Calvanists do not have a direct answer to how it's rational to be accountable and incapable at the same time. Paul didn't seem to think that matter based on Romans 9:21. I obviously hold to the reformed view but must admit I consider this a paradox. I just accept this as it is written in scripture considering that both can be true at the same time (i.e. Ability and Inability).
As I said before, I think we get the fundamental idea that it is wrong for God to command us to do something that we cannot do from our faulty perception of his authority. Robert, the problem you bumping up against is that you seem to think that God's purposes and commands must make sense to you in order for you to see them as rational. To look for an extrinsic rational reason to which God must conform I think is the wrong approach. I have a different approach. I think that the mere fact that God does what he does and commands what he wills is what defines rationality. Granted, when we look at this dilemma we begin to wonder about his purposes. Why would he command us to do something that we cannot do on our own. The simple answer is that God does all things for his glory. Note that this is not an extrinsic answer. While it may appear that this answer points to an ideal outside of God, it is, in fact, in accordance with his good pleasure. Calvin, when he comments on Romans 9:15, says this:
With regard to the elect,, God cannot be charged with any unrighteousness; for according to his good pleasure he favors them with mercy: and yet even in this case the flesh finds reasons for murmuring, for it cannot concede to God the right of showing favor to one and not to another, except the cause be made evident. As then it seems unreasonable that some should without merit be preferred to others, the petulancy of men quarrels with God, as though he deferred to persons more than what is right. Let us now see how Paul defends the righteousness of God. In the first place, he does by no means conceal or hide what he saw would be disliked, but proceeds to maintain it with inflexible firmness. And in the second place, he labours not to seek out reasons to soften its asperity, but considers it enough to check vile barkings by the testimonies of Scripture.
It may indeed appear a frigid defence that God is not unjust, because he is merciful to whom he pleases; but as God regards his own authority alone as abundantly sufficient, so that he needs the defence of none, Paul thought it enough to appoint him the vindicator of his own right. Now Paul brings forward here the answer which Moses received from the Lord, when he prayed for the salvation of the whole people, "I will show mercy," was God's answer, "on whom I will show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." By this oracle the Lord declared that he is a debtor to none of mankind, and that whatever he gives is a gratuitous benefit, and then that his kindness is free, so that he can confer it on whom he pleases; and lastly, that no cause higher than his own will can be thought of, why he does good and shows favor to some men but not to all. The words indeed mean as much as though he had said, "From him to whom I have once purposed to show mercy, I will never take it away; and with perpetual kindness will I follow him to whom I have determined to be kind." And thus he assigns the highest reason for imparting grace, even his own voluntary purpose, and also intimates that he has designed his mercy peculiarly :for some; for it is a way of speaking which excludes all outward causes, as when we claim to ourselves the free power of acting, we say, "I will do what I mean to do."
In short, I say the rational reason that Calvinists give for how it is rational that God should require of us what we cannot do on our own is this:
...because God said so...
---------- Post added at 08:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:14 AM ----------
Robert, the problem you bumping up against is that you seem to think that God's purposes and commands must make sense to you in order for you to see them as rational.
Sorry, Robert. I should have said, "The problem you seem to be bumping up against..."
---------- Post added at 08:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:23 AM ----------
Perhaps I should add that our sinfulness IS the fact that we cannot do on our own what God commands. The reason this is sinful is because God IS worthy of our submission to his authority.
