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Jeremiah 18:3-12 – The Calvinistic Potter
Sovereignty of God! But please notice contrary to the Calvinistic doctrine of Sovereignty, God allows man to freely choose his own fate! If we take this visual aid and parable too far, further than intended, we have God – the potter – having the clay – people – become flawed “in His own hands.”
If God is Sovereign, can He choose for man to have free will? If He cannot, then He is not sovereign!
- Sovereignty means God chooses to punish and reward based upon man’s free will.
- Sovereignty does not mean God chooses to punish and reward based regardless of free will.
The point is that God’s sovereignty is based upon His love. “Can I not do?” is a question God asks, and the answer must always be understood that whatever God does is consistent with His character.
It is important not to read into more than the illustration is intended to teach. Calvinists do this in removing God’s explanation of the molding being based upon man’s use of his free will (which they deny). As an example of limiting the illustration’s point, look at the following: But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter (v.4). Potter’s make mistakes – does God?
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