AboutDon Hurray Expertise Presbyterian minister (PCUSA)with 23 years experience.
Have served as military and police chaplain
Well versed in reformed theology belonging to professional groups
Grew up Roman Catholic
Well acquainted with most Christian and Jewish faiths
Experience Parish ministry 24 years
Served as volunteer military and police chaplain, hospice, etc.
Organizations Reformed Group
Ministerial Associations
Publications Monday Morning
Presbyterian Layman
Education/Credentials College in US and Sweden
M.Div plus advanced work
Question QUESTION: Here's an easy one for you.
What scriptures are used to support Unconditional Election?
Also what logical arguments. Does Unconditional Election mean God choice is by random chance only? If he does not consider anything at all about the individual how can he judge justly where that individual is concerned? What else is there except to toss a coin?
ANSWER: Hello Bill,
The word "election" itself is used in Romans 9:11. The other two words - "to foreknow" and "to predestinate" are both used in Romans 8:29:
When the Scriptures speak of election it is evident that this refers to the counsel of God. In Eph. 1 the apostle Paul describes election in these words:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him . . . having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: . . In whom (Christ) also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. (vss. 3, 4, 9.11.)
Ephesians 1 speaks of election. God determines to make His glory known - but through Christ. Paul expresses this in Romans 9:10-13. Paul is speaking of Jacob and Esau -- children of Isaac and Rebecca. He writes:
And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
In Ephesians 1:4ff. the truth of this is set forth.
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will.
These and many more scripture explicitly imply God chooses us. Our choosing Him is a sign of predestination. We are not able to save ourselves, this is done in Christ. God calls those who are saved this way thru election. God's election is not done randomly. He knows everything about us before we are born and chooses according to His goodwill. You must understand the seriousness and completeness of our fall before any kind of salvation is understandable. Then who is saved is done by God knowing and loving us from before we were born. There is no coin just a heart to love whom He will love.
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QUESTION: Thank You I don't find anything I disagree with here but how then do you define "unconditional election". You write "He knows everything about us before we are born and chooses according to his good will". The definition I've seen of unconditional election say god considers nothing about the individual. Do you consider nothing to mean no action, no working of the law no charitable works. I agree if you do. But if it's not to be a coin toss then is it something about the heart? A heart to seek god, a heart to accept Jesus.Is that how you see it?
Answer Hello Bill,
With unconditional election and good works it is sort of the question of which came first, the chicken or the egg. The good within us is our reaction to having the Holy Spirit equipping us for every good work. It is not cause of our salvation but evidence of salvation. It is a reaction to having a heart of stone replaced with a heart of living flesh.
God Bless You
