31. Election
ELECTION Did God create some to be lost, or does His Word teach that He knew some or certain ones would be lost when He gave them life, or did God give certain ones life knowing that they would be lost? Is it not right for us to inquire into these things?
It is no doubt quite right for us to inquire into these things, but let us be careful to confine our inquiry to the Word of God and let us not wander into inferences which may lead us far astray. There is no doubt that God’s absolute sovereignty is taught, and clearly taught, in the Word of God, and just as clearly is man’s responsibility also taught in the Word. Our difficulty comes when we seek to “harmonize” these two doctrines. Such a task seems to be beyond the power of the human mind. Let us believe all that God has said on the subject and be content to wait for further light as to the harmony between these tilings. We may depend upon it that “the Judge of all the earth” will “do right.” Let us preach to men as if everything depended upon them, and then let us pray to God for them as if everything depended upon God.
If you have the space I would appreciate an explanation of the difference between “election” and “foreknowledge.” The meaning of election is “choice.” And foreknowledge is simply “to know beforehand.” The relation between these two doctrines is clearly stated by Dr. Scofield in his Reference Bible: ‘The divine order is foreknowledge, election, predestination. That foreknowledge determines the election or choice is clear from 1 Peter 1:2, and predestination is the bringing to pass of the election. Election looks back to foreknowledge; predestination forward to the destiny.” But Scripture nowhere declares what it is in the divine foreknowledge which determines the divine election and predestination. The foreknown are elected, and the elect are predestinated, and this election is certain to every believer by the mere fact that he believes (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5). Will you please give me light onRomans 8:15-18? I cannot connect this Scripture with1 Peter 3:9. The relation between God’s sovereignty and elective purpose on the one hand and free grace and human responsibility on the other has perplexed the commentators throughout the ages. The best course is to believe all that God says and wait for Him to make it plain. God insists upon His sovereignty and also upon man’s responsibility. Believe both and preach both, leaving the task of “harmonizing” with Him.
Recently the subject of predestination came up in our Sunday school, and later the pastor said from the pulpit that his God was not One who would predestinate people. There are different things that God has done for His people which our minister says He has not done and would not do. What would you think of him?
It is folly, to say nothing worse, to deny that there is such a doctrine in the New Testament. Your pastor’s attention ought to be called to Romans 8:29-30 and Ephesians 1:5; Ephesians 1:11. It would be far more honest for him to say that he does not understand the doctrine than to deny that there is such a doctrine. Predestination is that active exercise of the will of God by which He brings to pass certain results determined beforehand to be done. There is much of mystery about it, but that gives us no reason for denying that such a thing is taught in the Word of God.
We have become involved in a discussion on the subject of predestination, that is, as to whether our lives are mapped out for us from the beginning, or whether we are responsible for what happens in the course of our lives. I shall appreciate any information you may be able to give. The whole question of the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man is one which has perplexed theologians throughout the history of the Church. It is enough to say that while these two doctrines are taught in the Bible we are nowhere taught how to find the harmony between them. Perhaps it is too great for our minds to grasp. At any rate, it is good to remember that faidi does not walk by sight, and can only function in the dark. Faith does not ask to know all about God, but faith believes all that God has said. There is no question as to the fact of God’s elective plan. In 1 Peter 1:2 it is declared that God’s election is according to His foreknowledge, but Scripture nowhere tells us what it is in God’s foreknowledge which determines His divine choice. The connection between His foreknowledge and His electing grace is an unrevealed relation. See Deuteronomy 29:29.