Modern March | a Christian blog
Modern March | a Christian blog |
| Posted: 01 Feb 2010 04:00 AM PST Romans 9 is probably the most debated chapter of the Bible concerning salvation, along with Ephesians 1. This passage of Scripture typically leads to two trains of thought:
Romans 9 sent me from a somewhat confused Arminian to entertaining strongly the Calvinist view of election. No matter how I tried, I could never make sense of Romans 9 outside of the Calvinist view of unconditional election. I feel strongly that you have to work very hard to make it sound like something else instead of reading the Scripture for what it says. The only possible way, I think, to understand the sovereignty and power of God is if you embrace the unconditional election that I interpret from this chapter. The entire chapter and the ones preceding it clearly point to grace-based election that is solely in the hands and will of God Himself. Isaac and Ishmael Paul is telling Israel that they were never elected as an ethnic group, and this is proven because of their disobedience. Had they been chosen simply because they were Israelites, none of them would have disobeyed God at all. Furthermore, Paul's mention of Isaac makes it clear that, although Abraham's seed was meant to extend to his offspring, only one of his sons' offspring – Isaac's – were actually blessed. So, not all of Abraham's offspring were chosen, only a select group. God chose only some, and not all, of Israel to be elect. Many Jewish people in the first century believed that observance of the Torah saved them, and Paul clearly rejects this idea. Paul also mentions Jacob and Esau who, before they were born, were loved and hated by God. Paul clearly says this to make a particular argument against the Jewish belief of Law-observing salvation and to affirm the grace of God’s election. Jacob and Esau were chosen before they were born and, therefore, God's grace cannot be based on good deeds or observance of the Torah. Justification and election, as described in Romans 8, are based solely on the grace of God and are not distinguished by ethnicity or any other human indicator. Paul was not being anti-Semitic or trying to take a shot at the election of Israel. He simply wants the Gentiles to know that they do not need to be Law-observers to be saved. Paul was clearly arguing against the idea that God's Word had somehow failed because of the unbelief of some Jews. Paul believes that the Jewish understanding of election is totally wrong, because God only works through His offering of grace to whom He wants to save. The Void Word of God? Isaiah 55:11 is very clear:
The word of God does not return void and He accomplishes His purpose with every breath. If indeed – according to Arminians - we have any control over salvation, then every time someone rejects His offer, God's word and purpose returns void. As Paul and Isaiah argue, this cannot be the case. If God wants a man to be saved, He will save them. Anything else is in direct conflict with Isaiah's words. Though there are certain passages in Scripture stating that God wants all men to be saved, it clearly cannot be so unless God is speaking of all the elect or unless He has a superseding will that causes Him not to actually save all men. On either side of the theological debate, one must accept that God does not want all men to be saved. Again, if the Arminian point is right, then God’s word returns void every time He sends out an offer of salvation that is rejected. A Bigger (and Better) Plan of Love I believe that God loves all men, as He shows grace even to the unrighteous, but that He obviously loves in different ways. Just as a parent hates to spank their child even though they need it; they have to in order to achieve their desired outcome. Without God using sinful men to kill His Son, there would be no salvation for anyone. Acts clearly states that God's purpose was for Pilate and Judas to do what they did in order for His purpose to be fulfilled. The only conclusion is, then, that God's plan can only be achieved if He does not reveal His glory to all men. There must be vessels of destruction for His children to see His glory and for them to be glorified as well. Though unpopular, I cannot see the Bible any other way than this. We cannot do anything to earn or keep our salvation; it is up to God to act according to the pleasure of His will (Ephesians 1:5). Filed under: Series, Theology            |
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