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Scott Warren, ETS National Conference, November 17, 2005

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Just as a statement that God is unable to lie points to the certainty that his

character will not do so, I believe that Jesus' statement that natural sinners cannot

come to him is a statement about the fundamental nature of sin in the core of fallen

humanity. He is not suggesting that sinners may want to turn to him, but be

frustrated by their inability (which would be a reason simply to pity them). He is

making a statement about their inclinations (and so they are rightly held guilty).

They will not turn because their hearts are wicked. Unless God changes their

hearts, they will never repent and believe. The point here is that such an

interpretation of texts addressing human ability is entirely consistent with the

normal range of usage in human language. It is also clearly a biblical usage, as we

must at least understand references to God's "inability" in this manner.

We know that there are many limits to human ability and speak of them

ourselves. Yet we use the language of inability to speak both of literal inabilities,

and as a means of speaking to character and inclination in hyperbole. Biblical

language does the same thing. If we were to look at all individual texts that speak

of human inability, we would find some in each category.

Most would be clear as

to which category they fall into. One mechanism to help us discern which usage is

intended is simply to ask "Really, not even if ______ wanted to?" In most cases,

the intention of the text would be evident with the application of this simple, but

revealing, test. Others would require more rigorous exegesis.

In cases where we examine language under a microscope in the context of

theological analysis and insist that "cannot" always and unequivocally means

I should make it clear that I do not understand all texts that speak of human inability in this

manner. Many are intended at face value (still consistent with normal language conventions). For
example, Jesus tells his disciples "apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). Apart from the
need to understand exactly what Jesus means by "nothing,"(He may mean, for example, that they
cannot do anything of real value apart from him; he probably does not mean that they are not able to
breathe, sin or die even though on one level, all of these things are true). I believe he means literally
what he says when he says that they can not. That does not mean they can do nothing, only that they
can do nothing apart from him. With him, they can do much, which is quite his point in the context.
On my own, I cannot travel 500 miles in a day, but driving a vehicle I have done it several times. It
is within my ability if I employ resources at my disposal. This is Jesus' point in John 15. He is
urging his disciples to remain in him so that they would be able to bear much, lasting fruit. (Thus,
Philippians 4:13 is a corollary to John 15:5 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me.")
This is his exhortation in pointing out their very real inability to do so apart from him.

Clearly, all references to divine inability are employing the hyperbole of language to speak to the

purity and soundness of God's character, not to limits in his strength or functional capabilities.