The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by Anjela Paje of Spokane, WA, from the tape, GC 1301-T, titled "Bible Questions and Answers Part 22."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE.  ©1982. All Rights Reserved.

Question

Did God establish salvation on the basis of faith because of Adam and Eve’s lack of faith?

Answer

No. I don't think so. Now, you into a very difficult area of theology which is known as Lapsarianism. Right? Sublapsarianism, Supralapsarianism or Infralapsarianism. Does that bless your heart?

What it basically means is, you are really asking the question...Did God establish salvation because of what Adam and Eve did? Or, did God establish salvation before Adam and Eve did anything? And, what did God establish first? And, what is the sequence and what is the order? And, the answer to all of that is: I don't know. But, some people are Sublapsarian. Some people are Infralapsarian. Some people are Supralapsarian--and, then there are Labrador Retrievers! And, I really don't know. I am not able to tell you what God did first, so, I tend to say that God didn't do anything as a reaction to what men did. I believe that the reason God has given us salvation by faith, just simply, is because it most exalts Him. Because it eliminates anything that we might do. Right?

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
Box 119
Columbus, New Jersey, USA, 08022
Our websites: www.biblebb.com and www.gospelgems.com
Email: tony@biblebb.com
Online since 1986