fatalism
Definition
Fatalism is the unbalanced view that sees God as sovereign while denying the authority He gave man. In this corpus, fatalism is rejected as a one-sided theology that acknowledges God’s sovereignty but denies man’s responsibility on his own level. The difference from restorationism is that fatalism excuses sin (“God is sovereign, therefore I had no choice”) and denies the need for repentance, while restorationism maintains man’s accountability and the pedagogical purpose of judgment.
Jones points out that fatalism arises when one recognizes boulema (God’s plan) but forgets thelema (God’s will that men obey). With such an unbalanced view, the fatalist always blames God for everything and takes no responsibility:
“A fatalist is one who sees God as sovereign without understanding the authority that God gave man. With such an unbalanced view, the fatalist can always blame God for everything and take no responsibility for his actions.” [Jones, Free Will Versus Ownership, ch. 3]
Fatalism leads to passivity: “God is sovereign; therefore I can do whatever I want, He planned it anyway.” Jones cites 2 Sam. 24:1 vs. 1 Chron. 21:1 — God caused David to number Israel, but David still repented (2 Sam. 24:10):
“David was not a fatalist. He took responsibility upon himself and did not use the sovereignty of God as an excuse for his sin.” [Jones, Free Will Versus Ownership, ch. 3]
Uses per Author
Stephen Jones
Jones contrasts fatalism with a balanced view: man has authority (and is accountable on that level), but God’s sovereignty stands above. Both are true on different levels:
“Joseph recognized that events occurred on two levels — by man’s authority and by God’s sovereignty. Joseph told his brothers: ‘Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place?’ (Gen. 50:19).” [Jones, Free Will Versus Ownership, ch. 3]
The restoration of all things is not a fatalistic “everything turns out good automatically,” but a process of judgment and correction in which man remains accountable:
“God’s judgment in the ‘lake of fire’ is there not to torture them, but to bring them under the judgments of the divine law — the ‘fiery law’ of Deut. 33:2.” [Jones, Free Will Versus Ownership, ch. 3; Isa. 26:9]
Jones identifies the pattern in Pharaoh: Pharaoh resisted God’s thelema (will), but could not resist God’s boulema (plan). God hardened Pharaoh’s heart for a purpose — that Egypt might know Yahweh (Ex. 7:5):
“God’s purpose of judgment is not to destroy them, but that they might know that He is the true God!” [Jones, Free Will Versus Ownership, ch. 3]
Watchman Nee / Witness Lee
Nee/Lee warn against fatalistic trust in grace without holiness. The believer must actively cooperate with God’s Spirit; passivity is an expression of the flesh.
George Warnock
Warnock emphasizes that God does not force men but leads them. Fatalism arises when one uses God’s sovereignty as an excuse not to pray or strive.