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Resources for this Study
50 Core Truths of the Christian Faith – Gregg R. Allision
Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine – Wayne Grudem
Biblical Doctrine: A Systematic Summary of Bible Truth – John MacArthur & Richard Mayhue
ELECTION
The Order of Salvation (Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology)
Election (Those that will be saved)
The Gospel Call (Proclaiming the Gospel)
Regeneration (Being born again)
Conversion (Repentance and faith)
Justification (Legal standing before God)
Sanctification (Set apart. Initial and progressive holiness)
Perseverance (Enduring as a Christian. Remaining)
Death (Going to be with the Lord)
Glorification (Receiving a resurrection body)
Before we tackle the doctrine of election, we must first determine our view of:
God and His sovereignty.
God is over nothing
God is over some things
God is over everything
Humans and our depravity
Something must happen.
How lost are we?
How does it happen?
ELECTION IS A GREAT MYSTERY AND ALSO CREATES A GREAT CONTROVERSY
Definition – God’s eternal purpose regarding those that will be saved.
election. A biblical word used to speak of God’s choosing of individuals or people to bring about God’s good purposes. In general terms election can refer to God’s choosing of persons for a type of service, while in a more particular sense election refers to God’s choosing of persons to inherit salvation through Jesus Christ. The doctrine of election has been the subject of intense debate, particularly between Calvinist and Arminian theologians, since the Reformation era.Stanley Grenz, David Guretzki, and Cherith Fee Nordling, Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1999), 43–44.
Scenarios I have encountered in ministry:
We deny it. We create an unbiblical view of God. “God would never allow people to go to hell.” “The God I know is a God of love.”
We over emphasize divine predestination and exclude any human responsibility.
God’s Purpose in election (THE PURPOSE…OUR HOLINESS…HIS PRAISE AND GLORY)
Holy and Blameless.
Live to the praise of His glory.
We can only give Him the praise as we consider His GRACE upon us.
We did nothing to deserve our salvation
Unconditional election is God’s free choice before creation, not based on foreseen faith, to which traitors he will grant faith and repentance, pardoning them and adopting them into his everlasting family of joy. John Piper – Five Reasons to Embrace Unconditional Election https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/five-reasons-to-embrace-unconditional-election