AboutChris Larimer Expertise Reformed / Systematic Theology, Biblical Theology, New Testament, Church History, Philosophical Theology, Apologetics, Preaching/Homiletics, Sacraments, and Liturgy are all specialties in which I have some expertise. I've been told I have a "knack" for Practical/Pastoral Theology as well.
Experience I have been a Presbyterian church worker since 1996 and am about to be ordained as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. I served a year long internship in our denomination's Office of Theology and Worship.
Organizations Presbyterian Church (USA)
Publications Call to Worship. ReNEWS. The Presbyterian Outlook (online edition).
Education/Credentials Undergraduate study at King College and East Tennessee State University leading to BA in English, with minors in Sociology and in Humanities (emphasis Classical Studies). Master of Divinity, Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Additional study, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Awards and Honors Patterson Scholar in Greek and Latin, LPTS (2003-2006).
J. K. Patterson Graduate Fellow in Church History, LPTS.
PC(USA) Ordination Exams: Bible Content 98%; Greek Exegesis 5/5; Reformed Theology 5/5.
Question What does "many are called but few are chosen" mean? It sounds like it means that people are saved by works. Thank you.
Answer I apologize for not getting to this earlier. I was out of town.
As for called and chosen, I'm not sure how you arrive at the conclusion that there is a works-salvation theme here. If it is God who is calling and God who is choosing, then the natural question is "On what basis does God choose?"
Paul answers the question in Rom. 9:11 where he describes God's choosing of Jacob: "for though the twins were not yet born, and had not done anything good or bad, in order that God's purpose according to His choice (election) might stand, not because of works, but because of Him who calls."
Similarly, Paul ties the concept of election and calling together. Election and calling follow the principle of grace, not works (Rom. 11:5,6 "In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God's gracious choice. But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace"; 2 Tim. 1:9 "who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Jesus Christ from all eternity").
As you can see, this choosing was done in eternity past (Eph. 1:4 "just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world"). In fact, the choosing (or election) is based on our union with Christ ("in Him"). Christ has an election from eternity past(Isa. 42:1 "Behold, My servant, whom I uphold; My chosen one in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations"; cf. Mt.12:18; Lk.9:35 "And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!'"). That's why Jesus so carefully ties together the calling of the Father with coming to Christ ("And He was saying, 'For this reason I have said to you, that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father.'" John 6:65).
Feel free to follow up with me, and may God richly bless you as you surrender to his free grace!
The calling occurs in time, and it is done ordinarily through the preaching of the Gospel. (2 Thess. 2:14 "And it was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.") We see this kind of general calling in preaching, but response in God's chosen in the book of Acts ("When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed."
Acts 13:48).
