Assurance of Election in the Believer's Life

The assurance of election is a theologically contested topic among Christian traditions. At its core, the debate revolves around whether believers can be certain of their election to salvation and how this assurance is obtained.

The concept of election is rooted in biblical teachings, where it is described as a sovereign act of God ^[2]. According to the Scriptures, believers are "elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father" (1 Peter 1:2) ^{[1, 3]}. The doctrine of election is closely tied to the idea of predestination, which is understood differently across various Christian traditions.

Reformed Perspective

In the Reformed tradition, assurance of election is often linked to the doctrine of perseverance of the saints. According to John Calvin, a believer's assurance of election comes from understanding that they are among the elect, as evidenced by their faith and calling ^[5]. Charles Hodge further explains that election is to holiness, and believers are chosen to be holy ^[6]. The Reformed perspective emphasizes that assurance comes from faith and the fruit of faith, such as good works and perseverance.

Wesleyan/Arminian Perspective

In contrast, the Wesleyan or Arminian tradition, represented by Adam Clarke's commentary on 1 Peter, suggests that the term "elect" refers to those who are called and respond in faith, rather than an unconditional predestination to salvation ^[4]. This view holds that assurance of election is possible but is not solely based on predestination. Instead, it is tied to the believer's ongoing relationship with God and their perseverance in faith.

Catholic Perspective

The Catholic Church teaches that assurance of salvation is possible but must be considered in the context of God's overall plan and the individual's cooperation with grace. Thomas Aquinas discusses the role of suffrages (prayers and good works) for the dead, highlighting the complex interplay between God's sovereignty and human response ^[7]. The Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes the importance of faith and good works in the life of a believer, citing Mary as a model of obedience to faith ^[11].

Shared Ground

Despite these differences, various Christian traditions agree that assurance of election or salvation is rooted in faith in Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. The Apostles' Creed, an ecumenical statement of faith, affirms belief in the Holy Spirit, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life ^[9]. Across traditions, there is a shared emphasis on the importance of faith, repentance, and perseverance in the Christian life.

Divergence in Traditions

The divergence in understanding assurance of election stems from different hermeneutical approaches to Scripture and varying theological emphases. The Reformed tradition tends to emphasize the sovereignty of God in election, while the Wesleyan/Arminian view highlights human response and cooperation with divine grace. Catholic theology integrates elements of both, with a strong emphasis on the sacraments and the role of the Church.

The early Church Fathers, such as Augustine, contributed to the development of the doctrine of election, emphasizing that it is a matter of divine grace rather than human merit ^[8]. The Lutheran tradition, as represented by Luther's Small Catechism, focuses on the role of the Holy Spirit in calling and keeping believers in faith ^[10].

Sources

I Peter “I Peter 1:2 (Geneva1599) — Elect according to the foreknowledge of God ye Father vnto sanctification of ye Spirit, through obedience and sprinkeling of the blood of Iesus Christ: Grace and peace bee multiplied vnto you.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Election of Grace — The Scripture speaks (1) of the election of individuals to office or to honour and privilege, e.g., Abraham, Jacob, Saul, David, Solomon, were all chosen by God for the positions they held; so also were the apostles. (2) There is also an election of nations to special privileges, e.g., the Hebrews (Deut. 7:6; Rom. 9:4). (3) But in addition there is an election of individuals to eternal life (2 Thess. 2:13; Eph. 1:4; 1 Pet. 1:2; John 13:18). The ground of this election to salvation is the good pleasure of God (Eph. 1:5, 11; Matt. 11:25, 26; John 15”
King James Version “[KJV] 1 Peter 1:2 — Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”
1 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Peter 1:2: Elect according to the foreknowledge of God - If the apostle had directed his letter to persons elected to eternal life, no one, as Drs. Lardner and Macknight properly argue, could have received such a letter, because no one could have been sure of his election in this way till he had arrived in heaven. But the persons to whom the apostle wrote were all, with propriety, said to be elect according to the foreknowledge of God; because, agreeably to the original purpose of God, discovered in the prophetical writings, Jews and Gentiles, indiscriminately, were called to ”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 48.6: lost sheep and joins them to his flock, and holds out his hand to those that were wandering and estranged from him. Hence a knowledge of our election must be sought from this source. As, however, the secret counsel of God is a labyrinth to those who disregard his calling, so those act perversely who, under pretext of faith and calling , darken this first grace, from which faith itself flows. “By faith,” say they, “we obtain salvation: there is, therefore, no eternal predestination of God that distinguishes between ”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 66: and just [u poses come from God, it is of Him, and not of us, that we seek and find his favour. Election is to Holiness. 4. Another plainly revealed fact is, that we are chosen to holiness; that we are created unto good works; in other words, that all good in us is the fruit, and, therefore, cannot by possibility be the ground of election. In Eph. i. 3-6 , the Apostle says: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as He hath chosen us ”
theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Supplement (Supplementum), Of the Suffrages for the Dead, Art. 4: Article: Whether suffrages offered by the living for the dead profit those who offer them? I answer that, The work of suffrage that is done for another may be considered in two ways. First, as expiating punishment by way of compensation which is a condition of satisfaction: and in this way the work of suffrage that is counted as belonging to the person for whom it is done, while absolving him from the debt of punishment, does not absolve the performer from his own debt of punishment, because in this co”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 5: Augustine — Anti-Pelagian — CHAP. 13.--ELECTION IS OF GRACE, NOT OF MERIT.: Whosoever, then, are made to differ from that original condemnation by such bounty of divine 477 grace, there is no doubt but that for such it is provided that they should hear the gospel, and when they hear they believe, and in the faith which worketh by love they persevere unto the end; and if, perchance, they deviate from the way, when they are rebuked they are amended and some of them, although they may not be rebuked by men, return into the path which they had left; and some who have received grace in”
Apostles' Creed (Ecumenical) “Apostles' Creed (Ecumenical, c. 2nd-4th century AD), Section 3: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.”
Luther's Small Catechism (Lutheran) “Luther's Small Catechism (Lutheran, 1529), –Answer: 3cI believe that: –Answer: 3cI believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and w”
Catechism of the Catholic Church (Catholic) “Catechism of the Catholic Church, CHAPTER THREE (part 2): "received divine approval".10 Yet "God had foreseen something better for us": the grace of believing in his Son Jesus, "the pioneer and perfecter of our faith".11 Mary - "Blessed is she who believed" 148 The Virgin Mary most perfectly embodies the obedience of faith. By faith Mary welcomes the tidings and promise brought by the angel Gabriel, believing that "with God nothing will be impossible" and so giving her assent: "Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be [done] to me according to your word."12 Elizabeth greeted her: "Bless”

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