Responsibility (1)

Who bears the responsibility for the fate of man?

The above question is very difficult to answer from a Biblical point of view. The reason for this is that “responsibility” is not a direct Biblical concept. Neither Hebrew nor Greek (the original Bible languages) have an equivalent for this word. That means that if we want to formulate an answer to this question, we are compelled to reason. And that turns out not to be very useful. We shall examine this.

1.The Bible teaches that man “is as clay in the hand of the potter.” Everything we are, possess, do, and leave undone is completely dependent on Him who gives us “life, and breath, and all things” (Acts 17:25). Since God both conceived us and created us, it is logical that He is also 100% responsible for us.

That may be a logical conclusion, but the concept of “responsibility” does not fit in here. According to the Koenen dictionary, “responsibility” means: the obligation to give account. Well then, does this obligation rest upon God? To whom would He be obliged to give account? Who stands above Him? Paul asks rhetorically:

“O man! who art thou that art answering against God? shall the thing formed say to Him who did form [it], Why me didst thou make thus?” (YLT)
Romans 9:20

Read the book of Job. After Job and his friends have fired many questions at God and criticized Him for chapters on end because of His policy, finally God Himself begins to speak (from chapter 38 onward). And what does God do? Does He answer the questions and refute the criticism? Nothing of the sort! The only thing God does is ask many counter-questions. Counter-questions that each in turn must make clear that man should not imagine himself anything. A human being proves not even capable of comprehending the simplest of God’s works of creation. And to such a man should God explain Himself and His roadmap? Scripture repeatedly compares God with a potter who in his studio is busy making creations. The whole idea that such a potter would be accountable to his clay pieces is downright absurd.

“hath not the potter authority over the clay, out of the same lump to make one vessel to honour, and one to dishonour?” (YLT)
Romans 9:21

2.The Bible also teaches that man has become disobedient to God. That this is not without consequence is evident from the fact that God confronts man with the results of it. Man has to give account to God (Hebrews 4:13). God at times punishes, and His judgments are sometimes severe. Does this mean that God thus holds man “responsible”? That is still the question. Parents also rebuke their child and may even give it a spanking. But is such rebuke and punishment based on “responsibility”? No. A small child is not “responsible.” Not even before the law. If a boy of seven robs a cash register or vandalizes the neighbor’s car, he will not be held “responsible” for it. Disciplinary measures (emptying his piggy bank, early to bed, etc.) that result from such deeds are educational in nature but have nothing to do with “responsibility” or “liability.” Punishment and “responsibility” are two different things. Think, for example, of a dog that is trained. If the dog obeys, it is rewarded, and when it does not obey it is punished. Does that therefore make the dog “responsible”? Of course not. Commands, rewards, and punishments are an integral part of dog training. It is the way in which the dog is “formed.”

With man it is in fact no different. God addresses man. He demands that man submit. Listening or not listening to Him certainly has consequences. But for the outcome God Himself is the guarantor. That is not our “responsibility.”

The conclusion must be that the concept of “responsibility” does not really fit in the relation Creator–creature. The Bible does not speak of it, and neither should we. The fundamental truth is, that GOD is our Creator and that He molds and shapes us through His Word and through the ways He goes with us. If necessary through judgments. The end result is fully His affair. The Bible says: He has enclosed all under disobedience, that He might have mercy on all (Romans 11:32). That is not a matter of “responsibility.” That is God’s glory! That is what the Bible calls it.

“Because of Him, and through Him, and for Him [are] all things; to Him [is] the glory — to the ages. Amen!” (YLT)
Romans 11:36

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