Divine Election

10/22/2005

Ken Nisewanger

Divine Election Introduction: The purpose of this paper is not to provide the only interpretation of the scriptures, but rather to provide a basis for further investigation. Simply taking someone else’s view does not replace proper research, questions and prayer. If you choose to use this document, use this only as part of further research. Fides quaerens intellectum (faith seeking understanding), Anselm of Canterbury (1033 – 1109).

Divine Election There are several issues pertaining to Divine Election. These include whether it is conditional or unconditional, whether it is irresistible or not and several more. We will limit this discussion to God’s sovereignty, the election and whether it is conditional. The question of Divine Election has caused many discussions and some jokes. The thought that God does not give everyone a chance for salvation is sometimes hard to accept or understand. It has been said ‘how can a God condemn people without a chance for salvation’. We will examine some of these questions from a Calvinist point of view.

Assumptions Our assumption and faith is that our God is Divine. As such, He is infallible, omnipresent and omnipotent. Our God is our Sovereign Lord. The bible is the divinely inspired word of God. The bible is not just a reference given to a specific culture or time; rather it is for all people and is the word of God for all times.

What is ‘Unconditional Divine Election’? The belief of divine election is that (1) our God’s election is His sovereign act. (2) Our Lord God in prehistory chose some to believe and thus allowed them reach salvation. (3) He chose those that He foreknew and predestined them according to His purpose. (4) Our actions, even our future actions have nothing to do with this.

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Doesn’t God say he wants all men to be saved? (1 Timothy 2:3-4) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (KJV) (2 Peter 3:9) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (KJV) Yes God does. The question is what does that mean. The word ‘will’ can be interpreted several ways. One is that God willed something to happen. God here would be exerting Divine influence; if that were the case, all men would be saved. Looking at another interpretation we see in the New Testament the word ‘will’ (yelw thelo, thel'-o) used here means to desire or wish. As a parent wishes well for their children, God wishes that all men should be saved. It should be noted here that this in no way implies that our God could not save us (all men) if he chose. Certainly, our God has the power. Our God knows (and ordains) only some will reach salvation, and He also said that not all will be saved.

Did God know we would believe and chose (elected) us because of that? A commonly held view is that God’s election is conditional and based on the foreknowledge of God as to who will (and will not) believe. Some people will choose and some will not, those that will believe, God choose (elected). Two verses that seem to support this argument are: (1 Peter 1:2) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. (KJV). (2 Thessalonians 2:13) But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (KJV) God clearly has foreknowledge; however it does not state that the foreknowledge is that we will choose. Rather the foreknowledge is that we will be sanctified through the Spirit. The verse in 2 Thessalonians 2:13 also states that from the beginning God chose you for salvation through sanctification. Cf (Romans 9:11) (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of Him that calleth;) (KJV) Cf (Romans 9:16) So then it is not of Him that willeth, nor of Him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. (KJV) (Ephesians 2:8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (KJV) Our actions’, including the act of faith or future faith is not part of the discussion. “The bible never speaks of salvation because of faith. This would require the Greek construction “dia pistin” (on account of faith) which does not occur. Faith is the means of salvation, but never the basis”1. To infer that God choose us because He had foreknowledge that we would believe is to say God choose us because of our future actions. However God chose us before we were born v Romans 9:11, so our actions including faith did not play a role. Paul goes on to say v Romans 9:16, we are not Divine Election - KN - 051022a.doc

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chosen because of works or even our will, but solely of our God’s mercy. Finally Ephesians states that we are saved not of ourselves, but rather it is a gift from God. cf Romans 6:23, Galatians 4:9. The foreknowledge of God does not depend on us, but rather we depend upon Him. God did not choose us because we would believe.

Doesn’t the bible say those that believe will be saved? Another common interpretation is that anyone who believes will reach salvation. This seems to imply that salvation is open to all. All one needs to do is believe. Verses that seem to support this idea are: (Matthew 23:37) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, […], how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (KJV). (John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV). (Romans 10:13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (KJV). (1 John 2:2) And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (KJV) Mat 23:37 was spoken during Passion Week in Jerusalem, cf. Luke 13:34-35 which may have been spoken in Perea. It is likely, if this is true, that He was not speaking to Jerusalem directly. This may have been more of a story or parable. Regarding John 3:16 cf. John 3:18 “He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but He that believeth not is condemned already” (KJV). Two verses after v. 16 the text states that the nonbelievers have already been condemned (krinw krino, kree'-no: to judge). The question has to be asked; if there is a chance they will come to believe, why have they already been judged? Romans 10:13 clearly says to call upon the Lord and be saved. Again, this verse is often used, as proof that all who calls will believe. However the next verse cf Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? (KJV). The ones that are not lead to believe will not call upon the Lord. 1 John 2:2 has been interpreted more than one way. A common interpretation of Arminianism is, as above, the invitation is open to all, the whole world, stating this is for everyone (inclusive). Another interpretation is that this is not just for us (the apostles) it is peri olou tou kosmou, ‘for the whole world’. This would mean that the message is not just for the Jews, but Gentiles and other nations. None of these cases excludes Election. Arminianism states that the believer will come to Him. Calvinism states the elect will believe and come to Him (cf Acts 13:48). Unconditional Election also states that only the elect will believe (v. Romans 10:14). Those that believe are saved.

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Does God as sovereign decide who will believe? In our assumptions, we have already stated that we believe and accept that our God is our Sovereign Lord. As such, we have to accept that He has the right to do has He wills. Here we can see an example of God’s sovereignty over us. (Romans 9:17-18) For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy, and whom He will He hardeneth. (KJV) (Romans 9:21-23) Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew His wrath, and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore prepared unto glory, (KJV) Here you see that God is rich in mercy. (Ephesians 2:4) But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, (KJV) (Exodus 33:19) And He said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. (KJV) God decides to whom He will show mercy. He also decides whose heart to harden. God not only has the right but also does so for His reasons, that His power ‘might be declared throughout all the earth’. Romans 9:21 makes the comparison of a potter having power over his own clay. The potter as our Lord makes us as He see fit according to His purposes. Paul even states previously that God is right and just in this (vRomans 9:14).

Does God preordain who will believe? Yes! God predestines some to believe. This He does on His own without any action from us or because of any action or future action from us. Paul writes here that none will seek God. (John 15:16) Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, (KJV) (Romans 3:11) There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. (KJV) (1 Peter 2:8) And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. (KJV) We saw above that God will harden the hearts of whom he chooses. John 15:16 and Romans 3:11 shows no one understands or seeks God. Paul writes here that none will seek God. Additionally, 1 Peter 2:8 states that the disobedient were destined to stumble. (Matthew 22:14) For many are called, but few are chosen. (KJV). (Acts 13:48) And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. (KJV)

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(Romans 8:30) Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them he also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified. (KJV) All of these point to the idea that man is preordained. Both Matthew and Acts speaks of many hearing the message but only a ‘few are chosen’. It continues to say that ‘as many as were ordained […] believed’. The Elect, believe. God finding nothing in man that deserves mercy shows His mercy according to His will and to whom He chooses. We believe because God elected us and predestined us to believe.

Why does God choose? We may never know in our life on this earth all the reasons why God chooses to do something or not. How God chooses one over another is something ordained to Him and Him alone. (Matthew 11:25-26) At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. (KJV) (Deuteronomy 29:29) The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, (KJV) Vv. 1 Corinthians 2:7 The old saying ‘God moves in mysterious ways’ is clear. God does things according to His will and plan. If we search the scripture though, we may find some of the reasons. (Romans 8:28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (KJV) (Ephesians 1:4-6) According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved. (KJV) (Ephesians 1:11-13) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (KJV) We know these things are done so that ‘we should be holy and without blame’. We also know that this is to ‘praise His glory’. Review Ephesians 1:11ff, our God predestines according to His purpose and will, and that we would be to the praise of His glory. All this is ‘according to the good pleasure of His will’.

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If we are predestined, why should we do anything? We should live good Christian lives because our God tells us to. God’s word teaches us to live good lives. The bible tells us to love our enemies (v. Matt 5:44), let our light shine (v. Matt 5:16) and make disciples of nations (Matt 28:19). The bible does not stop there. It shows and teaches many things concerning several issues regarding our daily lives. Additionally, 1 Corinthians 3 teaches that we will be judged on our actions. Simply being elect is no reason for doing nothing.

Isn’t this harsh? Actually, it is just the opposite. Arminianism often uses the argument that if God elects those that will believe His message is open to all. While that sounds sympathetic, it has the effect of allowing man and his actions to take part, but clearly, we are not saved by our actions. Some teach that since man must come to believe by his choice, then he may also loose salvation. This does not address the weak, the tempted or those that doubt. Calvinism teaches that by God’s election even the weakest may be find salvation. Arminianism depends on a person’s strength; Calvinism depends on God’s strength. Any of us may be elect by Gods good grace and will. Vv. Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:8. Through the Holy Spirit, we can stand strong and persevere.

What about free will? Simply put, we still have free will. We are acting according to our nature. If one does not believe in God then it is not in their nature to follow the word of God. If one does believe, they will follow God. All of us have free will. A believer is exercising free will according to their new (regenerate) nature.

Summary Man cannot find salvation through any action of his own. God knew us. Finding nothing in man that deserves mercy, He chose us for His purposes and glory. He did not choose us because we would believe, rather He chose (elected) us and we were predestined to believe. We do not always understand or know the reasons why God does things. We do know that it is to praise His glory. This is according to His will and only by His grace are we saved. This does not stop us from spreading the word, just the opposite. Additionally, this is not harsh but rather a generous gift from our God. We will act according to our nature and the will of God.

Notes: There are several issues not addressed here or covered in depth. Some of these include: free will; how one comes to believe; the non-elect; the caution of pride or arrogance. Additionally, as I stated previously do not use this as a basis of faith. Rather, if you choose to use this at all, use this as part of further research and study.

Resources include: King James Version of the Holy Bible; New American Standard Version of the Holy Bible; Geneva Bible Notes; Adam Clarke’s Commentary; Albert Barnes’ New Testament Commentary; 1D. Thomas’ Lecture #5A on Divine Election; Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible; Robertson’s New Testament Word Pictures; The Westminster Confession of Faith.

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