John 6:44—“No man can come to me except the Father … draw him”

Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day (John 6:43-44 KJV).

(I)

Rev. Lau Chin Kwee

[Source: Protestant Reformed Theological Journal, vol. 36, no. 1 (Nov. 2002), p. 32]

R. C. Sproul spoke of a debate he once had at an Arminian seminary on the issue of predestination. At one juncture he pointed out the fact that the Greek word, ἑλκύσῃ (helkysē), as found in John 6:44, has the idea of “drag,” suggesting that the Father compels men to come to Christ. The opponent then quoted its usage by a Greek poet, where water was said to be “drawn” from the well, suggesting that it is ridiculous to say that water was dragged from the well. Sproul then responded that it was more ridiculous to suggest that the water in the well was “wooed” to come forth, as the Arminians would like to suggest that the gospel call does just that—to bring faith out of a person.⁸ The serious call of the gospel has power to draw, which the well-meant offer lacks.

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FOOTNOTE:

8. R. C. Sproul, Chosen by God, pp. 70, 71.

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(II)

More to come! (DV)