Unconditional election

[bobhow1037]

as my previous thread reveals, there was a time that i was very curious about the Reformation. Circumstances led me away from that curiosity, recently my curiosity has been piqued again. i have several questions regarding this Theology. the first would be: What is unconditional election. doesn't the Bible teach us having a choice in the matter? i understand that in God's omnipotence He knows who will reject or receive His Gift. But to suggest that there isn't a choice in the matter confuses me... the limited contact i have had with brothers of the Reformed Faith is limited to say the least...i am in the process of researching this issue myself (via the WEB) but this forums insight would be appreciated...

insight please.

Bobhow1037

 

[McWilliams]

Choose from these articles:http://www.monergism.com/directory/..._simple&search_kind=and&phrase=election&B1=Go

The scriptures speak often of the 'elect' of God, those He chose before the foundation of the world to be His own, HIs church, His bride! Ephesians expounds on the how, why, when of God doing this! We are blest by Him when we hunger and thirst after righteousness and seek to know and follow Him in obedience and bear fruits in our life that reflect His work in our life! Such is 'election'! If this occurs in your life, thank Him for His great mercy and grace as it was His choice that caused you to seek Him!

 

[AndOne]

I'll preface my response with I'm no theologian - heck I'm not even a very good Christian - but here is what I understand of unconditional election.

It can be a hard thing to wrap your brain around at first - but if God is omnipotent and truly God then there is nothing that happens in time that he has not already pre-ordained or planned. Nothing occurs that is random or by chance. If you believe that - then you believe in a God that also has limitations. The God of the Bible is God over all and is limited by nothing.

Where unconditional election falls into this - is that God knew before the creation of the world who would be saved and who wouldn't be. This knowledge is not based on the foreknown actions of people however - it is based on His plan and purposes and whom He chose to be saved. This all hinges upon the fact that God is God and he as creator has put everything into motion per His perrogative and His design.

This is not something we should get hung up on as human beings however - it simply is by God's very sovereign nature that he has chosen some to be saved and others not. He is the one who knows - and not us - and I quite frankly think it is something that we should not get hung up on when contemplating salvation. It IS something we should get hung up on when contemplating his soveriegnty however.

The bottom line is that we don't know who is elected and who isn't - and the purpose of this doctrine is not for us to run around trying to figure out who is and isn't. As Christians we are to preach the gospel to all - and I think we should do so with the belief that whoever we preach to we should do so with the hope that they will accept the truth and be saved.

I would be remiss if I didn't drop some verses that support the doctrine of election however. Here are two:

"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." (Eph 1:4-6).

"And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified." (Rom 8:30).

You can read far more about it by more qualified folks than me here:

http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/Doctrines-of-Grace/Unconditional-Election/

 

[xapis]

Hi Bob,
It might help for you to read first what the Westminster Confession of Faith has to say on the matter: http://www.reformed.org/documents/wcf_with_proofs/ch_III.html

The Westminster Standards (the Confession along with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms) act as the "statement of faith" for most conservative Presbyterian denominations. You'll notice Scripture proofs throughout the text.

May God bless you as you continue to explore these important matters.

 

[BBAS 64]

as my previous thread reveals, there was a time that i was very curious about the Reformation. Circumstances led me away from that curiosity, recently my curiosity has been piqued again. i have several questions regarding this Theology. the first would be: What is unconditional election.

Good Day, Bobhow

Unconditional election is to say ythat there is nothing with in a person that would contribute to his election, God dors the election with out a condition that a person is required to fill. God's election is a primary cause that God does and there are not secondary causes that God needs to do it.

doesn't the Bible teach us having a choice in the matter?

Where??

i understand that in God's omnipotence He knows who will reject or receive His Gift. But to suggest that there isn't a choice in the matter confuses me... the limited contact i have had with brothers of the Reformed Faith is limited to say the least...i am in the process of researching this issue myself (via the WEB) but this forums insight would be appreciated...[/qoute]

You presupose that the Gift is extended to all, such presumption fails...

Who said there is not a choice made, the question should be is that "choice" a cause or an effect?

In Him,

Bill



insight please.

Bobhow1037