Tripping TULIP Part 3: Unconditional Election

Please find Part 2 here.

Here’s what GraceNET has to say: God has shown us in his Word that from eternity past he has elected some sinners to be saved from the condemnation that is justly deserved by all, purely on account of his gracious mercy and love, not because of any foreseen merits in those sinners. Because of the fact of total depravity, salvation must originate with God, and we read in the Bible that it is God's sovereign will alone that has determined the recipients of that salvation.

This doctrine does not render God unjust, for all are guilty and all deserve to suffer God's judgement. Rather, it emphasises the grace of God by the fact that he has chosen some for salvation.

Scripture references: Psalm 65:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 9:11; Ephesians 1:4,5,9,11; Romans 11:5; Romans 9:15,23; Psalm 103:11; 1 Peter 1:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:9; Jonah 2:9

My initial thoughts on TULIP’s Unconditional Election: Right off the bat the explanation states this doctrine stems from that of Total Depravity. We have already seen Total Depravity is false so we could stop but that wouldn’t be as helpful as continuing may be. It is the false idea that people need to be somewhat good in order to receive Salvation that is at the root of the fallacy in this doctrine. Romans 4 clearly states that God justifies the ungodly, He doesn’t save people who were good enough to seek after Him, ask for Salvation or see Him.

Scripture does say that some are Elected to Salvation, but in most cases Election has to do with a purpose God has for a person in the world. This person can be either saved or not. The Scriptures record Jesus talking about those He has been given by the Father. I think each of these instances specifically deal with the Disciples, but Ephesians 4 shows that God the Father gave the people who fill the offices of the Church. I believe that God does elect some to Salvation, those are the people of particular importance for God’s plan for History to be carried out. This would be a very challenging thing to prove, but it does reconcile the obvious strains between the instances of Election and that of the open call and promises of God. This explanation satisfies my curiosity on the subject because we are just not given enough information to know, and because we are given the truth that some are elected to Salvation and others just receive it.

The primary issue I have with Unconditional Election is that it teaches that Salvation is exclusive to the Elect, something that Scripture never says. This exclusivity is due to the idea that one must be good enough to ask for Salvation, and since everyone is Totally Depraved, only those who God has Elected will ask for Salvation.

Let’s check the Scripture references GraceNET uses:

Psalm 65:4

When read in isolation this looks to be an example of Election to Salvation. However it is actually about Messiah. Isaiah 42:1 shows us Who this is about. The second half of verse is about Israel. We get a clue from reading Psalm 65:3 when David writes that God will forgive “our” transgressions. This does not indicate that only selected people are exclusively elected to Eternal Salvation.

2 Thessalonians 2:13

This is a particularly interesting passage. It is possible that Paul is writing that these have been chosen for Eternal Salvation from “the beginning.” But there are some things about the passage that lead me to think otherwise. Paul says they have been chosen for “Salvation through sanctification by the Spirit” this does not match Paul’s description of Eternal Salvation as being by Grace through Faith. But that’s not all that is of interest. Verse 13 starts with the word “But” (or “and” in some translations). This is a continuation of Paul’s teaching, not the teaching. What is Paul talking about, the fact that those who did not believe the Truth are going to be given a strong delusion. Then Paul thanks God that these Brethren are saved. Saved from what? The description does not match that of Eternal Salvation. These Brethren have been saved from the strong delusion through Sanctification and belief in the Truth.

Paul seals the deal by finishing with “Therefore Brethren, stand fast…” in verse 15.

It is of particular importance to know what is being taught before it is applied. If we decide what we’re reading before we let Scripture tell us we will always find man centered Theology. This verse does not indicate that selected people are exclusively elected to Eternal Salvation.

Romans 9:11

This recounting of Jacob and Esau is the classic example used to prove Unconditional Election. However, it doesn’t apply to Eternal Salvation at all. Jacob wasn’t elected to salvation and Esau to reprobation. No what was elected is written in Romans 9:12. The older will serve the younger. This verse does not indicate that selected people are exclusively elected to Eternal Salvation.

Ephesians 1:4, 5,9,11

I’m not sure why the author of the article felt he couldn’t just reference Eph 1, but instead choose to select particular verses. This is a very strong “election” passage. Both the election and foreordination are about what the people Paul calls “we” are “in Christ.” Not that the “we” would “be in Christ” but what we would be, “in Christ” or “through” Christ. He foreordained the adoption, not us. Paul is giving praise for what has been done for us, not instructing that we in particular have had this done for us. There is nothing exclusive or particular about the language other than the fact that it has been done for the group identified as “we.” What I’m trying to say is that nothing in this language excludes anyone who is not part of the “we.”

In verse 13 the language changes to “you” as Paul starts to show these believers what God has done for them. Paul is instructing them in faith, giving them confidence. Paul shows what God has predestined his group to be in Christ, and then likewise what these believers can expect. He is building their confidence with his experience. It is of note that the “you” is never said to have been chosen before the foundations of the World.

If the verses are taken in isolation they appear to give support to Unconditional Election, however when the whole chapter is read it is clear this is not what Paul wrote about.

Romans 11:5

This is a remnant of Israel. These are Jews who have not been blinded as per the next few verses. They are not “elected to Eternal Salvation” they are elected to not be blinded. Their Salvation still requires them to believe the Gospel. In fact Paul is ministering to THESE very Jews. He calls them “you Gentiles” or you particular people without God. They have not been blinded, they can see but they are still without God. Paul is doing everything he can to reach these very Jews. Romans 11:13-14

This verse does not show exclusive election to Eternal Salvation and therefore does not support the doctrine.

Romans 9:15, 23

Paul tells how the preparations were made in Christ in various other places such as Eph 1 as we have discussed above. Scripture denies the doctrine that these verses are being cited as support for in Romans 9:30-33

Rom 9:30-33

What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith; but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness. Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. As it is written: "BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STUMBLING STONE AND ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND WHOEVER BELIEVES ON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME."

God did not choose people for destruction, He laid a stumbling block and those who did not seek righteousness by Faith stumbled on it.

Psalm 103:11

I cannot begin to see how the author might think this verse lends support to the doctrine of Unconditional Election. God gives mercy to those who fear Him. This does not say that God chooses who will be saved and who will not, and therefore does not support the doctrine.

1 Peter 1:2-3

This election is to their purpose – being obedient pilgrims of the dispersion, they were spreading the Gospel as per Christ’s command (however only after affliction). How is this election carried out, through Sanctification by the Spirit and the “sprinkling of the blood of Christ” which is a ceremonial term used in sanctification. This is not about Eternal Salvation and so has no support for the doctrine of Unconditional Election.

1 Thessalonians 5:9

This is about the Tribulation, the Thessalonians were fearful that the Great and Terrible Day of the LORD was appon them. Paul reminds them that they have nothing to fear, but that the return of Christ is our “blessed hope” because we have not been appointed to Wrath but to Salvation. This is not about election to Eternal Salvation, but that believers will never come under God’s wrath. This lends no support to the doctrine of Unconditional Election.

Jonah 2:9

Jonah starts out his prayer talking about how he’ll change his ways… but God gives him salvation from his predicament (being trapped in the belly of the fish) when he humbles himself. He says “Salvation is of the Lord.” He’s asking for help and he comes to the point of only relying on God’s Grace, then God saves him. He’s not saying that God chooses who gets Eternally Saved or not, he’s admitting that God alone saves and does it because of Who He is, not who we promise to be. This does not support the doctrine of Unconditional Election.

My closing thoughts on TULIP’s Unconditional Election: This is probably the doctrine I come closest to believing in TULIP. I believe that God has elected some to be Eternally Saved. Many are called, few are chosen sort of thing. However, I cannot let my thoughts decide what Scripture says. Scripture must always define what I think. Theology that is an inch deep and a mile wide comes from the presupposition that Salvation, Justification and Repentance are always about Eternal Salvation.

Theology that is as deep and as narrow as the Truth comes only from seeking meaning from context and usage.

Please find Part 4 here.