Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Frame on the blessings of the eternally reprobate

Frame, who clearly believes that people are either eternally elect or eternally reprobate, discusses God's goodness to the eternally reprobate in The Doctrine of God:

Therefore, human beings do not all receive the same blessings of God's goodness. Those who are eternally elect receive the fullness of eternal life. Those who are eternally reprobate receive blessings only in this life. Those blessings should not be disparaged. The nonelect experience the goodness of God in a profound way (Acts 14:17), sufficient to convince them of their need to repent (Rom. 2:4). They have no valid complaint that God has not been good to them. Indeed, God has givem them (as to all of us) many more blessings than they deserve. (412)

Frame goes on to discuss God's goodness to all in light of eternal punishment:

Certainly it is hard for us to think of eternal punishment as divine benevolence. A somewhat more satisfying answer to the question is that God is good to creatures in different ways and at different times, depending on their natures and their roles in God's plan for history. His goodness does not obligate him to give the same blessings to all, or to give the same blessings to any creature throughout his existence. If the lost in hell are now receiving no blessing at all, they cannot complain that God was never good to them. During this life, they were surrounded by God's goodness, just like all other creatures. Furthermore, as Scripture often represents it, the wicked typically prosper in this life and oppress the righteous. In the next life, these roles are reversed (Luke 16:19-31). So even the reprobate should confess that God has been good to them, far more than they deserve. (413)

1 comment:

  1. Page 412 and 413.....that's a big mother book!

    Great quotes Jude.

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