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Free-will doctrine-what does it? It magnifies man into God. It declares God's purposes a nullity, since they cannot be carried out unless men are willing. It makes God's will a waiting servant to the will of man, and the whole covenant of grace dependent on human action. Denying election on the ground of injustice, it holds God to be a debtor to sinners.
Charles Spurgeon
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote critiques the doctrine of free will, suggesting it elevates human choice to a divine level while undermining God's sovereignty.

Charles Spurgeon's quote critiques the concept of free will as it relates to divine sovereignty. He argues that by emphasizing free will, humanity is placed in a position of power over God, turning divine intentions into mere possibilities that depend on human choices. This perspective suggests that God's plans are contingent upon human action, thereby diminishing God's authority and grace by making Him subordinate to human willingness.

Themes

Free WillDivine SovereigntyHuman ActionGraceChoice

In practice

Example use cases

In a debate about the nature of free will and responsibility, this quote can highlight the theological implications of human choice.

More from Charles Spurgeon

Amusement should be used to do us good “like a medicine”: it must never be used as the food of the man...Many have had all holy thoughts and gracious resolutions stamped out by perpetual trifling. Pleasure so called is the murderer of thought. This is the age of excessive amusement: everybody craves for it, like a babe for its rattle.
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When you see no present advantage, walk by faith and not by sight. Do God the honor to trust Him when it comes to matters of loss for the sake of principle.
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It is far easier to fight with sin in public than to pray against it in private.
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You will never glory in God till first of all God has killed your glorying in yourself.
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After faith comes repentance, or, rather, repentance is faith's twin brother and is born at the same time.
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["All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant."] The original Hebrew word that has been translated "paths" means "well-worn roads' or "wheel tracks," such ruts as wagons make when they go down our green roads in wet weather and sink in up to the axles. God's ways are at times like heavy wagon tracks that cut deep into our souls, yet all of them are merciful.
Charles SpurgeonRead

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