A Survey of Different Approaches
Your explanations are always so wonderful. I really don’t know where I fall, as it is fascinating to me the depth of study.
We don’t have to have it all figured out, there’s not a pop quiz at the heavenly gates and our neighbor probably doesn’t care at all, as long as we are loving!
Dear Drexel King,
May I bring two things to your attention?
In your article on election and predestination, I find that one perspective is missing, namely the biblical one.
In the Bible, election always relates to Israel as a people, to one of the tribes of Israel, to a person of Israel, or to a city of Israel.
It is not about salvation, but election entails a mission, a task.
Examples:
- Israel was chosen to be a light to the world;
- the tribe of Levi was chosen to serve in the sanctuary;
- David was chosen to be king;
- Jerusalem was chosen to be the city of the Great King;
- Paul was chosen to be an apostle to the Gentiles.
Election always has to do with a mission, a service.
But I cannot name anyone in the Bible who was chosen for salvation.
If we keep this in mind, then God's Word comes into its own.
- God our Saviour will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1Tim 2.4
- He is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2Pet 3.9
- He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Ezec 33.11
and so on.
The gospel offers salvation as a free gift for everyone.
This does complete justice to God's love and man's responsibility.
The second is that you use election and predestination as synonyms.
However, in the Greek text of the New Testament, they are different words with different meanings.
I advise you not to seek advice from people but from God's Word.
As the believers in Berea did; they searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17.11
Warm greetings,
Hans van Buren,
The Netherlands.
Your explanations are always so wonderful. I really don’t know where I fall, as it is fascinating to me the depth of study.
We don’t have to have it all figured out, there’s not a pop quiz at the heavenly gates and our neighbor probably doesn’t care at all, as long as we are loving!
Dear Drexel King,
May I bring two things to your attention?
In your article on election and predestination, I find that one perspective is missing, namely the biblical one.
In the Bible, election always relates to Israel as a people, to one of the tribes of Israel, to a person of Israel, or to a city of Israel.
It is not about salvation, but election entails a mission, a task.
Examples:
- Israel was chosen to be a light to the world;
- the tribe of Levi was chosen to serve in the sanctuary;
- David was chosen to be king;
- Jerusalem was chosen to be the city of the Great King;
- Paul was chosen to be an apostle to the Gentiles.
Election always has to do with a mission, a service.
But I cannot name anyone in the Bible who was chosen for salvation.
If we keep this in mind, then God's Word comes into its own.
- God our Saviour will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1Tim 2.4
- He is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2Pet 3.9
- He has no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Ezec 33.11
and so on.
The gospel offers salvation as a free gift for everyone.
This does complete justice to God's love and man's responsibility.
The second is that you use election and predestination as synonyms.
However, in the Greek text of the New Testament, they are different words with different meanings.
I advise you not to seek advice from people but from God's Word.
As the believers in Berea did; they searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Acts 17.11
Warm greetings,
Hans van Buren,
The Netherlands.