Election
by Kenneth Frazier
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 18 No. 1, 31 March 1992
John Calvin is well known for his views on election and predestination. Qualben’s "A History of the Christian Church" gives this evaluation of Calvin’s belief.
"As a logical tonsequence, Calvin asserted that God had from eternity foreordained all things that should come to pass. Absolute predestination was the divine program of human history, involving a decree of the election of certain people unto salvation, and a decree of reprobation for others unto eternal damnation. This was the way Calvin understood the teaching of the bible. He admitted that it was a ’horrible' decree but ’the will of God is the highest rule of justice; so that what he wills must be considered just; for this very reason, because he wills it.’ The elect were made willing to be saved by God’s grace, which was irresistible. They were regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and once saved, always saved. The saved ones could not finally fall away from a state of grace.
"The doctrine of predestination influenced Calvin’s doctrine of the sacraments. Accepting the two sacraments which the Lord had directly instituted, he taught that these produced their intended effect only in the elect. To the non-elect, the sacraments were empty and meaningless. All the elect received the forgiveness of sins in baptism, but since salvation depended on sovereign election alone, the sovereign will of God might work regeneration without baptism. Hence, water baptism was not strictly necessary, and elect children who died without baptism were sure of salvation." (p. 269)
These views of Calvin furnished the basis for what the Presbyterian Constitution refers to as "Of the Perseverance of the Saints." It is stated as follows:
"I. They who God hath accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved." (p. 29)
Of those ordained to eternal life, the Presbyterian Constitution says:
"...hath chosen in Christ, unto everlasting glory, out of his free grace and love alone, without any foresight of faith or good works, or perseverance in either of them, or any other thing in the creature, as conditions, or causes moving him there unto; and all to the praise of his glorious grace" (p. 20).
This means that there’s nothing one can do, either good or bad, that will affect his election to eternal life. The elect may live immoral lives, neglect to worship God, murder, ruin the lives of others, and in other ways disgrace the name of Christ, yet still receive the reward of eternal life.
Is this the teaching of the New Testament? Most emphatically not! Why did Paul say of himself, "But I keep under my body {buffet}, and bring it under subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway" (I Corinthians 9:27)? The word "castaway" signifies one who is rejected and has suffered the loss of future reward.
If man is elected before and without obedience to the gospel, what need have we of the word of God? If election takes place at birth, why must parents bother to bring their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? If election occurs without baptism, why preach it? If election is in no way affected by one’s lifestyle, why so much New Testament teaching on godly living? Paul said the grace of God teaches us "...denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world" (Titus 2:12). Why? What can be changed by godly living or ungodly living? This is just another way of asking, "What difference does it make as to what one believes or practices?" If Calvin’s theories are true, it makes no difference at all.
Will the unfruitful branch of John 15:6 be saved eternally? It was once in the vine, you know, Will the two Christians, Annanias and his wife Saphira, be saved in the end after they lied to God and were struck dead without the opportunity to repent (Acts 5:1-11)? Will those Galatians who returned to keeping the law of Moses and rejected Christ be saved in heaven (Galatians 5:1-4)?
