I doubt you will give a second thought, but for those who might be struggling, I will lead them to a fine resource from a past issue of The Master's Seminary Journal, an article published in the Spring of 2000 by Leslie James Crawford titled "
EPHESIANS 1:3-4 AND THE NATURE OF ELECTION".
I will quote the introduction and conclusion, people wanting the detailed exegetical analysis can click on the link above for the full article.
Ephesians 1:3-4 highlights the very important doctrine of election, but the passage is not without interpretive challenges that relate to that doctrine. An examination of individual words and phrases within the section reflects whether it supports the teaching of corporate or individual election. The two verses are part of a doxology that occupies 1:3-14 and emphasizes God’s activity in benefiting His people. Various words and phrases within the doxology that contribute toward a correct understanding of election are “He chose,” “ He predestined ,” “us,” “in Christ,” “holy,” “blameless,” “with every spiritual blessing,” and “in the heavenly places.” An examination of those leads to the conclusion that God in eternity past selected certain individuals to receive a comprehensive spiritual package that includes justification and adoption. The two verses rule out the position of corporate election and support an individual, unconditional view of election.
The subject of election ha s been a controversial one in the history of the church.1 Two opposing viewpoints have traditionally dominated the debate: unconditional, individual election (norm ally associated with a Calvinistic theology) and conditional individual election (normally associated with an Arminian theology). This scenario is changing and a third view is becoming increasingly popular.
The last four decades have brought an increasing number of books that advocate a corporate view on the subject of election.2 The view first denies individual election to salvation and then teaches that all instances w here individuals are chosen in Scripture are appointments to service. A Christian is only elect by virtue of Christ’s election, not on account of a pre-temporal choice by God out of the mass of fallen humanity. It is at the point of conversion, i.e., a believer’s incorporation into the church, that election could be said to apply to any individual.
Though the topic of election is controversial in theological debate, it is crucial to a theological understanding of salvation. On e cannot divorce an understanding of election from a correct view of God since God is the agent who does the choosing. Likewise, it is impossible to separate an understanding of election from one’s view of man since he is the object being chosen. God and man are defined in part by the definition given to election, which makes this subject of prime importance.
A proper comprehension of election is also critical to evangelism,3 which is a primary task of the church. One’s view of election defines the natures of preaching and conversion, and so again the importance of a correct understanding cannot be overstated. In addition, the issue of eternal security has its roots in the ground of election and the relative parts played by God and man in it. All of these combined demand a true biblical comprehension of the elements of election.
Proponents of the corporate understanding of election use Ephesians 1:3-4 to support their position. The following discussion explores the nature of election in Ephesians 1:3-4 by analyzing the exegetical data of the passage in its context and paying special attention to key terms related to election, so that a clear picture of Paul’s understanding of election may result. A determination of whether either the corporate or the individual position can be sustained biblically will then be possible.
<sniped exegetical content mostly because Hebrew and Greek words will not copy properly from pdf on my current setup>
Summarizing Paul’s Understanding of Election
It is now possible to summarize Paul’s understanding of election as expressed by Ephesians 1:3-4. God, in eternity past, for no other reason than His own design and will, selected certain individuals out of the mass of fallen humanity to be the recipients of a comprehensive spiritual package, which include s their justification and adoption. This is an action totally free on God’s part, without any external influence, which is ultimately purpose d to bring praise to Himself, particularly to His grace.
Election, viewed as foreordination, also guarantees the destiny of the elect, with particular reference to adoption. Every elect person is adopted into God’s family with full filial position and privileges. The historical realization of eternal election is the mystical union of the elect with Christ and only in this relationship do the elect receive the accompanying spiritual blessing s also contained in their election.
There are no preconditions to election, such as a person’s foreseen faith or meritorious life. In fact, the goal of election is to provide the necessary spiritual condition for a sinner to have acceptance with God. Paul refers to the elect as those who have already benefited from their election, but God views their condition prior to all that His activity will produce. The objects of election are unbelievers, who will become believers on account of their election. In all of this, God is supreme, sovereign, and Savior.
IF a person only takes time to read the article in it's entirety, it might do some good. We'll see...
I'm still pouring over this article, it has rare exegetical notes, that seem strangely familiar. God proclaims his name as he passes before Moses on Sinai, 'I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy', of course salvation is the sovereign choice of God. This could lead to some anxiety regarding who God will chose, could he chose one such as I, I wonder. Then comes the good news, accept the message delivered to you through prophets and apostles and you will be selected, chosen in the beloved, removing all doubt. Not that you have to believe anything beyond your understanding, just Christ and him crucified and believe the one who makes the promise is faithful.
I'll go over the article when I get some time, there is a lot there to unpack. I liked this quote, forgive me a little exegetical digression but you did pick a scholarly article:
Here proorisas occurs as a participle qualifying the main verb. exelexato, previously stated in verse four, and specifies the actions of God in eternity whereby He has fixed in advance the destiny of certain people. The Greek term υἱοθεσία translated “adoption as sons”, describes that destiny as God’s taking the elect into his family. By this act, the elect receive the family name and inheritance, as if they were natural sons. (Ephesians 1:3-4 and the Nature of Election. Leslie Crawford)
Adopted as sons, that had great meaning in the first century. Bought as a slave a really good worker could be adopted as a son, with full rights as a natural son and full rights to inheritance. I'm reminded of this passage:
What I am saying is that as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. (Galatians 5:1-5)
What is peculiar here is that he talks about our status before conversion as an underage heir, I mean we are still under the 'elemental spiritual forces' right? I'm from a Baptist, kind of a fundamentalist/evangelical background so the idea of a time of decision is a familiar one. What Calvinism introduces, in fact insists on, was that even prior to the time of decision when you pray the sinners prayer and follow the Roman's road to salvation, God had already chosen you. That's one of those brain busters, so he already knew what my choice would be. We know he chose some of the prophets from the womb, I do mean before they were born, John the Baptist for instance and there were others. Ok, so God knows the thoughts and inclinations of the heart, even in the womb, not too devastating. Then Paul says, from before the foundation of the world, but what could this possibly mean? Did he write my name down in a book and then later inform me of my predestination?
That's a little hard to fathom, but Paul isn't really beating around the bush here. He says God knew me before the world was founded, not a lot of wiggle room here. Here is what I finally decided and I'm still working on it, the new nature is really the communicable attributes of God. Everything that is the righteousness of God in Christ was predestined and you have only to receive it by faith. That's really the good news, you don't have to go on some great quest to the mountain top or the depths of the sea:
Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the deep? (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:5-9)
I have a hard time with the predestination thing but I realize Paul is speaking from a cultural context that exalts the sovereign will of God, it's forgivable if there is a little hyperbole. But this is from the book of Deuteronomy, Moses last series of sermons before the children of Israel enter the promised land. He would stand on a mountain and watch, he had made some mistakes and didn't get to go with them. Before they departed, he had a final message for them, you don't need to ascend into the heavens, you don't need to search the depths of the sea. The word is in your heart and in your mouth, just believe, and witness to what God has done. I can handle that, believe the one who makes the promise is faithful, believe in the Son of God and you will be saved. You will be chosen in the beloved and he will send you the Holy Spirit of promise to be with you forever. As far as the plans and purposes of God from before the foundations of the world, I suppose I will have to wait until I see him face to face and I know even as I'm known. But as a matter of faith, predestination seems pretty comprehensive to me. It didn't surprise God when Adam sinned or when you got saved.
Thanks for the article AW, there is a lot to unpack here, some great exegetical notes that will take some time. But I'll do the best I can to make time, it looks like it is worth more then a cursory reading.
Grace and peace,
Mark