Doomthinking

Originally posted on March 04, 2006 – by Andre Piet

My weblog about the statements of Ad de Boer elicited quite a few responses. Ranging from full agreement to sharp criticism. One type of objection I came across multiple times, and it roughly comes down to this: the doomthinking of Ad de Boer concerning his unconverted brother is justified, because the Gospel is, after all, only a joyful message for those who believe.

My comment:

1. It is not up for debate that salvation and deliverance come only through faith, that is, in calling upon – and thus acknowledging—the one Name. The point, however, is that according to Scripture, every tongue will come to this calling. To the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:9–11).
2. Ad de Boer says he is a believer, yet he becomes terribly downcast when he thinks that what the Dutch Evangelical Broadcasting Network (EO) teaches about the fate of the unconverted (read: his brother) might be true. So apparently not a joyful message for believers after all. Because if, as a believer, you have unconverted loved ones (and who doesn’t?), then you’re left with a horrifying problem. When one of your loved ones dies unconverted, then things will never, never, never be made right again with him or her. That is the teaching, is it not? He or she is damned. Regardless of what exactly that may mean – the very thought of it is un-bear-able. That, supposedly, is the price of love.
3. The greatest tragedy of the message à la the EO lies with God Himself. It is preached that He loves every human being. Infinitely, even, they add. And He would then have to (passively or otherwise) watch how a large portion of His creatures will be alienated from Him forever… Is that not a tragedy?! The Creator Himself turns out to be a loser. He has lost His own beloved creatures… forever! What do you mean, “almighty”? Why would He have created the damned at all, if He knew beforehand that the outcome would be purely detrimental for all involved – including and most of all for Himself? Or did He perhaps not know this outcome, because His creatures had a ‘free will’ and it was therefore even for Him unpredictable (and thus a risk) how the project would turn out? What do you mean, “all-knowing”? Do you see how every version of the damnation concept robs us of a God who is truly GOD?
4. The Evangel is a joyful message for those who believe. In the first place, for… God Himself. For God believes (Rom. 3:3)! He believes like no other in His works, His ability, His love, His Word.
   He seeks the lost. That is His love.
   And He finds the lost. That is His power and almightiness.
   Who would want to deprive Him of this joy?

Delen: