complementary reality against the other, Deuteronomy 28–30 pairs the blessing or to overemphasise one aspect of it. In and the curse, which I have set before the Early Church, Jesus‘ humanity was thee (30:1). God‘s Covenant offers emphasized at the cost of His divinity, advantages, but also judgement (See and his submission to His Father at the also: Romans 2:9–10). cost of His equal status and substance. Genesis 2:15 describes Man‘s commis- The Bible frequently mentions two or sion to work and to keep Creation; two more apparently contradictory doctrines seemingly contradictory tasks, which, in one breath. Jesus‘ humanity and His however, belong together in everday life. divinity, and the Trinity are the most Psalm 51:16–17+19: „thou desirest not central examples. sacrifice; else would I give it … The The following examples of comple- sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a mentarity are all expressed in the Bible in broken and a contrite heart, O God, several ways which seem indivisible but thou wilt not despise. ... Then shalt thou insoluble: be pleased with the sacrifices of righte- ousness, with burnt offering and whole Predestination and responsibility burnt offering: then shall they offer bul- Law and Grace locks upon thine altar.“ Faith and Knowledge Psalm 73:23: „Nevertheless I am conti- Divine love and divine wrath nually with thee: thou hast holden me by Doctrine and life my right hand.“ The believer can hold Baptism as divine act and as human act onto God, because God holds him. Who Church office and the priesthood of the holds whom? Both sides belong together. believer11 1 John 1:5–3:10: John repeats four basic Difference and equality of man and statements with continually new formu- woman12 lations: „Whosoever is born of God doth The Christian is free from the Law, not commit sin; for his seed remaineth but lives according to God‘s command- in him: and he cannot sin, because he is ments. born of God.“ (3:9); „If we say that we

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have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the Knowing that God works all things leads truth is not in us.“ (1:8); „If we confess not to passivity but to creative action. our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive Ephesians 2:8–10 relates the believer‘s us our sins, and to cleanse us from all good works to God‘s sovereign activity. unrighteousness.“ (1:9); „My little child- „For by grace are ye saved through faith; ren, these things write I unto you, that ye and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of sin not.“ (2:1). These four statements – a God: Not of works, lest any man should Christian does not sin, every Christian boast. For we are his workmanship, cre- sins, every Christian should confess his ated in Christ Jesus unto good works, sin, and every Christian should stop sin- which God hath before ordained that we ning – do not contradic each other, but should walk in them.“ belong together. The relationship between predesti- 1 Cor. 8–10: Paul rebukes believers who nation and responsibility, i.e. between participate in idolatrous feasts, but also God‘s omnipotent and sovereign acti- those who condemn the eating of meat vity to human activity in responsibility offered to idols. before God, has immense significance for ethics, for it defines the areas for which Man can be called to responsibility. The Predestination human being is not responsible for God‘s and Responsibility domain, but only for those areas in which he has been placed by God. As we have seen, many Biblical issues Alister E. McGrath, discussing St. have two seemingly contradictory but Augustine, comes to the conclusion that equally important factors. Church his- one must hold onto both the absolute tory demonstrates that many theological sovereignty of God and onto the reality of disputes arise when two opposing parties human liberty and responsibility, if one is insist on accepting or emphasising only to do justice to the wealth and complexity one side of the issue. of scriptural statements on the subject. To Scripture makes the individual fully solve the problem by denying either divine responsible, but only for that area of life, in sovereignty or human liberty would lead which he has received responsibility from to serious uncertainty about the Christ- God. Above and beyond that area, God ian understanding of the way in which reigns in His omnipotence and directs God justifies man.13 Creation. Indeed, it is God‘s omnipo- That the knowledge that God directs tence that makes the human responsible all things does not reduce human respon- and establishes the commandment. Paul sibility, and the complete responsibility states: „Work out your own salvation with of Man does not dispute God‘s sove- fear and trembling, for it is God which reignty,14 can be seen in several scriptures worketh in you both to will and to do which mention both aspects at once, even of his good pleasure.“ (Phil 2:12–13). using one to prove the other. Augustine

MBS TEXTE 29 7 Thomas Schirrmacher The Complementary Nature of Biblical Teaching once wrote, that no one who claimed that ved him, to them gave he power to grace eliminates free will had ever under- become the sons of God, even to them stood that he does not establish the will, that believe on his name: Which were but allows it to drift without restraint.15 born, not of blood, nor of the will of Do we not thank both God and the the ﬂesh, nor of the will of man, but cook for our food? Every time that a new of God.“ (We must receive Christ per- human comes into being, he is a unique sonally, but the power to do so comes creation of God, but equally the pro- from God.) duct of a biological process initiated by a John 6:37: „All that the Father giveth man and a woman. Such examples of the me shall come to me; and him that linking of God‘s sovereign activity and cometh to me I will in no wise cast human operation are innumerable. out.“ (We must come to Christ, but those who do so have been given Him Texts on Predestination to by God.) Salvation, which mention both predestination and human 1 Corinthians 15:10: (Paul speaking responsibility. of himself) „But by the grace of God Philippians 2:12–13: „Wherefore, my I am what I am: and his grace which beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not was bestowed upon me was not in as in my presence only, but now much vain;“ (All is due to God‘s grace, but more in my absence, work out your Paul can still point out that this grace own salvation with fear and tremb- had not been bestowed in vain.) ling. For it is God which worketh in 2 Corinthians 6:1: „We then, as wor- you both to will and to do of his good kers together with him, beseech you pleasure.“ also that ye receive not the grace of 16 1 Peter 2:7–8: „To you therefore God in vain.“ which believe he is precious: but unto Galatians 4:8–9: „Howbeit then, when them which be disobedient, the stone ye knew not God, ye did service unto which the builders disallowed, the them which by nature are no gods. But same is made the head of the corner, now, after that ye have known God, or and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of rather are known of God ...“ offence, even to them which stumble Who hardened Pharao‘s heart? at the word, being disobedient: whe- reunto also they were appointed.“ 1. God hardened the hearts of Pharao (They are personally responsible, and of the Egyptians: Exo. 21; 7:3; because they are disobedient. At the 9:12; 10:1+21+27; 11:10; 14:4+8; same time, they have been appointed 14:17 by God to do so. 2. Active person not mentioned: Exo. John 1:12–13: „But as many as recei- 7:13+14+22; 8:15+28; 9:7+35

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3. Pharao hardens his heart. Exo. Matthew 18:7: „Woe unto the world 8:11; 9:34; (See also 1Sam 6:6; Prov. because of offences! for it must needs 28:14). be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!“ „The hardening is so much both, divine Isaiah 50:11: „Behold, all ye that act and equally decision of the subject, kindle a fire, that compass yourselves that such expressions alternate ... in about with sparks: walk in the light of the first respect, it is the result of divine your fire, and in the sparks that ye have wrath.“17 kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.“ The expression „to harden the (They bring themselves into danger, heart“ appears in the New but the judgment is still from God.) Testament as18: Deuteronomy 29:29: „The secret Divine act: Matthew 13:15; Joh 12:40; things belong unto the LORD our Acts 28:27; Romans 9:18; 11:7; 2 Cor. God: but those things which are 3:14 revealed belong unto us and to our Man‘s own decision or as warning children for ever, that we may do all against it: Mark 3:5; Acts 19:9; the words of this law.“ (God‘s secret Romans 2:5, Heb. 3:8+13+15; 4:7 activity is never an excuse for disobe- dience to His revealed will.) Texts which mention both the responsibility of Man in general James 4:13–17: „We are not to boast and the divine predestination of of our plans, but to say“, „For that ye events ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.“ (Although Acts 27:22–24+31: Paul receives the promises or plans can be made only promise that no one will be lost in the under the reservation that God deter- shipwreck, and announces to the crew, mines all, we still must go about our „There shall be no loss of any man‘s business.) life among you, but of the ship,“ but still warns the soldiers, „Except these Nehemiah 2:20: „The God of heaven, abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.“ he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build“ (Knowing Luke 22:21–22 (Judas): „But, behold, that God gives success leads not to the hand of him that betrayeth me is passivity, but to active cooperation.) with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determi- 1 Peter 3:17: „For it is better, if the will ned: but woe unto that man by whom of God be so, that ye suffer for well he is betrayed!“ (Even though he is doing, than for evil doing.“ (Suffering fulling prophecy, Judas is fully respon- occurs according to God‘s will, but we sible for betraying Jesus.) carry the responsibility for the cause of our suffering.)

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Proverbs 21:31: „The horse is prepared in you both to will and to do of his against the day of battle: but safety is good pleasure.“ (Christians work only of the LORD.“ because they know that God does all. Knowing of predestination does not Men pray that God bring them to make them passive or lazy but active repentance: and diligent.) Jeremiah 31:18–19: “Turn thou me, Nehemia 2:20: „The God of heaven, and I shall be turned; for thou art the he will prosper us; therefore we his LORD my God. Surely after that I was servants will arise and build“ (See turned, I repented; and after that I was above.) instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, Peoples who carry out God‘s judgment because I did bear the reproach of my are still punished. youth.“ Isaiah 47:6–7: Babylon conquers Israel Lamentations 5:21: „Turn thou us according to God’s commandment, unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be but are themselves judged. turned; renew our days as of old.“ Isaiah 10:5–19: Assyria conquers Israel according to God‘s commandment, Teaching of predestination leeds to evangelization19 but are judged for their arrogant claim to have done so in their own power. 2 Timothy 2:10: „Therefore I endure 2 Chronicles 28:1–5 (particularly all things for the elect‘s sakes, that they verse 5, 10 and 13): The kingdom of may also obtain the salvation which is Israel carries out divine judgement on in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.“ the kingdom of Judah, but is punished Acts 18:9–10: „Then spake the Lord for its own guilt. to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not Ezekiel 14:9.10: in reference to a pro- afraid, but speak, and hold not thy phet. peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city.“ (Spoken „O the depth of the riches both of the before the people had been converted. wisdom and knowledge of God! How Paul is to preach the Gospel, because unsearchable are his judgments, and God has elected some of them.) his ways past ﬁnding out. For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or Philippians 2:12–13: „Wherefore, my who hath been his counsellor? Or who beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not hath ﬁrst given to him, and it shall be as in my presence only, but now much recompensed unto him again? For of more in my absence, work out your him, and through him, and to him, are own salvation with fear and trem- all things: to whom be glory for ever. bling. For it is God which worketh Amen.“(Romans 11:33–36)

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AnnotationsAnnotations

1 Heinrich Denzinger, Peter Hünermann. 10 See: Winfried Amelung. In IHM ist die Enchiridion Symbolorum definitionum et Fülle: Wider die falschen Alternativen. Wein- edclarationum de rebus fidei et morum – mann-Stiftung: Dornstetten, 1988. Kompendium der Glaubensbekenntnisse und 11 Ibid., pp. 33–50 (office) and pp. 51–69 kirchlichen Lehrentscheidungen. Lateinisch– (baptism). Deutsch. Herder Verlag: Freiburg, 199137. pp. 12 142–143. See: John Stott. Christsein in den Brenn- punkten unserer Zeit ... 4 ... im sexuellen 2 G. I. Williamson. The Westminster Confes- Bereich. Francke: Marburg, 1988 [Engl. sion of Faith for Study Classes. Presbyterian 1984]. pp. 21–24 (Section „Komplementari- and Reformed Publishing Co: Philadelphia, tät“). 1964, p.26. 13 Alister E. McGrath. Der Weg der christ- 3 The Orthodox Church rejects the addition lichen Theologie. C. H. Beck: München, „... and from the Son (filioque)“. 1997. p. 436 [Historical Theology. Blackwell: 4 G. I. Williamson. The Westminster Con- Oxford, 1997]. fession of Faith for Study Classes op. cit., pp. 14 As Charles Haddon Spurgeon emphasizes in 72–73. his autobiography, predestination and respon- 5 Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker. „Komple- sibility must both be equally emphasized: „Plä- mentarität und Logik“. pp. 281–331 in: Carl doyer für den Calvinismus“ (Title of the 12th Friedrich von Weizsäcker. Zum Weltbild der Chapter), pp. 95–103 in: Charles Haddon Physik. S. Hirzel: Stuttgart, 19587. p. 281. Spurgeon. Alles zur Ehre Gottes: Autobiogra- 6 Wolfgang Buchheim. Komplementarität phie. Oncken Verlag, Wuppertal, 1984, here nach Niels Bohr. Sitzungsberichte der Säch- p. 102–103 [Autobiography. Banner of Truth sischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Trust: Edinburgh, 1973 and many other edi- Leipzig, Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaft- tions]; See also: Iain Murray. Spurgeon – wie liche Klasse 117, 6. Akademie-Verlag: Berlin, ihn keiner kennt. Reformatorischer Verlag H. 1984 and Wolfgang Buchheim (Ed.). Beiträge C. Beese: Hamburg, 1992. zur Komplementarität, the same series, 55,5. 15 Aurelius Augustinus. Schriften gegen die Ibid., 1983. Semipelagianer. Reihe: Sankt Augustinus, 7 Bertelsmann Neues Lexikon in 10 Vols. Vol der Lehrer der Gnade: Deutsche Gesamtaus- 5. Bertelsmann Lexikon Verlag: Gütersloh, gabe seiner antipelagianischen Schriften Bd. 1995. p. 323. 7. Augustinus-Verlag: Würzburg, 19872. p. 8 31. See also: Aurelius Augustin. Vom Gottes- Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker. „Komplemen- staat. Vol 1. dtv: München, 19852. pp. 240– tarität und Logik“. op. cit., p. 284. Weizsäcker 244+361–363. uses these terms to illustrate the classical defi- 16 nition of the quantum theory. His own view is On the last three verses, see: Ibid., pp. somewhat different. 265+95–99. 17 9 See for example Helmut K. Reich. Der Gustav Friedrich Oehler. Theologie des Begriff der Komplementarität in Wissenschaft Alten Testaments. op. cit., p. 258 (sic). See und Alltag. Berichte zur Erziehungswissen- also: Karl Ludwig Schmidt. „Die Verstockung schaft 105. Pädagogisches Institut: Freiburg des Menschen durch Gott“. op. cit., pp. 1–17. (CH), 1994.

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18 Based on Martin Luther‘s usage of „Versto- cken“ in his translation of the New Testament. (See Ibid., p. 5). The Greek and Hebrew texts use varying terms (See Ibid., pp. 9–15). 19 See: James I. Packer. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. IVP: London, 1961 (from the Reformed view of double predestination) and Siegfried Kettling. Typisch evangelisch: Grundbegriffe des Glaubens. TVG. Brunnen: Gießen, 19932. pp. 83–147 (from the Neo- Lutheran view of simple predestination).

TheThe author author

Thomas Schirrmacher earned his doctorates in Theology (Dr. theol, 1985, Netherlands) in Cultural Anthropology (PhD, 1989, USA) and in Ethics (ThD, 1996, USA) and received a honorary doctorate (DD) in 1997. He is president of Martin Bucer Theolo- gical Seminary with campuses in Bonn, Berlin, Hamburg, Vienna, Innsbruck, Prague and Istanbul and holds chairs in ethics, world religions and international development in Germany, USA and India. He is also president of Gebende Hände GmbH (Giving Hands), an internationally active relief organisation, as well as owner of a publishing house and coowner of a consulting company. He is Secretary of the Commission for Religions Freedom of the German and Austrian Evangelical Alliance and member of the same commission of the World Evangelical Fellowship. He has written and edited 74 books. He is married with Dr. Christine Schirrmacher, who holds a chair in the Science of Islam, and is father of a son (12) and a daughther (9).

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