Unconditional Election Flashcards
(Def)
God’s decision to save someone does not ultimately depend on anything in that person
Implication 1
God’s election not based on foreseen faith, repentance, perseverance, or good works.
That would be grounds for boasting
Implication 2
We choose God b/c God first chose us.
I selected b/c I was elected
Implication 3
Even faith and repentance are free gifts of God.
Regeneration precedes conversion, cannot take credit for any part.
Implication 4
God also ultimately determines that some sinners will not be saved.
Divine reprobation and election
Misunderstanding 1
“God chooses capriciously or arbitrarily who gets saved and who doesn’t”
- ‘According to his wisdom.’
Not imply there’s no reason, just that it’s not in us
Misunderstanding 2
“Salvation not conditional on anything, including faith, repentance, or good works.”
- We don’t deny these conditions, just that it depends on God alone
Misunderstanding 3
“God forces people to be saved (or damned) regardless of what they actually want.”
- God saves us through our will, not against our will
Theological Basis
- Sola Gratia
- There can be no ground for boasting on our salvation (1 Cor 1:28-31)
- Even our faith and repentance must be free gifts of God
- Whether we are saved or not must depend ultimately on God
Objection 1
“God does not show partiality (Rom 2:11), he is no respecter of persons.”
- God does not treat everyone equally (Acts 17)
- Context of all ethnic groups
- Arms have same problem, why have not all heard?
Objection 2
“God respects free will, not a divine rapist”
- Works through our will
Objection 3
“If God ultimately decides, evangelism is a waste of time.”
- Foreordains the means and the ends
- Without God’s sovereignty, evangelism would be worthless
- Church history
Objection 4
“Unjust to condemn to hell before ever born.”
- Arms face, God creates them knowing they will reject
- Decree of election treats people as fallen, not neutral
Objection 5
“Jn. 3:16 - God loves the world and wants all to be saved.”
- Cosmos in John refers to “fallen creation,” particularly humanity.
- Arms have same prob, why not all offered the gospel?
Objection 6
“Jn. 3:16 - Anyone who wants eternal life can have it.”
- Yup.
Objection 7
“1 Tim 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9 - God wants everyone to be saved.”
- Passages not referring to election
- “All” = w/o distinction, not w/o exception
- “You” = Christians
- Preceptive, not decretive will
Objection 8
“If election depends on God’s secret will, no basis for assurance of salvation.”
- Arm’s same prob, determine by evidence
- Not secret once comes to pass
- Elect are those who come to a saving faith in Christ
- Series of tests for genuine faith: love for God, others, beliefs, conforming to Christ
UE and Christian Life 1
Exalts sovereignty of God in all things
UE and Christian Life 2
Reassures us that God’s redemptive purposes never fail
UE and Christian Life 3
Reinforces the gospel truth that we are saved by grace from start to finish
UE and Christian Life 4
Reassures us that our salvation ultimately depends on God’s love for us, not our love for God
UE and Christian Life 5
Encourages us to give thanks for God for everything - even our very faith in Christ
UE and Christian Life 6
Keeps us humble
UE and Christian Life 7
Gives us encouragement that our evangelism will bear fruit (Acts 18:9-10)
UE and Christian Life 8
Provides a firm foundation for doctrines of assurance and perseverance
UE and Christian Life 9
Invites reverent awe and worship as we acknowledge the inscrutability of God’s decrees.
