God's Sovereignty and Free Moral Agency: how both truths are biblically consistent

By J. R. Graves and Peter Lumpkins

J. R. Graves has been described by one historian as one who "influenced Southern Baptist life of the 19th century in more ways, and probably in a greater degree, than any other person." Over several decades, Graves was editor of The Tennessee Baptist, one of the most enduring and influential denominational papers across the sout

• Language: English
• Publisher: Voices of the Free Church
• Release date: Dec 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781939283146

J. R. Graves

James Robinson "J.R." Graves was born in Chester, Vermont on April 10, 1820. His father tragically died only a few weeks after he was born. And, while his family was heir to his father's profitable business, it was stolen from his wife by his father's partner in business. Consequently, with little means upon which to raise her children, J.R. never received a proper education growing up. Not to deter him, J.R. became a self-educated man. And it worked. Graves became a prolific author, magnetic speaker, fierce debater, and able scholar in his own right. After serving as editor of The Tennessee Baptist beginning in 1848, Graves died and passed on to his eternal reward in 1893.

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Preface

Free Church Press is honored to offer this short compilation by James Robinson J.R. Graves (1820-1893). Graves served as editor of The Tennessee Baptist beginning in 1848 and served several decades until his death in 1893 (see About J.R. Graves).

The selections deal with Graves’ understanding of the relationship of God’s sovereignty and human free will and are taken as published in three consecutive editions in 1848—January 27, February 3, and February 17, respectively. No overt attempt has been made to correct grammatical errors unless clarity was at stake.  Nor was there need to insert either commentary or footnotes. One of Graves’ most evident gifts was his ability to persuade the masses as his paper’s wide circulation so amply attests.

Each article was originally published as three propositions. Though the Introduction was originally published at the beginning of Proposition I, by editorial decision, it is printed separate from Proposition I in this volume. We trust no breach in the context occurred while clarity prevailed.

A note should be included to expand briefly on what was suggested above--an absence of critical commentary on these short articles especially in light of the contentious nature of the subject. As stated elsewhere, the intellectual wrestling over God's sovereignty and human free will has gained the attention of both theologian and philosophers for centuries, millenniums even. And given there appears as much argument over the compatibility or incompatibility between the two propositions as yesteryear, it seems to follow that no one has yet proposed an argument so compelling on either side as to lay the issue to rest.

Consequently, it should not be assumed that a mere three articles in a denominational newspaper written for mass consumption was, or is now, presented as the last word, so to speak, on the subject. Free Church Press does not think so. Indeed it remains most probable that not even J.R. Graves, were he alive today, would so boldly claim!

So while Graves reasons soundly and interprets properly many passages of Scripture in these short articles, some readers undoubtedly will discover places where he falls short in his presentation. We expect thinking Christians to critically engage Graves' works like any other works, especially judging his conclusions in light of biblical revelation--our final, sufficient, and unerring standard in determining truth.

Like all men, J.R. Graves was a man with feet of clay. He did not get