Getting Job-ed
The doctrine of Unconditional Election is extremely controversial in Christianity today. However, the true question is, is it biblical? If it is, what are the implications for our lives? The only thing that matters is whether or not we see it in the Bible- not what camp of belief we belong to (Arminianism, Calvinism, etc.). The true issue is believing the Bible and what it teaches, not a belief system. So follow the hyperlinks to the passages in the Bible, it is important for you to see it in Scripture, not dictated by someone. The following is a paper written for Belhaven University in 2023 (with some modifications for the online platform). This is part 1 of 2:
In the history of theology, one of the most controversial doctrines is unconditional election. But is this necessary? If we can genuinely look to Scripture and submit to its authority for what it speaks on the matter, perhaps we can begin to not only submit to this teaching but move to cherishing the doctrine and even praising God for it. The purpose of this address is to define what the doctrine of unconditional election is, speak to the importance of this teaching, discuss what Scripture teaches about this doctrine, examine how this doctrine has shaped my understanding of God, and finally, discuss how this doctrine has shaped my life and ministry.
To begin our address, an effort must be made to make a working definition of what unconditional election means. Unconditional election could be stated as the act of God to freely choose a people to save before the foundation of the world,(1) without any foreseen merit of the person but solely based on His grace and freedom to do so,(2) with all of this to the praise of His glorious grace (Ephesians 1:3-14). This does not mean that there are no conditions to be met.(3) However, the condition is based on God’s grace in choosing a people for Himself.(4) This makes practical sense in regard to the meaning of grace (unmerited favor). Grace is not truly grace if it is not given unconditionally to absolute wretched sinners, as Scripture attests (Ephesians 2:1-9, amongst many others). Also, as Frame discusses, this address is concerned with what is called “eternal election” (the salvation of people) and not “historical election” (calling a people group to be God’s people in a particular time in history, such as the Israelites from Egypt in Exodus).(5)
The doctrine of unconditional election has brought up much controversy in church history. The Pelagian(6) and Semi-Pelagian heresies focused more so on human freedom and autonomy to choose God rather than God’s electing purpose.(7) The Arminianism controversy in the 17th century focused more on God’s foreknowledge of people who would choose or not choose Him and then God elects those individuals to salvation.(8) Pelagianism, Semi-Pelagianism, and Arminianism all appeal to human logic and philosophy to support an argument for grounds for salvation rather than Scriptural exegesis.(9) Rather than using mere logic and human philosophy on how God elects a people for Himself, the attempt of this address will be to provide Scriptural evidence that supports the doctrine of unconditional election which will be discussed later in this address.
Before we discuss the biblical foundation of the doctrine, we must discuss why the doctrine of unconditional election is important. With all of the heresies, controversies, and disagreements, the discussion of the importance is necessary. There are three reasons why I am compelled that the doctrine of unconditional election is important. First, because Scripture teaches such a doctrine throughout its entirety. Second, this doctrine holds the supremacy of God’s freedom and glory as the highest value rather than making much of man’s autonomy as the highest value. And finally, we are saved because of unconditional election regardless of what we think about the topic (Ephesians 1:3-14, 2:1-9). Repentance and conviction are a gift of the Holy Spirit and not deserved (2 Timothy 2:25).(10) This doctrine stirs up comfort for believers (Romans 8:28), encouragement in evangelism (John 10:16), and reason to praise God (Praise noted in Romans 11:33-36, just after Paul’s discourse on God’s electing purposes/plan).(11) Yet nothing matters unless we see it in the final authority on the matter (Scripture). Thus, we will now examine what the bible has to say about this doctrine.
Hang with us for the next part where we’ll look at Scriptural evidence on the topic.
Footnotes
- Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 2nd ed., (Michigan, Zondervan, 2020), 818.
2. John Piper, “I Will Be Gracious To Whom I Will Be Gracious,” accessed July 7, 2023.
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/i-will-be-gracious-to-whom-i-will-be-gracious
3. RC. Sproul, “What is Reformed Theology? with R.C. Sproul: Unconditional Election,”
accessed July 13, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg42ZdLOdyI
4. Sproul, “What is Reformed Theology? with R.C. Sproul: Unconditional Election.”
5. John Frame, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief, (New Jersey, P&R
Publishing Company, 2013), 219-220.
6. Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia, “Encyclopedia Britannica: Pelagianism,”
accessed July 7, 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pelagianism
7. Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia, “Encyclopedia Britannica: semi-Pelagianism,”
accessed July 7, 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/semi-Pelagianism
8. Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia, “Encyclopedia Britannica: Arminianism,”
accessed July 7, 2023. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Arminianism
9. John Piper, “TULIP Session 4: Total Depravity-Unconditional Election,” accessed July 10,
2023, https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/total-depravity-unconditional-election-session-4
10. Third Millenium, “We Believe in The Holy Spirit Lesson Four: In The Believer,” accessed July
10, 2023, https://thirdmill.org/seminary/lesson.asp/vid/242
11. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 820-821.
Bibliography
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia, “Encyclopedia Britannica: Arminianism,”
accessed July 7, 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Arminianism
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia, “Encyclopedia Britannica: Pelagianism,”
accessed July 7, 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Pelagianism
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia, “Encyclopedia Britannica: semi-Pelagianism,”
accessed July 7, 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/semi-Pelagianism
Frame, John, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Christian Belief, (New Jersey, P&R
Publishing Company, 2013).
Grudem, Wayne, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, 2nd ed., (Michigan,
Zondervan, 2020).
Piper, John, “God’s Word Stands: Not All Israel is Israel Part 2,” accessed July 17, 2023,
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/gods-word-stands-part-2
Piper, John, “I Will Be Gracious To Whom I Will Be Gracious,” accessed July 7, 2023.
https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/i-will-be-gracious-to-whom-
i-will-be-gracious
Piper, John, “TULIP Session 4: Total Depravity-Unconditional Election,” accessed July 10,
2023, https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/total-depravity-unconditional-
election-session-4
Sproul, R.C., “What Does it Mean To Be Born Again?” accessed July 17, 2023,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVi3jJMeeyQ&t=1053s
Sproul, R. C., “What is Reformed Theology? with R.C. Sproul: Unconditional Election,”
accessed July 13, 2023, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg42ZdLOdyI
Third Millenium, “We Believe in The Holy Spirit Lesson Four: In The Believer,” accessed July
10, 2023, https://thirdmill.org/seminary/lesson.asp/vid/242
