Berkouwer emphasizes that his
reinterpretation of election "has nothing to do with a devaluation of
divine sovereignty. It is not motivated by respect for the autonomy of
the free man" (A Half Century of Theology, p. 95). He sought to affirm
divine election while avoiding the dangers of determinism. Describing
the process by which he reached this position, he wrote, "in the Bible's
radical and open character, I found a way of speaking that is not
defined by some darksome eternal background, but by the way of history"
(A Half Century of Theology, p. 100; Divine Election, p. 71) - "I did
not have to posit indeterminism over against determinism" (A Half
Century of Theology, p. 101).
E J Young argues that one’s doctrine of Scripture is derived from either experience or Scripture, either natural man or supernatural God. Young does speak of the human character of Scripture. It does, however, seem that the supernatural-natural dichotomy underlies his doctrine of Scripture. He turns to the Bible “to discover what it has to say of itself” (p. 40). It is questionable, however, whether his view is not grounded in a notion which tends to set divine and human activity over against each other. Young rejects a mechanical theory (p. 65). It does, however, appear that his own view is really no more than a modification of this view. His interpretation of the working of the Spirit in the inspiration of Scripture is not directly identifiable with mechanical dictation (pp. 79-80). It does seem, however, that there is a tendency to move in that direction. * Here are some statements from Young. - “Without Him (God) there could have been no Bible. Without man th...
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