The Futility of Synergism

By: U.T. Brito

05-11-04 - In today's Intellectualconservative.ccom, the leading article is entitled: “Is Governor McGreevey ripe for a conversion?” For those who are not familiar with this name, New Jersey Governor James E. McGreevey, is a pro-abortion, pro-gay Catholic Democrat who recently stated he would voluntarily refrain from taking Communion at Mass out of respect for his Archbishop. The title of this article poses a question that finds great support in the broad evangelical domain. In fact, it almost sounds like a Billy Graham crusade. The only change that needs to be made is, instead of asking people to raise their hands or come down the aisle, you can simply ask them if they are ripe enough for conversion. This question reflects in subtle language that much adored but unknown word: Synergism. Synergism is the term used to describe that cooperation that we humans have entered in as we do our small yet substantial part in salvation. In other words, to drive the idea home, think of it as God doing His cataclysmic part in bringing you to himself but then encountering that fortified wall called: Man's Part. The implications of synergism are at least twofold. One, it limits superbly the work of God in salvation. If the decisive vote in salvation is man's, then God is momentarily left out of the picture until man has made up his mind in this eternal decision. Secondly, God who ordains and knows all things from beginning to end, ends up being a spectator in His own world.

The author of the article writes that Governor McGreevey has done well by setting an example to other Catholic Democrats that partaking of the Eucharist is prohibited to those who deny Catholic dogma. What the author fails to mention is that Catholic politicians who refuse to submit to the church's teaching have no intention in ever submitting to it. They have found that votes are won by a denial of set standards. The set standards are not appealing to the common people who are confronted every day in work or in their universities by relativism. Most Catholic Politicians are not concerned about the Pope's ideas on abortion, they are determined to undermine any sort of authoritarian status to achieve their political goals, and as we should know by now it usually doesn't have "Religion" as its top priority.

Throughout the article there is a "come back to the fold" theme interspersed with hopes of repentance and recanting of former ideas. She writes: "Could this be the beginning of a conversion of conscience for Governor McGreevey, the former altar boy?  This could be the first step towards the Governor’s return to Christ and His Church?" Perhaps the most accurate interpretation of the author's intent is that she really desires the governor's return based on his actions. It is noble even for Protestants to desire the abandonment of such abominable positions as pro-choice, but at the same time we desire greater modifications. The expectation of the Christian is that the heart is utterly transformed not by a mere change in thinking, but a radical transformation in living. We, as Orthodox believers who find commonality in various issues with Rome, take a completely different path in our spiritual pilgrimage.

The author's conclusion is her view of what needs to happen to the governor so that he may return to the arms of the church. "The holy remedy now for the Governor is to publicly recant his pro-death mentality on abortion, gay rights, and embryonic stem cell research, go to his bishop for the Sacrament of confession, make reparation for his sins and spend the rest of his life working to undo all the harm he has done.  The recompense will be great." So here in her final words is the answer to what needs to be done to be ripe for conversion. 1) Recant 2) confess 3) make reparation of sins 4) spend your life doing good. Hopefully, by now you are rejoicing that the message of the gospel is antithetical to this message being presented. Paul's words should resonate in our hearts when he said: No one seeks after God. In modern terms, no one is or ever will be ripe enough to be converted. On the contrary, God sees us in all our best efforts, our best conservative perspective on economics, ethics, and social issues as vain and meaningless apart from His work in us. Foolish are the hearts of those who seek the pleasure of God by denying His grace. The marvel of the gospel of Christ to sinners is not in the reparations or recanting, but in the freeness of God's Sovereign gift.