death and the afterlife - election

Question 1

types of election

Answer 1

Limited election- only a few christians chosen by god before they are born recieve salvation in heaven

unlimited election- everyone CAN be saved but not all will

universalism- everyone can and will be saved

Question 2

arguments for limited election

Answer 2

augustine’s theology- original sin has corrupted human nature thus some are predestined to have and keep faith in christ- these are the ‘elect’

justification- we are so fallen by original sin that we can’t access heaven by our own merits- rather only by gods grace. st paul calls this a ‘gift’ we cannot ‘take credit for’ in ephesians

in romans 8, st paul holds to predestination, that our fate is unalterably fixed.

Question 3

arguments against limited election

Answer 3

pelagius: predestination is inherently unjust: if we have O.S then we are unable to avoid evil, then we are not responsible for what we do.

It’s not ethical for all humanity to be blamed for the actions of Adam and Eve. This suggests an indefensible view of moral responsibility – that people can be responsible for actions committed by others which is of special absurdity in this case since the action occurred before they were even born.

hick argued for the complete omni benevolence of god; this is incompatible with limited election.

john 14:2- “my lords house has many rooms”