Responsibility

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 8
This word is generally used in connection with sovereignty; the former applying to man, and being connected with “free will;” the latter with God and His electing grace. To push either doctrine beyond its Scripture limits is to deny the other. The strong Arminian asks, If God be sovereign, how can man be responsible? The high Calvinist, if man be responsible, how can God be sovereign? (See ARMINIAN, CALVINISM &c.). The two truths seem mutually, to our darkened and finite reasons to, exclude each other. Paul himself declines to carry the argument beyond a certain point (Rom. 11:19, 2019Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: (Romans 11:19‑20)), and here, therefore, we may wisely leave it, accepting both truths, but acknowledging that we are not able to reconcile them.