Shedding some tears about the idea of Predestination (Election and Reprobation)

"The Last Judgment" c 1617 by Peter Paul Rubens.

This post is the second in a series on the question of Predestination (Election and Reprobation).  This series will ultimately be part of a larger collection of posts on "The Doctrine of the Application of Redemption" from Dr. Wayne Grudem's textbook on Systematic Theology.

In my last post I introduced the question:

Is it possible that a loving, saving God actually makes a conscious decision to send some people to hell and to make that decision before they were born?

We need, perhaps, to be reminded as well just what the definition of election is:

"Election is an act of God before creation in which he chooses some people to be saved, not on account of any foreseen merit in them, but only because of his sovereign good pleasure."

I am certain that we could discuss this topic until the cows come home, but what does God tell us in His word on this subject?  What sense would it be for us to discuss this difficult topic without first seeking God's wisdom on the matter? 

So..let's join Dr. Wayne Grudem, in his textbook Systematic Theology,  and find out what the New Testament has to say on the subject of Predestination.
 

Dr. Grudem writes that, "several passages in the New Testament seem to affirm quite clearly the God ordained beforehand those who would be saved."  So...before I was even born, and had the opportunity to exercise a "free will",  God had already determined my eternal destiny? 

I have to admit that this doesn't seem fair.  I know that I have accepted Christ as my Saviour and will be in heaven with Christ.  But what about the person who doesn't accept Christ during his/her life.  Did God create them to live and then go straight to eternal hell?  I don't like that thought!

As I dig into this topic, I think it is important to remind myself, and my readers, that my/your opinion and my/your understanding have no relevance.  Right?  We are not God and we in our finite minds are not going to understand all the infinite things of God.  Some things must go under the heading of mystery.  Some things we are just not going to understand and to assume that we can understand all the things of God is vanity and an affront to the Sovereignty of God.

With that understanding, and those questions, let us dig into God's word:

• Paul and Barnabas were preaching in Antioch, to the Gentiles, and Luke tells us in Acts 13:48, "And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of God; and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed."  Dr. Grudem states, "It is significant that Luke mentions the fact of election almost in passing.  It is as if this were the normal occurrence when the gospel was preached.  How many believed?  "As many as were ordained to eternal life believed."
• Romans 8:28-30:
  • "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren.  And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified."
• Paul is talking about Jacob and Esau in Romans 9:11-13:
  • Though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad, in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of his call, she was told, "The elder will serve the younger."  As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
• Paul again speaking how some in Israel were saved and some were not in Romans 11:7:
  • Israel failed to obtain what it sought.  The elect obtained it, but the rest were hardened..."
• Ephesians 1:4-6:
  • "He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.  He destined us in love to be his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace."
• 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5:
  • "For we know, brethren beloved by God, that he has chosen you; for our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction."
• 2 Thessalonians 2:13:
  • "We are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth."
• 2 Timothy 1:9:
  • "who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not in virtue of our works but in virtue of his own purpose and the grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus ages ago"
    • Here Dr. Grudem points out that this isn't anything that we did.  It was not our free will or our works.  From eternity past God called us, for His own purpose.
• Peter writing to hundreds of Christians in many churches all over Asia Minor in 1 Peter 1:1:
  • "...to God's elect..."
• Later in 1 Peter 2:9:
  • "...but you are a chosen race..."
• Revelation 13:7-8:
  • "And authority was given it over every tribe and people and tongue and nation, and all who dwell on the earth will worship it, every one whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb that was slain"
• Revelation 17:8:
  • "The dweller on earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, will marvel to behold the beast, because it was and is not and is to come"

Well....well....that seems pretty clear.  I need to chew on this.  I need to pray on this.  So my grandfather, who refused to accept Christ, even on his deathbed was created and predestined to eternal separation from God?  I know, I know..I don't know what was in his heart...really...when he died.  But his lips were sure defiant against God. 

I remember being deeply saddened by his decision. I remember my grandmother for years praying for his soul.  But the whole thing takes on another element if God chose not to "elect" my grandfather...right?  God created my grandfather and from eternity past destined him to hell???  I must confess...I got the big ole' tears right now streaming down my face.  I loved my grandfather.  How can this be??????

I suppose it would be easy to toss out these verses.  Some, I am sure,  would argue the interpretation.  Some, in their own understanding, may even walk away from God on this one.

That is certainly not going to be the case for me.  I have 51 years of belief.  I am not going to let the past three hours of study throw a lifetime of belief down the drain.  Not even a consideration.  But...I still have lots of questions, I still need to be still on these words, I still need to seek my Father's face and I still have much more study before I come to any firm conclusions on the matter.

The other thought that comes to mind is that if this is true, how lucky and thankful should I be that God chose me to be one of His elect?  The first thought, however, is to painful to overcome the second at the moment.

Let's draw this post to a close and continue on in another day.

Thanks for reading. 

Comments

[Laurie]

I think Wayne Grudem will do a fine job walking you through all of this. Hang in there.

There is one thing that may be of help to you as you sort through all of this. Every Christian, Reformed or not, once begun thinking on this has to deal with the same uncomfortable fact: that God (Who knows the end from the beginning) created the world knowing full well mankind would rebel against Him and that hosts of guilty sinners, deserving of hell, would refuse to repent. Yet He created.

After facing that difficult truth, the issue really just comes down to the basis for election -God's choice, or man's. God would be just in damning us all, but by His grace He doesn't.

This is very helpful for me to remember since I'm the mother of unbelieving teens. I know that God will never be unjust, even if, may He forbid, one or both of them die in their sins. They are deserving of hell, just as I am. But He showed me mercy, granting me repentance and faith in Christ. And it is my daily prayer and great hope that He might show them that same mercy.

[David Porter]

Laurie,

Thanks for the note of encouragement. Currently I just can't imagine thinking that ones children might be in the camp of the "non-elect". The thought that God grants a couple the beautiful gift of children and then to contemplate the idea that God also predestined them to hell?

It is painful enough to consider that perhaps ones children might reject God of their own free choice but to be born into a life where, with the concept of election, you are just going to wind up in eternal hell, well....it just doesn't sound right.

Within the framework of election, why would someone even pray for the unsaved, or for that matter go to the ends of the earth to preach the gospel message. With election the end is already determined...right?

Please understand that I will see this to then end. I don't go into this presuming that I will agree with the Reformed position. I do, however, go into this longingly seeking God's wisdom and love realizing that, in the end, I may not understand His word and must therefore call this mystery and simply believe, trust and obey.

[Laurie]

These things are difficult. It is good though that you are willing to see them through. No doubt God will bless you with the wisdom you need and are looking to Him for, since He has given you such a strong desire to have it. Continued blessings.