Calvinism: Unconditional Election
Unconditional election builds upon the false foundation of Total Hereditary Depravity.
As a result of the erroneous belief that humanity is born in a sinful state, the Calvinist claims there is absolutely nothing a sinner can do for their Salvation. Salvation is only the work of God and man has no part at all.
The false doctrine of Unconditional Election states that before God created the world, he chose to save some individuals according to his purposes and apart from any conditions placed on the sinner.
In other words, from the foundation of the world God has chosen some individuals to be saved and others to be lost, without regard to obedience to the gospel message (unconditional).
here we see a common misunderstanding being perpetrated in the last aspect of this argument .. in these words "without obedience to the gospel message" .. this is a common objection and is a blatantly false assumption
what we need to do is differentiate between terms a."unconditional" and b. "election"
firstly believers are drawn to the son by the father with no conditions on his or her part as in work of the law or righteousness
secondly, the election is being fulfilled real time by the word and spirit ... so when we preach it is with desire God will use the activity to draw his own to Christ
and on this is true that the point of salvation is totally in Gods control as john 6 .37 and Hebrews 7 .25 makes this clear
salvation is a sure thing as Jesus' is sure about his mission that he will give his life for those who are given by the father
the writer then continues to make the following 4 points to which we now turn
1. God has given mankind the freedom of choice to obey or disobey Him – Genesis 2:16-17; Deuteronomy 11:26-28
in general we must see the conclusions that have been reach are flat out unbiblical in nature consider the following "salvation is not dependant on God alone" this reveal mode of thought in this it is synergistic trough and through
the first point is self refuting as when you consider the contexts .. gene .2 shows us that there was freedom but there is also a restriction put in place .. and when crossed is rebellion, not a simple choice
and as for deut 11 .26-38 .. this just as bad a choice to utilise .. it was given Jews who were under Gods protection and care ...why would they seek God when they are Gods people .. and this is not something applies to non Jews
2. God is impartial, and is no respecter of persons – Acts 10:34-35; Romans 2:11
this is a difficult one as it is clearly based upon scriptures that don't reveal to us what Gods purpose in salvation actually is and was ..... yes it is to save us from sin but the scriptures are not revealing everything we need to make an informed decision on the matters at hand
it can easily be seen that "God is impartial" in that none truly are saved but are only made savable ... meaning there is no real act on God part in salvation, and man has to work for it himself with no true assurance
and this is in fact the theology of arminians
we see the great arm of tradition and misdirection playing its part in the application of the second quote ... to try and convince himself and others the writer has to wrench the verses from its context to try and provide what can only be described as universalism
in which we see God must save everyone or he is not a loving God or some crazy ideal ... the only problem is Romans 2 :11 refutes such an idea
in context
There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 11 For there is no partiality with God. 12 For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; 13 for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, 15 in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, 16 on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.
what do we learn from this section .. two points ...
A) in Gods sight every man alive is fallen creature . that is "all men" Jew and gentile ... every one of us are deserving of our just judgement and not a single one deserves God righteousness and declaration of grace and mercy
B) God shows "no favouritism to those who breaks his holy laws
3. God desires that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth – 1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9
what is important to understand here is neither text cited in full context does not address the issue of salvation 1 is praying for security in times of persecution and the other is bout the elect being gather to Christ before the 2nd coming
though i don't tend to go into detail on the passages in question i will point to other article of mine where do go into great understanding
here is one example of our position on 2 peter 3 as found in "a refutation of an article against Calvinism"
it is important to see this kind of thing is the very thing cults do avoiding contextual considerations on verse for their own idealistic views.. this is seen in the above point
as for the other scripture quoted there is a very simple method of understanding this ... it is called context "all men" in this passage has a contextually meaning of people who have authority
First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
here we see that the passage is clear n its meaning that all men refers to "for kings and all who are in authority" this is the only people who are in view as identified persons .. this is specific in its understanding .... i believe that the second all men has a different purpose to the first .. this refer to the Christians alone who are the elect ... not every person, but the ones given ... it is asking for the opportunity for them to live lives reflecting holiness in that the other all men may come to under the "truth of the faith under persecution"
4. Man's salvation is not dependent on God alone. God has provided the means for salvation, grace, through His Son's sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world. However man must meet the conditions to be saved by that grace through faith – Ephesians 2:4-10; Matthew 7:21
this objection can be dismissed based on the contexts of the 2 cited passages
A) the context of Ephesians 10
And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
this section reveals to us that man is incapable to save himself, and is unable to anything that would make him a co worker in his salvation .. mean he co operates in the act of redemption and salvation wit God
but note these words "But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ" it does not say "but God and man working for mans salvation this is all Gods work
B) the context of Matthew 7
Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. 22 Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
how comes it so easy to see how this man can be so wrong about ht h believe in light of this scripture but he cannot even begin to fathom the reality that his beliefs contradict the bible on many levels ... and yet this one verse (21) can be wrenched out of its full context
surely Jesus words later n the gospel would give some indication or his statements in john 6 and 10
about him dying for those who the father gives him ... and those alone
even the context speaks volumes about the particularity of his atonement in the words "not many2 meaning not all ... this is is in the context of law related understanding, but this can be seen in john 6, 8 and ten where many believe in him but with a false non salvific faith and belief .... and by the end of john 8 (47) men are identified as not belonging to God .. therefore to be given to Christ you first have to belong to the father
and the Matthew passage also supports this identification in this words "And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."
