Answering Statements By Those Who Endorse Election

Answering Statements By Those Who Endorse Election
Mr. Nettleton, in endorsing election, asks me to believe his terminology instead of God's.  This is a little hard to comprehend, since the same author keeps suggesting that we must stand on the Scriptures and let the Bible speak for Itself.  Here is what he says on page 21 (Chosen to Salvation):

"For the purpose of clarity, let us use the term 'foreseen faith'. Since the word 'foreknowledge' is an ambiguous word in the theological realm."

After supplying his own terminology, because to him ''foreknowledge" is an ambiguous word, he takes it upon himself to give us his definition of ''foreknowledge'' on the same page (21).  His statement is:

"The word 'foreknowledge' means fullness of knowledge which indicates intimacy of relationship. 'Foreknowledge' therefore is the knowing of personal relationship rather than the knowing of facts. Study Acts 2:23, Romans 8:29 and Romans 11:2. Be careful before you interpret 'foreknowledge' as mere familiarity with facts."

It is amazing to me that Mr. Nettleton attests that foreknowledge is an unclear word in the theological realm but he, himself, has the true insight to define the word for us. In the Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words by W.E. Vine, "foreknowledge'' is the Greek verb "pro-gnosko.'' ''Pro'' is "before," "gnosko" is "to know" and is used only of divine knowledge. It is, very simply, one of God's attributes--His omniscience. That is, He knows everything that is going to happen before it happens! For one to state that ''foreknowledge'' is the knowing of personal relationship rather than the knowing of facts, is a subtle attempt to extract and emphasize a part of God's omniscience so it can fit a particular doctrine. No, God's omniscience cannot be divided, for He knows the facts concerning what is going to happen in the future--concerning everything.

Since God is dealing with people on His earth, His foreknowledge is not limited to only knowing who will believe in Christ; but, indeed, knowing every fact about every person's life.  The above statement that foreknowledge was pertaining to personal relationship rather than the facts was the author's foundation to his readers as he prepared them for his next step in influencing them towards election to salvation.  The next step being (page 23):

"The fact stands that God planned to save certain individuals, planned the means of faith..." This statement indicates to me that God will even give you the faith to believe with, so that your salvation is attributed to the sovereign election of God and you have no free will of your own. We challenge this philosophy with the Word of God as given in 2 Peter 3:9 :

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."

I am told that I should accept God's election by faith since God did not see fit to tell me why He chose some and rejected others.  I am glad that it is man that asks me to accept this philosophy instead of God, because the God I know is not a God of confusion!  My God has explained:

1. What Christ Did.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16

2. Why He Did It.
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 3. Where I Stand.
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." - Romans 3:23

4. What I Can Do.
"And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (30) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." - Acts 16:30-31

Yes, anyone can be saved.  A man told me once that this man's whole house was saved because they were elected to be saved.  Of course, the Word of God does not say that.  Notice Acts 16:32 :

"And they spoke unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house."

You will notice that they all heard the Word of God.  Romans 10:17 tells us that:

"...Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God."

Now notice Acts 16:34 :

"And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God WITH all his house." No one was elected to be saved, but everyone in that house that heard the Word of God chose to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. I know many families where the " whole house" is saved. Mine is one example. Not all at the same time, but they are now all saved and, for that, I am thankful! I know many, many families where everyone in the family is saved. Because a whole family is saved does not mean they were elected to be saved. It does mean that everyone in the family chose, out of their own their own free will, to put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

Yes, one can easily reconcile the sovereignty of God, the foreknowledge of God and the free will of man.  The sovereignty of God meaning that God is independent of anyone else.  God can do anything He wishes to do EXCEPT contradict Himself, lie, be unfaithful to His Word, etc.  For His veracity is at stake.  The whole character of God would be in jeopardy if God elected some to be saved, and not others, after stating in John 3:16 that:

"For God so loved the WORLD...that WHOSOEVER believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

God does not say one thing and do another, or He would be a liar! In Titus 1:2 we are reminded that, "God cannot lie." In Hebrews 6:18 we find that it "was impossible for God to lie." When comparing the doctrine of election to salvation with the Word of God, we find it is contrary to every aspect of the character of God, the nature of God, the holiness and veracity of God. I choose to anchor my faith in God's Word, "Let God be true but every man a liar" (Romans 3:4).

You see, foreknowledge does not include the element of choosing or electing certain ones to be saved; therefore, it does not impede the free will of man.  God has fulfilled His responsibility as far as paying for the sins of the world.  He will continue to convict with the Holy Spirit, but, ultimately, our destiny lies within our own hands.  The price has been paid.  It is our choice whether we will accept it or reject it.  We are totally responsible for our own destinies as God's will is that none should perish.