Reading Scripture Through Deterministic Lenses

Although I have offered multiple arguments against exhaustive divine determinism (EDD), one of the best ways to see the absurdity of EDD -- a view advanced by Calvinist scholars -- is to simply read the Bible carefully. That is to say, if one intentionally reads the Bible through deterministic lenses, one will quickly see that determinism opposes biblical Christianity. Indeed, a careful reading of Scripture might provide the most powerful reason to reject determinism. 

A particular event is determined if prior conditions are sufficient to necessitate the particular event. Exhaustive divine determinism is the idea that God provides the prior conditions which are sufficient to necessitate all events -- including all of a person's poor reasoning, false theological beliefs, and sins (mental and physical). I have spilled much ink showing that if EDD is true, then God is an untrustworthy source of theological beliefs (at best) and/or a deity of deception (at worst). In the journal article, An Explanation and Defense of the Free-Thinking Argument (which I co-authored with J.P. Moreland) we offered the following:

. . . since no one is theologically infallible, it follows that every person affirms false theological beliefs. If that is the case it follows that God determines all people—including all theists, which includes all Calvinists—to affirm false theological beliefs. This would mean that our Creator is 

not

a God of truth who desires all people to know the truth (1 Tim 2:4) and, instead, our Creator is relegated to a “deity of deception”. . . If this is the case, and a deity of deception determines all of our beliefs, then we have reason to doubt our beliefs, including our theological beliefs. This can be clarified by the following syllogism:

D1 - For any Christian c, there is at least one theological belief b such that b is false and c affirms b.

D2 -

If EDD is true, then, for any Christian c and any theological belief b, if c affirms b, then God determines c to affirm b.

D3 -

Therefore, if EDD is true, then, for any Christian c, there is at least one theological belief b such that b is false, c affirms b, and God determines c to affirm b.

Clearly, the deductive conclusion implies that, if EDD is true, then God determines all Christ followers to affirm at least one false theological belief 

. . . Thus, if EDD is true, not only do humans lose the power to rationally infer and affirm truth, it seems that the deity of EDD is anything

but

 the God of truth. If God is merely a deity of deception (something far less than a maximally great being), then God does not seem to be significantly different from a Cartesian demon. If a Cartesian demon or a deity of deception causes and determines all of our thoughts and beliefs, then we have reason to doubt important thoughts and beliefs.

With the idea that God determines ALL things, and that ALL humans -- including ALL regenerated, spirit-filled, elect, Christ-followers who study Scripture -- to affirm false theological beliefs until the day they die, consider dozens of passages from Scripture with exhaustive divine determinism in mind. This version will be referred to as the Exhaustive Divine Determinism Version (EDDV) and compared and contrasted with the English Standard Version (ESV).

It will be clear that both ideas of God, The Bible, and Christianity are not created equal. (Note: for the sake of space this is not an exhaustive treatment and only fifty-two passages of Scripture are offered below.)

Proverbs 2:6-7 ESV / ⁶ For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; ⁷ he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

Proverbs 2:6-7 EDDV /⁶ For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; ⁷ he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity ,

Proverbs 4:26-27 ESV / ²⁶ Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. ²⁷ Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.

Proverbs 4:26-27 EDDV / ²⁶ ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure . ²⁷ Do not swerve to the right or to the left ; turn your foot away from evil .

John 8:31-32 ESV /  ³¹ So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:31-32 EDDV / ³¹ So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free .”

John 17:17 ESV /  Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

John 17:17 EDDV /  Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.

John 1:14 ESV /  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 EDDV /  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father , full of grace and truth.

John 16:13 ESV /  When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

John 16:13 EDDV /  When the Spirit of truth comes , he will guide you into all the truth , for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV /  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 EDDV /  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth .

John 1:17 ESV /  For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

John 1:17 EDDV /  For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

Genesis 3:14 ESV /The Lord God said to the serpent,

“Because you have done this,cursed are you above all livestockand above all beasts of the field;on your belly you shall go,and dust you shall eatall the days of your life.

Genesis 3:14 EDDV /The Lord God said to the serpent,

“Because  this,cursed are you above all livestockand above all beasts of the field;on your belly you shall go,and dust you shall eatall the days of your life.

1 John 5:20 ESV /  And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

1 John 5:20 EDDV /  And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding , so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

John 15:26 ESV /  “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.

John 15:26 EDDV /  “But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth , who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.

John 1:1-2 ESV /  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. 

John 1:1-2 EDDV /  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with , and the Word was . He was in the beginning with .

1 John 1:6 ESV /  If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

1 John 1:6 EDDV /  If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness,  we lie and do not practice the truth.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV /  All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 EDDV /  All Scripture is breathed out by and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Ephesians 6:14 ESV / Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Ephesians 6:14 EDDV / Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth >>, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

Zechariah 8:16 ESV /  These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace;

Zechariah 8:16 EDDV /  These are the things that you shall do : Speak the truth to one another ; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace .

Proverbs 12:22 ESV /  Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.

Proverbs 12:22 EDDV /  Lying lips are an abomination to the , but those who act faithfully are his delight.

Proverbs 26: 18-19 ESV / ¹⁸ Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death¹⁹ is the man who deceives his neighborand says, “I am only joking!”

Proverbs 26: 18-19 EDDV /¹⁸ Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death¹⁹ is the who deceives and says, “!”

Psalm 119:160 ESV /  The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

Psalm 119:160 EDDV /  The sum of word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

1 John 4:6 ESV /  We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

1 John 4:6 EDDV /  We are from . Whoever knows listens to us; whoever is not from does not listen to us. By this we know .

3 John 1:4 ESV /  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

3 John 1:4 EDDV /  I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are .

Psalm 145:18 ESV /  The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 145:18 EDDV /  The is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

1 John 2:27 ESV /  But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.

1 John 2:27 EDDV /  But the anointing that you received from abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing <--the one who determines you to affirm false theological beliefs--> teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has , abide in .

1 John 1:8 ESV /  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 1:8 EDDV /  If we say we have no sin, we , and the truth is not in us.

John 14:17 ESV /  Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.

John 14:17 EDDV /  Even the Spirit of , whom the world cannot receive , because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know , for he dwells with you and will be in you.

Philippians 4:8 ESV /  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Philippians 4:8 EDDV /  Finally, brothers, whatever is true , whatever is honorable , whatever is just , whatever is pure , whatever is lovely , whatever is commendable , if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise think about these things.

Proverbs 30:5 ESV /  Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Proverbs 30:5 EDDV /  Every word of proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in .

Proverbs 12:17 ESV /  Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.

Proverbs 12:17 EDDV /  Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence , but a false witness utters deceit .

Psalm 34:13 ESV /  Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

Psalm 34:13 EDDV /  Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit .

2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV /  For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

2 Timothy 4:3-4 EDDV /  For the time is coming when turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

Ephesians 1:13-14 ESV /  In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 1:13-14 EDDV /  In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in , were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit , who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of glory.

Genesis 3:16-17 ESV /¹⁶ To the woman he said,

“I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing;in pain you shall bring forth children.Your desire shall be contrary to^{"><f=">f</a>">} your husband,but he shall rule over you.”

¹⁷ And to Adam he said,

“Because you have listened to the voice of your wifeand have eaten of the treeof which I commanded you,‘You shall not eat of it,’cursed is the ground because of you;in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;

Genesis 3:16-17 EDDV /¹⁶ To the woman he said,

“ I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing;in pain you shall bring forth children.Your desire shall be contrary to your husband,but he shall rule over you.”

¹⁷ And to Adam he said,

“Because  you and have eaten of the treeof which I commanded you,‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you;in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life;

John 16:2 ESV /  They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.

John 16:2 EDDV / They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God .

John 3:18 ESV /  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

John 3:18 EDDV /  Whoever in is not condemned, but whoever not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the .

John 3:16-17 ESV /  “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

John 3:16-17 EDDV /  “For God so loved , that he gave his only Son, that whoever in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn , but in order that might be saved through him.

2 Timothy 2:7 ESV /  Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

2 Timothy 2:7 EDDV /  Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything .

1 Timothy 3:15 ESV /  If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

1 Timothy 3:15 EDDV /  If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth .

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV /  In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

2 Corinthians 4:4 EDDV /  In their case the god of this world the minds of the , to them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of .

Romans 9:1 ESV /  I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit—

Romans 9:1 EDDV /  I am speaking the truth in —I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the —

John 17:8 ESV /  For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me.

John 17:8 EDDV /  For I have given them the words that gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from ; and they have .

John 8:46 ESV /  Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?

John 8:46 EDDV /  Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth , why do you not believe me?

Job 34:12 ESV /  Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.

Job 34:12 EDDV /  Of a truth, God will not do wickedly , and the Almighty will not pervert justice .

1 Kings 17:24 ESV /  And the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth.”

1 Kings 17:24 EDDV /  And the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the in your mouth is truth.”

2 Peter 2:2 ESV /  And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.

2 Peter 2:2 EDDV /  And many will <be determined to>be determined to> follow their sensuality , and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed.

1 Timothy 2:4 ESV / desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

1 Timothy 2:4 EDDV / desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth .

2 Peter 3:9 ESV / The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 EDDV / The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish , but that all should reach repentance .

Galatians 1:6 ESV / I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel

Galatians 1:6 EDDV / I am astonished that so quickly him who called you in the grace of Christ and to a different gospel

Galatians 3:1 ESV / O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? 

Galatians 3:1 EDDV / O foolish Galatians! bewitched you[!]

Galatians 4:9 ESV / But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

Galatians 4:9 EDDV / But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves  want to be once more?

Galatians 5:7 ESV / You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

Galatians 5:7 EDDV / You were running well. hindered you from obeying the truth?

Ezekiel 18:31-32 ESV /

³¹  . . . Why will you die, O house of Israel?³² For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.”

Ezekiel 18:31-32 EDDV /

³¹ . . . die, O house of Israel[!]³² For I have no pleasure in the death of , declares the Lord God; so some of of you I will determined to turn, and live ."

John 8:44 ESV / You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

John 8:44 EDDV / You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do . He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth , because there is no truth in him always determine the elect to affirm false theological beliefs>always determine the elect to affirm false theological beliefs>. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Conclusion 

Jesus is the truth (John 14:6) and Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44). A lie is an intentional misrepresentation of the truth, but if exhaustive divine determinism (EDD) is the truth, then God intentionally determines all people -- including all Christ followers -- to affirm false beliefs about ultimate reality. On the EDD view, God is relegated from a maximally great God of truth into something similar to -- if not worse than -- Satan. God becomes the "father of lies!" 

Exhaustive divine determinism ought to be rejected with every fiber of one's existence! 

Don't let anyone tell you that EDD is biblical or supported by Scripture. The idea that God determines all things opposes The Maximally Great Being's inspired Word and is not compatible with biblical Christianity. Indeed, the EDDV seems to be far worse than the Book of Mormon or the Jehovah's Witnesses New World Translation version of the Bible. 

While I believe there are passages of Scripture which imply that God predestines all things, these verses are completely compatible with Molinism which opposes the EDDV. There are absolutely zero passages of God's inspired word which teach that God determines and necessitates all things (even though God does determine some things). Moreover, there are multiple passages of God's Word that clearly teach the concept of (or heavily imply) libertarian freedom and that make zero sense when read through a deterministic lens. 

Bottom line: Some might assert that this project has been disrespectful to Scripture. I contend that I am merely using satire -- as my friends at The Babylon Bee have shown us -- to expose truth. In this case, the truth of what is entailed by EDD-Calvinism and that when this view is properly understood, it makes a mockery of God's Word. Thus, Bible-believing Christians ought to reject EDD-Calvinism. 

Stay reasonable (Isaiah 1:18),

Dr. Tim Stratton