Unconditional Election or Conditional Election
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Yes, that's conditional.
G-d electing someone is based on the framework he laid out. G-d has decided that "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them."
First, election depends on whether G-d even wants to save anyone. (Independent variable)
Second, because of G-d's framework, man must accept G-d's gift of salvation. Note that this second condition can't happen without the first. (Dependent variable)
G-d electing someone is based on the framework he laid out. G-d has decided that "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them."
First, election depends on whether G-d even wants to save anyone. (Independent variable)
Second, because of G-d's framework, man must accept G-d's gift of salvation. Note that this second condition can't happen without the first. (Dependent variable)
Election biblically speaking is always linked to a people. God elects a people not a plan. I could never find in the bible of God electing a plan. Yes God has a plan obviously but his electing is towards a people. Even more God knows these people from before the foundations of the world.
I agree that salvation is conditional but election is not rooted or grounded in my ability to choose or reject him. Election is rooted and grounded in the active purposes of God that he has towards his people.
I agree that salvation is conditional but election is not rooted or grounded in my ability to choose or reject him. Election is rooted and grounded in the active purposes of God that he has towards his people.
Conditional. Jesus said wide is the gate that leads to hell, and most enter through it, and narrow is the way that leads to life, and few FIND it. You find the truth through much study and prayer- which most people are unwilling to do. Not to mention the fact that the Bible, especially the New Testament, is chuck full of "if"s. "If" is a conditional statement, requiring a choice. For example, "IF you remain faithful till the end, you will receive a crown of life."
Even deciding whether election happens is conditional. Election happens on the condition of whether or not G-d decided to practice election. You might not have found any verses that show G-d's plan of salvation (which he most probably elected), but all other Christians in the world have found G-d's plan of salvation. And it's summed up in John 3:16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." G-d doesn't believe in himself. G-d doesn't choose himself. G-d doesn't have faith in himself. The bible teaches that men believe, choose, seek, and have faith in G-d with G-d's grace and providence of course.
Acts 13:22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'
First, election depends on whether G-d even wants to save anyone. (Independent variable)
Second, because of G-d's framework, man must accept G-d's gift of salvation. Note that this second condition can't happen without the first. (Dependent variable)
No of course, you choosing salvation isn't the root as to why your saved. The root of your salvation is what Christ did on the cross. Without Christ there is no possibility of salvation (further evidence of election being conditional... based on the condition that Christ as a sacrifice was offered). However, after that root cause has been planted. You have to accept your salvation. Because... "John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them."
Ability is a word that's far too vague.The bible teaches that salvation is not based on any good works you did, but on the finished work of Christ. You simply have to accept the finished work of Christ to be saved. There is no additional work that you are doing by accepting His finished work. Faith is not a work. Otherwise, the book of James wouldn't teach faith and works as different things. Faith without works is dead faith. If faith was a work then James would never call faith "dead faith" without works because faith would be a work by default.
Even if we allow the word ability. Well, the Calvinist agrees by default that G-d gives man the ability to practice faith. So, even then, it does depend on your G-d given ability (which I also believe, but in a non-Calvinistic perspective) to put your faith in Christ. G-d himself says this too often... you must have faith.
I think the thing that gives G-d all the glory is that he offers it all. He gives you life. He gives you the ability to practice faith. He give you the sacrifice of Christ. Without all that and maybe some other thing I missed... it's impossible be saved. G-d provided it all. He doesn't have to force you to believe in him to have all the glory.
Acts 13:22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'
First, election depends on whether G-d even wants to save anyone. (Independent variable)
Second, because of G-d's framework, man must accept G-d's gift of salvation. Note that this second condition can't happen without the first. (Dependent variable)
No of course, you choosing salvation isn't the root as to why your saved. The root of your salvation is what Christ did on the cross. Without Christ there is no possibility of salvation (further evidence of election being conditional... based on the condition that Christ as a sacrifice was offered). However, after that root cause has been planted. You have to accept your salvation. Because... "John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them."
Ability is a word that's far too vague.The bible teaches that salvation is not based on any good works you did, but on the finished work of Christ. You simply have to accept the finished work of Christ to be saved. There is no additional work that you are doing by accepting His finished work. Faith is not a work. Otherwise, the book of James wouldn't teach faith and works as different things. Faith without works is dead faith. If faith was a work then James would never call faith "dead faith" without works because faith would be a work by default.
Even if we allow the word ability. Well, the Calvinist agrees by default that G-d gives man the ability to practice faith. So, even then, it does depend on your G-d given ability (which I also believe, but in a non-Calvinistic perspective) to put your faith in Christ. G-d himself says this too often... you must have faith.
I think the thing that gives G-d all the glory is that he offers it all. He gives you life. He gives you the ability to practice faith. He give you the sacrifice of Christ. Without all that and maybe some other thing I missed... it's impossible be saved. G-d provided it all. He doesn't have to force you to believe in him to have all the glory.
S
In the New Testament the 'elect' [ἐκλεκτός (eklektos)] are chosen as a recipient of special privilege. That does not mean salvation and it is not conveyed anywhere in the context of the New Testament as such. The special privilege is eternal life which can only be received if we are saved and although not used as an inducement to Salvation is definitely the gift of salvation. What Calvinism uses in the U petal of their TULIP doctrine, is not supported by New Testament scripture at all. we are not elected as a result of God deciding who will be saved and who will not be saved, we are the elected as a result of us being drawn to Jesus and accepting him as our Lord and Savior. Elected is just another word for Christian but misused and taken out of context by Calvin.
Ephesians 4:1 "just as he chose US in him before the foundations of the world". This scripture does show us that God indeed does elects a people and whats fascinating is that he doesnt choose all to be in Christ. Notice God chose us to be in him rather all to be in him.
Romans 8:29-30 "For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." Again here we find an exclusivity to Gods calling and election. The scripture says those whom he foreknew and predestined etc not all. So God elects a people to salvation and this people respond by faith to him.
You will notice that not once do you see free-will inserted or mentioned. It is simply assumed we have free-will because God invites us to come, and yet the bible makes very clear we are dead in sin.
Romans 8:29-30 "For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified." Again here we find an exclusivity to Gods calling and election. The scripture says those whom he foreknew and predestined etc not all. So God elects a people to salvation and this people respond by faith to him.
You will notice that not once do you see free-will inserted or mentioned. It is simply assumed we have free-will because God invites us to come, and yet the bible makes very clear we are dead in sin.
S
Which is based on his foreknowledge and in accordance with his will.
1 Peter 1
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Only Jesus was chosen before the foundation of the world, not anyone else.
1 Peter 1
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.
Only Jesus was chosen before the foundation of the world, not anyone else.
S
[FONT="]3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.[/FONT][FONT="] [/FONT][FONT="]4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.[/FONT]
Just as Romans 8:28-30 teaches.
Just as Romans 8:28-30 teaches.