Unconditional Election in my mind is the most heinous of the Tulips we are tiptoeing through because is creates an interesting an unbiblical view of God. When Wesley talked of it it said that it created a portrait of God that made God the devil. I agree.
The doctrine of unconditional election states that a person is predestined to heaven or hell before they are ever born. In short, God decided who will be with him in heaven or hell before they are even created. In short we have picture of God who is sitting on a throne who is throwing people right and left into heaven or hell before they have done anything. My problems with this are enormous.
1) How is God just if he does this? The defense I have heard is that God's justice is different than ours, but this is not so. God tells us what justice is and then declares himself many times to be its definition that we should follow and that we can know justice by knowing him.
2) Biblically this hard to support as every story that is told about final judgment tells us that people are judged by their actions as well as whether or not they possess faith in Christ. The names being blotted out of the book of life in Revelation is a particularly telling comment, overcoming to the end, and the words in Romans speaking of 'whosoever will' are expressions that cover the Bible with one idea -- there is a choice to be made by us that affects our salvation. it is a relationship entered into by covenant of BOTH parties including us.
The fact is that Calvin was trying to make God super sovereign and in so doing he robbed God of justice. He has turned the loving God into the unmerciful devil.
Some of the fruit I have seen of this doctrine are telling: One man I heard of burned himself to death because he believed that he was predestined to hell and he wanted to shorten the trip. Probably the most heinous thing it does is it justifies an antinomian attitude. Such a doctrine does more to fuel the 'let us sin that grace abound idea than any other. Calvinists I have talked to say this is not the case but ultimately does it matter what you do as a Christian. If you live righteously you go to heaven if your predestined to heaven, but even if you don't you are still predestined to heaven your going even if you sleep around or are a drunkard, etc. People living in sin openly because of a lack of fear of justice of God because you see they are predestined to heaven or Once Saved Always Saved doctrines that come from it abound.
In then end, I am pretty sure this is not what the Bible teaches. It teaches to enter into a walk with through Christ by covenanting with him through his blood. To continue in that walk overcoming sin and situation through the Holy Spirit and to continue to the end. Unconditional election makes salvation a one shot wonder that really ultimately has no bearing in how we live our life.
Next: L -- Limited Atonement or Jesus' Blood Only Has So Much Power
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This is a tough one for me. I certainly don't believe God arbitrarily elects, on the other hand - there are numerous passages that clearly teach He chooses us, not vice versa.
ReplyDeleteWhat isn't clear is why He chooses who He does. Because we don't know, that somehow ends up equaling His reasons must not be just. But as you say, there are plenty of other passages which shed enough light into God's character that should teach us that God is always just, even when we don't know the reasons.
Why does God elect? For me it is in response to faith. Relationships are two way streets and I find it hard to believe that anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will not be saved.
ReplyDeleteI find the passages on election to be about his chioce of a people not individuals. God chooses a people for himself. In our case the church is chosen, those who have faith are a part of the church. The problem is that there are also verses that say we have something to do with it as well.
I certainly don't believe God would reject anyone who calls on Him either.
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean, "We have something to do with it"? Are you referring to salvation?
Is it okay to ask questions here? Sorry if I'm breaking any rule. :)
Paula,
ReplyDeleteI think I will answer your question when I talk about Irresistable Grace. Yes, it is OK to ask questions but Can You Wait? There is no rule about quesitons though. ;)