Is unconditional election biblical?

One human written religious creed, the Philadelphia Confession of Faith, says, "They (Adam and Eve - J.Q.) being the root, and, by God's appointment... the guilt of sin was imputed, and corrupted nature conveyed to all their posterity, descending from them by ordinary generation, being now conceived in sin..."

The Consequences of the Fall
"Then to Adam He said, 'Because you ... have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, "You shall not eat from it..."'" (Genesis 3:17; see context: vss. 14-24). One reads in vain for the idea of original sin in the account of man's fall as related in the Bible. Genesis records many consequences resulting from the first transgression. There is pain in childbirth, the ground is cursed, and physical death (the body returning to dust) is decreed. But nothing at all about children inheriting the guilt of Adam's sin.
"The person who sins will die. The son will not bear the punishment of the father's iniquity; nor will the father bear the punishment for the son's iniquity; the righteousness of the righteous will be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked will be on himself." (Ezekiel 18:20; cf. vss. 19-32)

"Therefore, I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct," (Ezekiel 18:30)


"Everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness. Sin is lawlessness." The Book of 1st John chapter 3 verse 4

The Book of Jeremiah 31
27 Behold, the days come, saith Jehovah, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man, and with the seed of beast. 28 And it shall come to pass that, like as I have watched over them to pluck up and to break down and to overthrow and to destroy and to afflict, so will I watch over them to build and to plant, saith Jehovah. 29 In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge. 30 But every one shall die for his own iniquity: every man that eateth the sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.

Miscellaneous Laws
Deuteronomy 24:16 “Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin.

The Consequences of the Fall
"Then to Adam He said, 'Because you ... have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, "You shall not eat from it..."'" (Genesis 3:17; see context: vss. 14-24). One reads in vain for the idea of original sin in the account of man's fall as related in the Bible. Genesis records many consequences resulting from the first transgression. There is pain in childbirth, the ground is cursed, and physical death (the body returning to dust) is decreed. But nothing at all about children inheriting the guilt of Adam's sin.

Again you failed to read my post. Though if you are Calvinist it is understandable that you would take issues with the posted scriptures that refute TULIP.


Yet you failed to. But you do resort to calling me a name, like others here do when unable to comport themselves well when they disagree with someone. There are scriptures that condemn that behavior. I wonder if you and your fellows are aware.


Jesus' mom.

What name did I call you?

And did you really just say Mary was sinless?

Are you catholic?

Why do you keep talking about John Calvin? I couldn’t care one whit about him.
I care about what Scripture says.

Specifically, "unconditional election" is answering whether a person is elected by God or, in essence, by himself.

The Five Points were meant to address claims of Arminians.

Arminians claim that, yes, God elects, but he elects based on foreknowledge of whether the person will choose to place their faith in Jesus Christ. That would be the "condition". So, in essence, the person elects himself.

Reformed theology teaches that God elects, but it is based on his sovereign grace, and not on foreseen faith. "Foreknowledge" is viewed, in Reformed theology, as "fore-loving". The word "know" in Scripture is used to describe an intimate, loving relationship with a person. Therefore, God has this type of intimate, loving relationship with the individual person since the foundation of the world.

Jeremiah 1:5 would be an example of foreknowing an individual. But it is only one of many, and as I continue to read the Bible, I see all kinds of references in this regard. For instance, in Romans 11, when it says, Jacob I have loved and Esau I have hated, it is talking about this sort of love...redemptive love.

I will give Arminians credit in that they realize that God foreknows and predestines individuals to salvation, but in essence, they are still claiming they choose themselves.

And, yes, I don't think the reprobate (the non-elect) will ever desire salvation so their eternal damnation is inevitable. However, it isn't caused by God in the sense of making it happen. He simply doesn't do anything to stop their destructive lifestyle. He must directly intervene and regenerate the person, giving them a heart of flesh that will respond to him. This heart is what causes faith and repentance.

In free-willer theology, they believe you need to take your heart of flesh, and somehow squeeze faith and repentance out of this stony heart. THEN, God gives you a heart of flesh. That is how they keep man in the driver's seat.

In Reformed theology, we believe that God gives you a heart of flesh, and this causes you to exercise faith and repentance. You could not do it with your stony heart. This places God firmly in the driver's seat.

To answer your question though, I don't think that the non-elect will ever display faith and repentance, nor will they even desire a relationship with God. So, I don't believe there is anyone out there who wants to be saved who cannot be saved. There are lots of selfish people who want a personal genie to manipulate into giving them material things, like the shallow "disciples" of John 6, but I don't count them.

The topic of this discussion is Unconditional Election. This, in Calvinism, is the "U" in Reformed Theology's TULIP formula.
Be it Calvin, or Reformed Theology, Unconditional Election is the same in definition and application to the faithful of those traditions.

You are familiar with what Jesus called the Pharisee's? You called me a Pharisee.

I did. See below.



I am not Roman Catholic.

I would refer you to the Book of Luke chapter 1.

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed[b] to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”[c] 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”[d]


The NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon

Strong's Number: 5485
Original WordWord Origin
carißfrom (5463)
Transliterated WordTDNT Entry
Charis9:372,1298
Phonetic SpellingParts of Speech
khar'-ece Noun Feminine
Definition

1. grace
   1. that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech
2. good will, loving-kindness, favour
   1. of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues
3. what is due to grace
   1. the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace
   2. the token or proof of grace, benefit
      1. a gift of grace
      2. benefit, bounty
4. thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward

Mary was given God's grace so that she may birth the only begotten son of the Most High God brought into the world by God's grace, that He, Jesus, would take away the sin of the world. The Book of John chapter 1 verse 29.

I believe a lot of the concepts of calvinism are completely Biblical, but I don't think anyone should follow ANYBODY but Jesus Christ and the teachings of Scripture.

You won't see me touting the person, John Calvin. And I have come across extreme calvinist guys that actually only seek out those they THINK are the elect, instead of preaching the Gospel to all.

This is a point that should not be glossed over in the discussion at hand. The most important question to ask is do we view the bible through the lens of Calvinism or do we view Calvinism through the lens of the bible?

Every point of the five points of Calvinism can be supported from the bible. Most of the five points of Calvinism are misrepresented by Calvinists in biblical context. Calvinists overstate the five points of Calvinism. Was Calvin a good guy? I really don't know.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

I would argue the concept"limited atonement" is not Biblical. The idea is arrived at by calvinists through deductive reasoning. NOT Scripture. In fact, there is no verse that supports limited atonement, but there are numerous ones that say Jesus Christ died for all.

They change Scripture to read:

All = all the elect
Whosoever = whosever of the elect
Everyone = everyone of the elect
The world = the world of the elect

Etc...

I would argue the concept"limited atonement" is not Biblical. The idea is arrived at by calvinists through deductive reasoning. NOT Scripture. In fact, there is no verse that supports limited atonement, but there are numerous ones that say Jesus Christ died for all.

I would argue the concept"limited atonement" is not Biblical. The idea is arrived at by calvinists through deductive reasoning. NOT Scripture. In fact, there is no verse that supports limited atonement, but there are numerous ones that say Jesus Christ died for all.

The atonement that Christ provided is indeed sufficient for all but it is only efficacious to those who believe. Jesus died for all but only those who believe will receive. The limitation is not with God but man.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

I have as of yet found anyone to interpret John 6:38 to say that Jesus died for all mankind. They all quote other verses that they think refutes limited atonement, but John 6:38 cannot be swept under the rug and not be acknowledged for what it says, There must be a reasonable explanation for all scriptures.

I have as of yet found anyone to interpret John 6:38 to say that Jesus died for all mankind. They all quote other verses that they think refutes limited atonement, but John 6:38 cannot be swept under the rug and not be acknowledged for what it says, There must be a reasonable explanation for all scriptures.

38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Those that the Father has given are those who believeth on Jesus that they may have everlasting life. The way unto salvation is Jesus Christ.

In verse 40, are you advocating that all mankind seeth the Son, and believeth on him that all mankind may have everlasting life? If that is the way you believe verse 40 to read, then all mankind will go to heaven and I don't really think you hold that position.

That is not what John 6:38 portrays. All scriptures must be considered. None of them should be ignored.

I'll give it a shot with a clumsy analogy.

I rent out ALL the rooms at The Four Seasons Hotel in NYC. I make an announcement that everyone who wants to come and stay, free room and board, for the rest of their life, may do so.

Many laugh at me. Many don't believe I did, or have the ability to, and don't come. Many don't even think there IS a Four Seasons Hotel and so don't come.


But a few DO believe me, come, and enjoy the place and it's amenities for their whole life.

Now I have PAID for ALL to come. I paid for those rooms of even those that didn't come.



Hope this helps.