Responsibility (1)

Who is responsible for man’s fate?

The question above is very difficult to answer from a biblical point of view. The reason is that “responsibility” is not a directly biblical concept. Neither Hebrew nor Greek (the Bible’s original languages) has an equivalent for this word. This means that if we want to formulate an answer to this question, we are forced to reason it out. And that turns out not to be very useful. We will examine this.

1. The Bible teaches that man “is like clay in the hand of the potter.” Everything we are, possess, do, and leave undone is entirely dependent on Him, for “He Himself gives to all life and breath and all” (Acts 17:25). Since God both conceived of us and created us, it is logical that He is also 100% responsible for us.

That may be a logical conclusion, but the concept of “responsibility” does not fit here. According to the Koenen Dutch dictionary, verantwoordelijkheid (“responsibility”) means: the obligation to render account. Well then, does this obligation rest on God? To whom, then, would He be obligated to render account? Who stands above Him? Paul asks rhetorically:

O man! who are you, to be sure, who are answering again to God? That which is molded will not protest to the molder, “Why do you make me thus?”

—Romans 9:20

Read the book of Job. After Job and his friends have fired many questions at God and criticized Him for chapter after chapter because of the way He governs, God Himself finally speaks (from chapter 38 onward). And what does God do? Does He answer the questions and refute the criticism? Nothing of the kind! The only thing God does is ask a great many questions in return. Questions that, one by one, make it clear that man should not think too highly of himself. A human being is not even capable of fathoming the simplest of God’s works of creation. And God should have to explain Himself and His roadmap to such a human being? Scripture repeatedly compares God to a molder at work in his workshop, making creations. The whole idea that such a molder would owe an account to his pieces of clay is downright absurd.

Or has not the potter the right over the clay, out of the same kneading to make one vessel, indeed, for honor, yet one for dishonor?

—Romans 9:21

2. The Bible also teaches that man has become disobedient to God. That this is not without consequence is evident from the fact that God confronts man with the results. Man is accountable to God (Hebrews 4:13). God punishes on occasion, and His judgments are sometimes severe. Does this mean that God therefore holds man responsible? That remains to be seen. Parents also rebuke their child and may even give him a spanking. But is such rebuke and punishment based on “responsibility”? No. A small child is not “responsible.” Not in the eyes of the law, either. If a seven-year-old boy empties a cash register or wrecks the neighbors’ car, he will not be held “responsible” for it. Disciplinary measures (emptying his piggy bank, going to bed early, etc.) that result from such actions are educational in nature but have nothing to do with “responsibility” or “liability.” Punishment and “responsibility” are two different things. Think, for instance, of a dog being trained. If the dog obeys, it is rewarded, and when it does not obey, it is punished. Does that therefore make the dog “responsible”? Of course not. Commands, rewards, and punishments are an integral part of dog training. That is how the dog is “formed.”

With man, in fact, it is no different. God addresses man. He demands that man subject himself. Whether or not he listens to Him certainly has consequences. But God guarantees the outcome. That is not our “responsibility.”

The conclusion must be that the concept of “responsibility” does not fit well within the Creator–creature relationship. The Bible does not speak of it, and neither should we. The fundamental truth is that GOD is our Creator and that He kneads and forms us through His Word and through the paths He takes with us. If necessary, through judgments. The final result is entirely His concern. The Bible says: “God locks up all together in stubbornness, that He should be merciful to all” (Romans 11:32).

That is not a matter of “responsibility.” That is God’s honor or glory! That is what the Bible calls it.

Seeing that out of Him and through Him and for Him is all: to Him be the glory for the eons! Amen!

—Romans 11:36

Share: