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A friend of mine, Charles (not to be confused with Saint Chuckles) invited me to the 'prophecy conference' at Columbia Bible College, yesterday and today, which is where I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies. and also managed to win a Biblical Studies scholarship, with God's guidance, of course.
Interestingly, the main speaker, well-known pastor and biblical scholar, Dr. David Hocking, stated that in regard to 2 Peter 3: 9, it was (paraphrased) written to Christian readers in regard to repentance before they perish. In context, this would be repentance before death, in Jesus Christ.
I have discussed the issue of 2 Peter 3: 9 and repentance in the noted links below...
Back to the conference today at 3: 30.
2019 Canada Prophecy Conference
Second Peter 3: 9 September 30 2012
Second Peter 3 September 17 2016
Predestination Too October 7 2016
From linked article
Quote
Erickson:
We must distinguish between two different senses of God’s will, which we will refer to as God’s “wish” (will1) and God’s will (will2).’ (361).
Will1 is God’s general intention and Will2 is God’s specific intention.
Or it could be stated
Will1=God’s perfect will and Will2=God’s permissible will.
However, there is a theological and philosophical problem. If it is God’s eternal permissible will to save only some, then God caused this in a sense. I reason it can be traced to the fallen human nature that works through limited free will.
As my Hebrews professor told me at Columbia Bible College (paraphrased), although we all have a fallen nature outside of Christ by default, some have a fallen nature that will never accept Christ and be acceptable to God. Others will be regenerated.
Therefore, God’s eternal, perfect will would actually be for some to reject him and remain everlastingly outside of his Kingdom, although in a sense, God wishes it would be otherwise, as can be seen biblically and theologically in 2 Peter 3: 9 and 1 Timothy 2: 4.
There are various interpretations, however. The question arises if God wishes to save all people as in all individuals or all peoples? I have seen the all peoples explanation raised in Reformed writing and dialogue.
This places doubt that God's wish is God's perfect will. Rather it may be a divine wish. God wishes salvation for all (universalism) within his will, but it will not occur.
This is not outlandish or unreasonable. On one hand, God desires me not sin, he does not tempt me (James 1), but on the other hand God created humanity with an eternal plan of salvation from sin. This implies significantly free creatures that will sin is the eternal plan.
God, in my view, could create significantly free finite creatures than remain morally perfect, in a finite sense.
The classic example, being angels that did not fall. Jesus Christ was both God and perfect man. He never appealed to the sinful nature inherited by Adam and Eve.
The atonement, resurrection and gospel work are from and in God’s perfect will (Ephesians 1, those chosen in Christ before the foundation of the word, implied eternal), I reason, and this leads to God ultimately producing humanity as desired within the Kingdom of God from start to finish.
Second Peter 3 July 1 2018
Second Peter 3 December 8 2018
From linked article
The necessary, what exists by necessity, to parallel this philosophical concept with that which is biblical, has plans that exist within the contingency of finite creation, in the context of the material universe and as well with the existence of finite angelic and demonic beings.
Biblically and based on theological and philosophical reason: God, as what is necessary can complete divine plans with options, however, as they take place within a contingent reality...
I see two options:
1. Perfect will
Direct cause
2. Permissible will
Indirect cause
Allowing
---
2 Peter 3 8-9
8 But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
As I read in Erickson, that is a Calvinist theologian, taking his idea (paraphrased) as a reasonable theological possibility (361). God's perfect will is that all are saved. (2 Peter 3). God's permissible will is only those chosen are saved. (Ephesians 1-2, Romans 8-9).
There is also a reasonable objection that it is theologically possible that it is God's perfect will that occurs, at least in regard to human salvation and the citizenship of those within the culminated Kingdom of God.
In that case, 2 Peter 3, is not discussing salvation but the repentance of those in Jesus Christ. The 'you' being those already covered by the atoning and resurrection work of Jesus Christ. Those in the Christian Church reading the scripture.
ERICKSON, MILLARD (1994) Christian Theology, Grand Rapids, Baker Book House.
