Foreword: Post writing this, I have come to the belief that God has both. The elect and the chosen. Proof? see here How do we have free will
Wayne Grudem defines election as follows: “Election is an act of God before creation in which he chooses some people to be saved, not on account of any foreseen merit in them, but only because of his sovereign good pleasure.” Now, this strikes a lot of people as arbitrary and nasty, so let’s take a closer look.
First thing is first, does the New Testament actually teach predestination? To begin with Romans 8:28-30 reads, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” Also look at Acts 13:48; Romans 9:11-13; 11:7; Eph. 1:4-6, 12; 1 Thess. 1:4-5; 2 Thess. 2:13; 1 Tim. 5:21; 2 Tim. 1:9; 1 Peter 1:1; 2:9; and Rev. 13:7-8; 17:8.
How does the New Testament present the teaching of election? Grudem outlines three: (1) as a comfort (Rom. 8:28-30); (2) as a reason to praise God (Eph. 1:5-6, 12); and (3) as an encouragement to evangelism (2 Tim. 2:10).
But isn’t this all fatalistic? Doesn’t it rob us of free choice? We will begin to tackle that tomorrow.
Until then, grace and peace.
Let’s follow Dr. Grudem and deal with misunderstandings of the doctrine of election before we tackle common objections to the doctrine. As Grudem points out, “election is not fatalistic or mechanistic.”
To begin with, God is clearly depicted in Scripture as a caring, loving God not some impersonal force (see Ezek. 33:11, which asserts that God even grieves of the death of the wicked). This is a real being in relationship with His creation, which Scripture teaches is capable of willing choices. Moreover, throughout the New Testament, the followers of Jesus are commanded to preach the Gospel to all (see Acts 18:9-11; Rom. 10:14-17, etc.).
Yet, paradoxically, at least from our limited perspective, Scripture also affirms that election is not based on God foreseeing our faithful response. In fact, Romans 9 most explicitly asserts that election is wholly unmerited and based soley on God’s sovereign good pleasure. If it was based on our response then salvation would be based on merit and we would have room to boast but Scripture is clear that there is no place in Christ for such an attitude (see Rom. 3-4).
Okay, now that we have cleared the lot of some clutter we can begin to deal with the objections to election but that will have to wait until tomorrow.
Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
There have been various objections to unconditional election over the last few centuries.
Objection #1″Election means that we do not have a choice in whether we accept Christ or not.” Wayne Grudem answers “…we must affirm that the doctrine of election is fully able to accommodate the idea that we have a voluntary choice and we make willing decisions in accepting or rejecting Christ. Our choices are voluntary because they are what we want to do and what we decide to do. This does not mean that our choices are absolutely free, because…God can work sovereignly through our desires so that he guarantees that our choices come about as he has ordained, but this can still be understood as a real choice because God has created us and he ordains that such a choice is real. In short, we can say that God causes us to choose Christ voluntarily. The mistaken assumption underlying this objection is that a choice must be absolutely free (that is, not in any way caused by God) in order for it to be genuine human choice.”
Objection #2 “On this definition of election, our choice are not real choices.” Wayne Grudem answers that a choice is a real choice even if it is not absolutely free. This may sound strange but if you think about it, have you ever made a choice wholly independent of your upbringing, personal prejudices, etc. Probably not.
Objection #3 “The doctrine of election makes us puppets or robots, not real persons.” Grudem reminds us that we are made in the image and likeness of God and that we do make “voluntary decisions based on our own preferences and wants.”
Objection #4 “the doctrine of election means that unbelievers never had a chance to believe.” Here we must rely on Scripture which asserts that we voluntarily accept or reject the offer of salvation. For example, take a look at John 8:43-44, “43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. “ Second, but less convincing for those outside the camp, so to speak, is Paul’s argument that we are simply not in a position to argue with God (Rom. 9:20).
Objection #5 “election is unfair!” Yet, true justice would demand that no one be saved. Remember that God is the ultimate good, our sin is a direct offense against Him, thus any who has sinned has commited the ultimate evil and, therefore, deserves the ultimate punishment. We all have sinned and deserve hell but God graciously wills that some be saved.
Objection #6 “The Bible says that God wills to save everyone.” Yet, we paradoxically have free will (albeit not totally free) and have chosen to reject God. Moreover, there is the idea that God has a revealed will and secret will. This has drawn much fire and is beyond the scope here but it is clearly attested in Scripture. Don’t believe me? Read Job. The answer that poor dude gets is, “when you can sit in the Daddy Chair then you will understand…until then (which is never) then shut your pie hole and do what I say.”
Sound harsh? Again, who really deserves salvation?
We will hit the doctrine of “reprobation” later. Until then, grace and peace.