Saturday, April 9, 2016

Election Day

Jeff Davis

One of the distinct doctrines of Calvin that separates him from other theologians is the doctrine of eternal election.  As the America is restless with it’s own election many within the church become restless with the thought of God electing those who would be saved. Calvin calls this “God’s mere generosity.” (3:21:1 pg 921) Calvin lays the groundwork that eternal election is a display of God’s grace.  To say that there is something humanity does in the salvation process undermines the grace of God.  Calvin dives head first into the scripture when laying the foundation for the doctrine of Predestination is all about God’s grace and love.  “At the present time, he says, a remnant has been saved according to the election of grace but if it is by grace, it's no more of works; otherwise grace would be more be grace.  But if it is of works, it is no more of grace; otherwise work would not be work. “ Romans 11:5-6. God sought out Abraham and put eternal election into effect from the beginning.  Separating a certain people group to draw close to and the manifest of love and grace which was on display through the nation of Israel.   It was in the fullness of God’s plan that through Jesus the rest of humanity was able to partake into God’s grace and mercy.  All gentiles have been grafted into the vine of Israel.  When it comes to salvation no man would choose God first, God first draws near towards us.  Through the work of the Holy Spirit in someone’s life we are capable of understanding scripture, hearing and perceiving God’s voice in our life and coming to a relationship with Jesus Christ. “Surely the grace of God deserves alone to be proclaimed in our election only if it is freely given. Now it will not be freely given by God, in choosing his own, considers what the works of each shall be. We therefore find Christ’s statement to his disciples, “You did not choose me, but I chose you,” (John 15:16) generally valid among all believers.” (3.21.3 pg 935)

The doctrine of predestination was not “created” by Calvin, but Jesus.  Throughout Jesus ministry.  Jesus indicates that God has given to him those who believe.  And Jesus won’t lose them.  “No one, he says, can come to me unless the Father draws him. Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me.” John 6:44-45. When it comes to evangelism a believer's heart can be strengthened because when we understand the significant role that predestination has to a believers message. Too often Christians are worried about not knowing what to say, or how to approach conversations or what is a right or wrong way to do evangelism.  With the lense of predestination doctrine the “responsibility” isn’t on the believer to save another’s soul.  It is totally in the hands of God through the work of the Holy Spirit in that person’s life.  Also, as the people in our lives rise and fall throughout life and we start asking ourselves questions like, “what could I have done differently, or could I have said something that would have changed that.” We can have confidence that God is still working, through our successes and failures.  Jesus’ blood covers those who are elected.  God will draw the elect with the Holy Spirit through all circumstances.  Which is another comforting fact that no matter what life throws at us, God is able to use it for the very best and if something horrific happens but through that situation God uses those moments to turn a heart then we as believers can take comfort in the work of God through tragedy and triumph.  

In light of scriptures like Roman 9:18, “God has mercy upon whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.” I leave you with the final thoughts of Calvin. “Do you see how Paul attributes both to God’s decision alone? If, then, we cannot determine a reason why he vouchsafes mercy to his own, except that it is so please him, neither shall we have any reason for rejecting others, other than his will.” (3.21.11, page 947) 

How does the doctrine of predestination sit with you?

12 comments:

  1. Thanks for your post Jeff! Predestination is a tough topic. I can handle the thought that God is in control, that He makes the decisions, the calling and the saving. God’s speech in Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” (Job 38:4) very clearly puts us in our place and God in his. I find comfort in the passage, “He chose us before the foundations of the world were laid.” (Eph. 1:4a) The harder pill for me to swallow is God “barring the door of life to those he has given over to damnation.” (Ch 21, Summary of election, p. 931) Ultimately, it comes down to trust for me. I have to trust that God is all good and all loving. He hasn’t published a list of who’s in and who’s out, so I choose to live “as if I’m in” and try not to guess or judge anyone else!

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    2. I love the verse in Job. The message version actually says, "I run this Universe." (Job 41:11) It always makes me smile. How can the creation tell the Creator what is right or wrong, just or unjust?

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  2. Predestination is certainly evident in the teaching of Paul and St. Augustine but is further developed by Calvin. It is Calvin that the develops the idea of Predestination into the deeper double predestination that so many people struggle with. Obviously, the centrality of the sovereignty of God is the overriding principle of the doctrine of Predestination. Luther, too believed in predestination (3.21.1 note 2) but not in the idea of "double predestination" which is the doctrine that really offends modern day readers. So, in responding to your question, I want to respond to double predestination, the idea that some are damned, and it is here that I definitely agree with Laurie that it is not my role to guess who is in or out and not to judge anyone. However, I still wonder about a God that would preordain some of his precious, good creation to destruction. Calvin even admits that this is a "baffling question for many." (3.21.1) I think perhaps even more baffling is that in ordaining some to destruction, God is willfully denying some from his kingdom and that in doing so God is "righteous" and "just toward the reprobate (3.22.3).
    I personally struggle with this, and I think because in emphasizing God's sovereignty, Calvin is underestimating God's grace and love. For the modern day Christian, who emphasizes these aspects of God more, this is really harsh. Clearly, it was harsh for many in Calvin's day as well. In accepting this view of predestination, however, we can come to terms with the presence of evil and perhaps as as Jeff points out, with wondering why we weren't successful in sharing God's love. Still, I think Calvin's explanation of God's work regarding salvation reflects his inability to really know God. There are too many inconsistencies with this doctrine and his broader theology for me think he got all of it right.

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    1. I totally agree with you when it comes to the double predestination and the thought that God would send someone to hell. Good catch, and great points. Thanks so much.

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  3. Predestination is definitely a tough topic to discuss. I really enjoyed your thorough summary of this topic. It was a lot of reading, but I do appreciate the amount of ink that Calvin gives to the subject. Your question brings out a lot of internal thought of eternal things. How does it sit with me? If I look to my experiences in the army, I could tell you that I have seen and experienced evil in the world. Through those same experiences, I have seen God’s good work and the mighty power of grace. Some of the things that I have seen and witnessed, it surely falls into line with the secret plan of God and the Scripture you quoted above, Roman 9:18, “God has mercy upon whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.”. Evil is not easily discussed by a society that has only read about it (warning student’s opinion). Many of the people that I served with only feel comfortable talking about evil and experiences with others who have had similar experiences. I say these things as a witness and not a judge. There are some really hardened people in the world, but I will say they are destined for what God will.

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  4. I couldn't imagine the horrific things you've experienced in people and been around even if not directly. Even in the darkest moments God's light can shine through. The Work of the Holy Spirit is probably more visible in the darkest parts of the world. I know in the darkest moments in my life that is when I can see God's hand the clearest.

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  5. Yes, predestination and eternal election are ideas that are difficult for we Americans to accept. The power of the individual will has long been part of our politics and is deeply imbedded in culture. Nearly every action movie has its main character struggle against the forces of inevitable and almost certain destruction, and by the force of will overcome evil, at least until the next time it "rears its ugly head."

    Calvin makes a good argument for predestination. In the cerebral sense I am convinced, but deep down inside I want there to be free will. But ultimately, honestly, I think for most Christians knowing or not knowing whether there is election or not is a matter of adiaphora. In the breach, when we are a confronted with life, when we are confronted with the choice between good and evil, whether we are elected or not it will at least seem as though that choice is an act of will.

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  6. I don't think predestination excludes free will. God is all knowing, and knew us before we were formed in the womb. He already knows what we are going to choose, even before we choose it. So, I think we can still make the choice. I just think that God knew what I would choose before I did. I don't understand, but I do believe.

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  7. Really love the way in which you have worded and shared this section of Calvin. Thank you.
    Predestination sits fairly well with me, as you have shared, it simply takes the pressure off of us (me). Although, I do find it very difficult to accept and embrace double predestination, I trust the Lord in all of this.

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  9. Jeff, great post on the topic of double predestination. I really like knowing that there's no pressure to save souls. That part is in God's hands, as you said. Would that I took more courage in knowing that is truth! What really stretches my imagination when it comes to double predestination is this idea that God dooms some from the beginning. I certainly hope my name didn't make that list! Can you imagine?! I'm with Christy in that I like to error on the side of grace and love. I suppose when it comes down to it, I don't really have much say in the matter. Great things to ponder. Thank you, Jeff!

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