An Exegetical Study of John 6:44 on the Sovereignty of God in Drawing Humanity to Christ

Miduk Sampetua Sibagariang; Sri Binar; Soegianto Soegianto

doi:10.33856/kerugma.v8i2.578

Authors

Miduk Sampetua Sibagariang Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Injili Indonesia Surabaya
Sri Binar Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Injili Indonesia Surabaya
Soegianto Soegianto Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Injili Indonesia Surabaya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33856/kerugma.v8i2.578

Keywords:

God’s Sovereignty; Divine Drawing; Salvation; Effective Grace; Divine Election

Abstract

The debate over the role of human free will and the sovereignty of God in salvation has long been an ongoing issue throughout the history of Christian theology, sparking various interpretations and controversies among scholars and denominations. One central focus of this discussion is John 6:44, which serves as a key text in understanding the divine initiative in drawing humans to salvation. This study aims to examine the meaning of the word “draw” in the verse and its implications for the doctrine of salvation. The research employs a qualitative method with an exegetical approach, encompassing contextual, structural, grammatical, literary, lexical, historical, theological, textual, and exegetical analyses. The results indicate that the Father’s act of “drawing” is a divine initiative that is effective and irresistible, not the product of human free will. This finding affirms that salvation is the sovereign work of God from beginning to end. In conclusion, John 6:44 reinforces the understanding of effective grace and divine election within the framework of biblical theology.

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