In our previous entries on this series we have stated that there is a connection between predestination and Romans 8:28. If all things do, in fact, work together for the good of the elect, then those things must be controlled by God in some way. In the minds of many, this is enough to give semblance to the absolute predestination of all things, an unacceptable conclusion. It seems to be the majority opinion of the Conditionalist faction of the Primitive Baptists, therefore, that the “all things” under consideration in Romans 8:28 is to be understood in some limited sense. I say it’s a majority for in my years spent amongst them I noticed there was even a division amongst themselves in regards to this particular passage. I can recall countless references to this text in which ministers would aggressively condemn the all-inclusive view, yet at other times another would hint at it by citing the Adamic sin or the evil workings of Joseph’s brethren as prime examples that all things work together for the good of God’s children! I can even recall private discussions I had with elders. Some, despite the incompatibility, would nevertheless espouse an all-inclusive take on the passage, claiming that “all things” do work together for good. Others I've met with maintained that “many things” work together for good, but not all. Still others would state that only the “five things” of verse 29 and 30 are what is under consideration!
What inconsistency! What confusion! Such lack of agreement on such a pivotal passage cannot be healthy to a congregation, especially when they hear all three applications of this text from time to time. Which one are they to believe?
If the Conditionalists are to remain consistent with their rejection of absolutism, they must reject the all-inclusive view of Romans 8:28. The fact that there are some who yet maintain it, despite its inconsistency with conditionalism, only serves to demonstrate the confusion which reigns among those who have been destroyed for lack of knowledge. Perhaps the problem is that there are such glaring examples in the Bible (e.g. Adam’s sin, the story of Joseph and his brethren, the events surrounding the death of Christ) that are just crying out the truth that all things are flowing according to God’s purpose! It’s hard to deny this when one honestly examines the great epochs of Biblical history, for no doubt the hand of the Lord was there! Yet at the very moment the Conditionalist sees this, he may also see that he is following a path that may lead to absolutism, and must now deny it in order to remain true to his position. In order to get over this hump and be able to rightly render unto God the praise that Romans 8:28 was meant to convey, the objections to absolutism must therefore be conquered. If it was understood that these objections are only superficial, that God’s holiness is not violated by an espousal to it as commonly thought, maybe this could be done.
A good starting place for many is to read Brother Stephen’s recent chapters on predestination as some of these superficial objections are addressed, and what is usually presumed about absolutism is straightened out.
With that in mind, let’s hear our forefathers once more.
“In this wrong world, right does not always take place. “Truth faileth in the streets, and equity cannot enter;” hence, victory and triumph often attend the basest tyrant, while the unoffending are trodden down like the mire of the street. The king of Babylon conquered and subjugated more than twenty-five kingdoms (see Jeremiah xxv.) and made them drink the bitter cup. The Lord used him as a scourge to those wicked nations; but, as they had done the king of Babylon no harm, he was wicked in his offensive wars upon them; and, therefore, in his turn, the king of Sheshach (Babylon) was made to drink after them.RIGHT will finally take place. Though the contest between truth and error, right and wrong, is long, and, to appearance, very doubtful in its issue, yet truth and right must triumph at last. (John Leland, “Free Thoughts on War” – 1816, The Writings of Elder John Leland pp. 454, 468 – 1845)
“But none of these things should move us, let us be sure we are right and then go right ahead; for all things shall work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For God cannot be disappointed, nor can he be frustrated; for he will save his foreknown people, though it may appear gloomy at the present, when error abounds and false doctrine is afloat in the world.”( William Thomas, The Primitive Baptist, Dec. 1839)
“But amidst great and distressing apostasy from the faith, in different ages and at different periods in the history of the church, a people formed of the Lord have lived, and, blessed be God, such a people now live, as monuments and living witnesses of the truth, that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church. Amidst all the cruelties the devil could invent, and the relentless church of Rome could inflict, this people were sustained and provided for; and indeed almost every age tells of some new theory of religion, and consequently of some untried cruelty, oppression or opposition exercised against the people of God.But the Lord is their Refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And in this age,—outnumbering any other, perhaps, in the multitude of its institutions and converts to the various systems of men, should we be surprised to meet with the frowns, contempt, and scorn of the high dignitaries of the church? (so called.) Should we account it strange if we are tried with fiery trials? If we are persecuted for righteousness’ sake? O, no! But strange, and no less true, that God such poor, weak, and worthless worms hath formed to show forth his praise; making manifest his strength in our weakness, and supplying grace according to our day and according to our trial.—The opposers of the truth and advocates of the anti christian interest can go no further than God permits—no further than is consistent with God’s purpose, which associates the true interests of his people with his glory. Not only, then, SHALL all these things work together for the good of them that love him, of the called according to his purpose, but they do so work, even now.”(1843 Circular Leter of the Rappahannock (Virginia) Association)
“While contemplating the charms of nature, with all its beauty, and reflecting on the wise order of the natural government of matter, both animate and inanimate, we are led to think, also, of the government of God in matters pertaining to the spiritual kingdom. The first thought that presents itself to us is the certainty and immutability of all things pertaining to this kingdom. While thousands are vacillating and have no fixedness of purpose, and consequently do not enjoy the sweets of fellowship with the Father; he has been pleased to reveal himself to us in such a manner that we can appreciate all the promises, claim them as our own, and go on our way rejoicing, with the full assurance “That he worketh all things after the counsel of his own will, and that all things work together for good to those who love God, who are the called according to his purpose.”(Benjamin Lloyd, Signs of the Times vol. 25 no. 10, May 1857)
“Now, brethren, let us trust in God, who works all things after his own will, and has promised that all things shall—not may, if I can—no, but shall work together for good to them who are the called according to his purpose, (not ours) no, but his purpose. So let him be God, and we his poor needy creatures looking to him and depending on him to work in us to will and do that which is right and acceptable before him. For he says, ye the saints, or the church, are my workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which he hath before ordained that ye should walk in them.”(Rudolph Rorer, The Primitive Baptist vol. 10 no. 1, Jan. 1945)
“Shall we distrust the sovereign ruler of heaven and earth? Shall we believe that poverty is a curse? Shall we deny the providence of God, and say some things work together for good to them that love God; and some work together for evil? Shall we wish to be better situated than our master, who had not where to lay his head? Recollect that God hath chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith and heirs of the inheritance.”(N.S. McDowell, The Primitive Baptist vol. 10 no. 9, May 1845)
“What power can hinder him from reigning, when the powers that be are ordained of Him, and He working all things after the counsel of His own will? If there was something that He (God) did not have perfect control of, then there might be a possibility of Him (God) not reigning. But we hear David saying, “The wrath of man shall praise Him, and the remainder of wrath will He restrain.” We learn by this that all over and above that will praise God, He restrains.We see a manifestation of this in the case of Job. The Lord told the devil he could go so far and no farther; and in the case of the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage; and also in the case of Joseph. Joseph’s brethren thought to kill Joseph, but God did not intend they should, and so the men came along (not by chance at all) and bought Joseph. “God works in a mysterious way His wonders to perform.” It is by Him that all things work together for good to them that are called, according to His purpose. We may not understand or see how this can be, yet it is so.” (B.F. Pyron, The Gospel Messenger vol. 16 no. 5, May 1894)
“This earthly ball has made another annual circuit, during which time the children of God have passed through many scenes; to some of joy, while others have drank of the bitter streams, and tasted the worm wood and the gall; but with all these things they are made to rejoice in the King of Israel, who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Knowing that all things work together, for good to them who are called of God, not according to their works, but according to his grace and mercy, by which they are saved. Among other precious privileges, we are made to rejoice that there is a medium of correspondence for the children of God to tell to each other their joys, sorrows, and their varied trials.” (Peterson K. Parr, Signs of the Times vol. 25 no. 12, Jun. 1857)
“The finite mind cannot see how all the deep afflictions and temptations of the way, can work for good until they are brought to pass through them, and experience a deliverance from them, and then they know that nothing is too hard for God to perform. He has chosen us in a furnace of afflictions, and it is a part of his children’s legacy; for “In the world ye shall have tribulation; but in me ye shall have peace. Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” (William Hawkins, Signs of the Times vol. 25 no. 12, Jun. 1857)
“I deeply sympathize with you and dear Sister Respess, as the blow falls heavily upon the parent’s heart. Our heavenly Father in mercy and love afflicts his dear children. We cannot see through his dispensations, but we believe he doeth all things well; and what they know not now, they will know hereafter. God has been pleased to chasten his dear people in the furnace of affliction, but in the store house of his mercy his promised grace is secured: For as their days their strength shall be. His promises are sure; they can not fail.He will be with them their troubles to bless,And sanctify to them their deepest distress;As you in your letter did most fully testify, in regard to the presence of the blessed Saviour being manifested to you and your dear companion. I can testify of a truth that in my greatest trials, and sorest conflicts, and most heart rending bereavements, I have realized most sensibly the sustaining arm of our mighty Redeemer. I am fully confident God will be with his people; but the great question with me is, Am I a child of God? I am fully confident that Brother and Sister Respess are heirs of promise; therefore all of their afflictions will work for their good and the glory of God.”(Martha Maria Hassell, The Gospel Messenger vol. 4 no. 2, Feb. 1882)
“When we turn our attention to matters of our own country we see agitation and disorganization in the religious community: the object of which seems manifestly to eventually bring our political government under the control of religious bigotry and tyranny of priestcraft. We see that the priesthood, calling themselves the clergy of the New England States, have already attempted to seize the reigns of our political government by dictating to and pronouncing anathemas against the officers while in the discharge of their official and constitutional duties.Whatever may be the result of these commotions, none of us is able to foresee; be we feel assured, brethren, that all these things are under the control of Him who holds the disposal of all events, and orders all things after the counsel of his own sovereign will; and we believe, also, that all these commotions have their appointed time and place in the fulfillment of the prophecies of the holy Apostles and prophets of old, and will be overruled by the mighty power of God for the good of his chosen ones; and we rejoice, brethren, that we have no knowledge of any of the Old School Baptist churches, or ministers, who have taken part in this pretended religious crusade in political affairs.” (1854 Circular Letter of the Lower Canoochie (Georgia) Association)
“The righteous are often cast down, and that too by the “mighty hand of God,” but it is all for their good, and he will exalt them in due time, just at the right time, so that though they are “cast down, they are not destroyed;” (2 Cor. iv.9) the Lord will still hear them in the day of trouble, for he is “good, a strong hold in the day of trouble, and knoweth them that trust in him.” Nahum i. 7.” (William M. Mitchell, Signs of the Times vol. 19 no. 2, Jan 1851)
“My mind seems clouded in darkness this morning from some cause, best known to our great Mediator. Some have made use of expressions to me similar to this: “If I were a child of God I would not have so many dark seasons to pass through;” but if a christian is always in the light, I am not one. But I think it just as necessary for us to have winter as summer, for if we had summer all the time we would not know how to appreciate it; but, after we have a long cold spell, until everything freezes up, O how glad we are to see warm, pleasant weather; we know how to appreciate it; so it is when we have a long, cold, and dark nights, we know how to appreciate day; thence, find it to be experimentally true concerning those dark and cold seasons which we have to pass through; then we can say with the apostle, that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Hence, we believe that those seasons are all for our good; but when we are passing through those seasons they are very painful to us at the time, and we cannot see how they will work out for our good, but we learn more while we are in that condition than any other time. We are taught where our dependence or help lies; that it does not lie in an arm of flesh, but in God, and him alone. For David says, “The Lord is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”What a blessed thought to the child of God, that the Lord is his refuge, his strength and keeper, for we are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time, but sometimes we almost feel that the Lord has forsaken us; but bless his holy name, he says he will never leave us nor forsake us. Then how can we fall with such a prop as our redeemer God? For the christian is fenced in on every hand from the snares of Satan; they are fenced with the WILLS and SHALLS of JEHOVAH. Hence, we conclude that all of our chastisements are for our good—for he says, “As many as I love I rebuke and chasten.” (Lee Hanks, The Gospel Messenger vol. 6 no. 1, Jan. 1884)
"All things that God has done and is doing, is right; to the natural mind many things he does seems hard, and the world finds much objection to the doctrine of grace; but through, or by faith only, we acknowledge the great truth of the scripture heading this article; that the great governor of all worlds is working all things for their good—that is, to those that love God. This moves me to a close examination this night to find out if I can, if I was ever favored with this love. O, do I love God; am I the called according to his purpose? This is, no doubt, the solemn inquiry of every heaven born soul.’Tis a point I long to know;Oft it causes anxious thought;Do I love the Lord or no—Am I his or am I not?The head and representative of the church that loved his people with an everlasting love, has done all things well for the called. There is nothing more certain than God’s purpose was from all eternity, that his people should receive every blessing that they enjoy in this world, ever had, or will enjoy. Every trial, my brother and sister, that you meet with in this life, is for your good, however hard it may seem; if you love God, the evidence is, he first loved you; he foreknew you, and that before the world was." (S.M. Anderson, "Rom. viii. 28," The Gospel Messenger vol. 7 no. 7, Jul. 1885)
"We should remember that these afflictions only endure for ‘awhile.’ Sorrow is for the night, but joy cometh in the morning. Our head and husband was made perfect through suffering, and we are only made conformable to his death, as also to his life; and if we die daily, or bear the marks of the Lord’s dying in our body, what of that? If we are thus made to bear the image or make manifest the life of Christ? Then let us try not to murmur or complain while we stay here; for these light afflictions, which are but for a moment, or at most ‘ten days,’ are not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed. All the afflictions and night seasons, as well as times of rejoicing from the presence of the Lord, work together for the good of those who are the called of God." (John N. Hurst, The Gospel Messenger vol. 8 no. 11, Nov. 1886)
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