Deadwheat1224 said:
I'm thinking its probably my religious upbringing... but I'm having trouble with this idea that God does not call/drag/draw everyone to him. My thought has always been that since God wants to be united with all of his children, that he calls (or drags) everyone to himself.
Can someone help me understand where this comes from and how it fits into the nature of God as being all-good and perfectly loving?
I think the reason you are having trouble with this is because most people do not take the context into account. This passage, John 6:44 was spoken to the Jews ( the only ones that Christ came to) and was spoken of the time of Jesus' earthly ministry. During that time God was preparing the Crucifixion, We have several quotes of the Jews being blinded. This blinding was done on purpose in order to bring about the Crucifixion.
We can reconcile John 6:44 rather quickly though. Look at what was going on. Jesus said in John 6:44 that no one could come to Him unless the Father draws him, then in John 12:32 Jesus says he will draw all men. We have what appears to be two conflicting statements, however when we look at the totality of Scripture we see otherwise. The reason no one could come to the Father during Jesus Ministry was because the mystery had not yet been revealed. The Gospel was being preached but only certain people were given understanding to comprehend it. After Christ went to the cross the entirety of the mystery was revealed. Before the cross, the mystery was hidden and only revealed to certain people, because God was setting up the crucifiction.
Mark 4:10-12 ( KJV ) [sup]10[/sup]And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. [sup]11[/sup]And he said unto them,
Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all
these things are done in parables: [sup]12[/sup]That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and
their sins should be forgiven them.
Here Jesus clearly says that the 12 and those believers with them were given to understand the mystery. So while Jesus was on earth only those who were drawn by the Father could come to Him. Even the apostles did not understand the mystery. Jesus had to open the understanding of the apostles so that they could understand the Scriptures,
Luke 24:44-49 ( KJV ) 44And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, 46And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48And ye are witnesses of these things. 49And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
Even the apostles did not understand the mystery until Christ opened their understanding, this is why no one could come to Christ unless the Father drew them. However, once Christ went to the cross, things changed. Hence Jesus statement, if I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me. Even Paul acknowledges this,
1 Corinthians 2:6-10 ( KJV ) 6Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: 7But we speak the
wisdom of God in a mystery,
even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10But
God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
Paul says that the mystery was hidden and not revealed (that is why no one could come to Christ unless drawn by the Father). He says that if the princes of this world had known it the would not have crucified Christ, hence the reason for hiding it. But Paul says, now it has been revealed (after the cross, so that the princes of this world could not interfere) to us. The us is the apostles. Consider What Paul says here,
Ephesians 3:1-6 ( KJV ) 1For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: 3How
that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the
mystery of Christ)
5Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:
Ephesians 3:7-11 ( KJV ) [sup]7[/sup]Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power. [sup]8[/sup]Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; [sup]9[/sup]And to make
all men see what
is the fellowship of
the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: [sup]10[/sup]To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly
places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, [sup]11[/sup]According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:
Paul says that He is a minister of this mystery to make all men see.
Romans 16:25-27 ( KJV ) [sup]25[/sup]Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ,
according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, [sup]26[/sup]But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: [sup]27[/sup]To God only wise,
be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.
Again, Paul says that the mystery was not made known in other ages as it is now revealed to His holy apostles and prophets. This is the reason that no one could come to Christ unless drawn by God prior to the cross, because the mystery had not yet been revealed. However, after the cross the mystery was revealed to the apostles and they spread the mystery. So, the mystery is no longer hidden, anyone can come to Christ now, hence Jesus statement, if I be lifted up I will draw all men unto me. John also said that Christ gives light to every man that comes into the world.
Here is link to an article that explains this in more detail.
http://www.pfrs.org/calvinism/calvin10.html