Calvinism 2: Does God Elect Who Will Be Saved?
Well, this is the day to discuss this critical issue, thoughtfully and Biblically. Just to set the record straight, I am not here to condemn or support Calvinism, that is someone else’s responsibility. In fact, we already a full explanation of what is the TULIP (Calvinism) on this platform. My goal today is to handle the idea of predestination and election: what does the Bible say about that?
A definition: predestination simple means to decide the outcome of something before it even starts. The idea is that God decided before time who will be saved and who will not be saved. It means He sat down with Himself and decided your fate: hell or heaven before you were even born.
On the other hand, election simple means to choose something based on your preference. Let’s say you are presented with four colours: Green, Blue, Yellow and Red and you decide to take only Blue and Red. You have chosen or elected those colours. Therefore, election according to our subject, means God chooses or elects or hand-picks those we want to save, while allowing the rest to be condemned.
So the outcry is that our Lord’s unconditional love does not allow Him to predestine or to elect people to be saved; that is being unfair and cruel on His part. In fact, critics of this idea are quick to remind us that John 3:16 teaches that God loved the world (everyone) and that according to 1 Timothy 2:5, Jesus wants all men to be saved. Therefore, according to them, predestination/ election is a lie (a satanic doctrine) that was invented by John Calvin.
To those who think that way, I would like to say that I do sympathise and even understand your view point – it really makes sense. I don’t even know what to say about John Calvin because I don’t know much about his life. However, my only problem is when you say the Bible does not teach predestination/election. That is where you lose me because I have been reading my Bible for these many years and I can assure you with a clear conscience that election is a Biblical concept. If you still insist that there is no such thing in Scripture, I would like to challenge you one more time to rethink that: I mean, are you sure that it’s not in Scripture or you are being dishonest with yourself? What if you were asked to teach these verses in your church: how would you be faithful and teach them to God’s people…?
Romans 8:27-29 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. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
Ephesians 1:4-5 Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.
Colossians 3:12 - Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering.
Ephesians 1:11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will.
So next time you hear someone say, "election/predestination is not biblical" you will know without a doubt that you are dealing with someone who does not read his Bible, or does not know what he is talking about or is deliberately being dishonest, which is deceptive. Just in case these verses above are not enough, here is more…
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.
Matthew 24:22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
Revelation 17:8…and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.
2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Therefore, it troubles me that these beautiful verses are ignored by many of my sincere brethren. Somehow, they don’t seem to fit into their overall thought system and tradition, perhaps. I mean, it is okay when we do not fully understand the concept of predestination in light of God’s love. We might as well admit that and it’s understandable. After all, are we not just finite creatures that can only handle so much? What’s bad is when a well-meaning believer outright denies such biblical truths and even influences other innocent Christians to do the same.
The main problem is that many of us approach this topic emotionally. Somehow, we believe the doctrine of God’s love cannot co-exist with the doctrine of election. As if wena you are more loving than the Almighty, hence you know what He must do and not do with His creatures. Here is another good question: so, you believe you have a right to choose any wife that you want among all the women, yet according to you, the Almighty cannot have the same right of choosing who He wants to save? What a contradiction!
Conclusion: My dear brothers, I am aware that sometimes we get on these bandwagons because of what we hear from the internet. However, I beg you, once in a while to study your Bible on your own; honestly and sincerely (start with the whole chapter of Romans 9) and you won’t miss the fact that Predestination and Election is not Calvinism, but it is Biblical truth. It's either you make peace with that, or you go down as a liar yourself: who only believes the Bible when it’s convenient to your emotions. Bible truth is Bible truth. As long as something is in Scripture, even if you ignore it, someone, somewhere will discover it one day and prove you wrong. Is that what you want?
What about freewill? How does it fit into election/predestination? Check out the next article
Sinothi Ncube
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