The Doctrine of Election and Its Impact on Salvation
The doctrine of election is a contested topic among Christian traditions, with varying interpretations on its implications for salvation. At its core, the doctrine of election refers to God's sovereign choice of individuals or groups for salvation or specific roles [1].
One position, held by Reformed theologians such as Charles Hodge and John Calvin, emphasizes the sovereignty of God in election, arguing that it is based on God's good pleasure and not on human merit [7, 8]. According to this view, election is eternal and unconditional, with God predestining certain individuals to salvation [2]. This understanding is rooted in scriptures such as Ephesians 1:4-5 and 11, which speak of God's election and predestination [1, 3].
In contrast, the Wesleyan/Methodist tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke, interprets election as being "according to the grace" of God, emphasizing that it is not based on human worth or excellence but on God's goodness [10]. This perspective also affirms the sovereignty of God in election but leaves room for human response and responsibility.
The Patristic tradition, as seen in the writings of Augustine, supports the idea that election is of grace, not of merit, and that it is a manifestation of God's bounty and divine grace [9]. Augustine's view is that those who are elected are made to differ from the original condemnation by God's grace, and they are enabled to persevere in faith.
Despite these differences, all positions agree that salvation is ultimately a work of God, initiated and completed by Him. Scripture passages such as 2 Timothy 2:10 and Ephesians 2:5 underscore the role of God's grace in salvation [4, 5, 6].
The divergence in understanding election stems from differing hermeneutical commitments and prior doctrinal premises. Reformed traditions tend to emphasize the sovereignty of God in salvation, while other traditions may balance this with an emphasis on human responsibility and response to God's grace.
The doctrine of election has significant implications for understanding salvation. If, as some traditions hold, election is unconditional and based solely on God's sovereignty, this underscores the idea that salvation is entirely a gift of God [7]. On the other hand, traditions that see election as involving human response or responsibility highlight the importance of faith and perseverance in the process of salvation [10].
Sources
- 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”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Predestination — This word is properly used only with reference to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or "determinate purpose" of God governs all events. This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the "secret things" of God. But if we take the revealed word of God as our guid”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Election — Of Christ, as Messiah -- Isa 42:1; 1Pe 2:6. Of good angels -- 1Ti 5:21. Of Israel -- De 7:6; Isa 45:5. Of ministers -- Lu 6:13; Ac 9:15. Of churches -- 1Pe 5:13. Of saints, is Of God. -- 1Th 1:4; Tit 1:1. By Christ. -- Joh 13:18; 15:16. In Christ. -- Eph 1:4. Personal. -- Mt 20:16; Joh 6:44; Ac 22:14; 2Jo 1:13. According to the purpose of God. -- Ro 9:11; Eph 1:11. According to the foreknowledge of God. -- Ro 8:29; 1Pe 1:2. Eternal. -- Eph 1:4. Sovereign. -- Ro 9:15,16; 1Co 1:27; Eph 1:11. Irrespective of merit. -- Ro 9:11. Of grace. -- Ro 11:5. Recorded i”
- II Timothy “II Timothy 2:10 (LITV) — Because of this, I endure all things on account of the elect, that they also may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus, with everlasting glory.”
- King James Version “[KJV] 2 Timothy 2:10 — Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:5: 2:5 gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (literally made us alive together with Christ): Joined with Christ, believers share in his resurrection, now and in the future (see 2:6; Rom 6:4-14; Col 3:1-4). • It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved: See Eph 1:2; 2:8-9.”
- CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 107: from the doctrine of election. Indeed it never was denied that Christ died specially for the elect until the doctrine of election itself was rejected. Augustine, 548 the follower and expounder of St. Paul, taught that God out of his mere good pleasure had elected some to everlasting life, and held that Christ came into the world to suffer and die for their salvation. He purchased them with his own precious blood. The Semi-Pelagians, in denying the doctrine of election, of course denied that Christ’s death had more reference to one class ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 109: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:2 1:26 1:27 1:31 2:7 2:7 2:17 2:18 2:23 2:23 3:7 3:9 3:12 3:15 3:15 3:15 3:22 4:4 4:7 4:10 4:13 6:3 6:5 6:6 6:18 7:21 8:21 9:6 12:12 12:17 14:18 14:18 15:1 15:1 15:5 15:17 16:9 17:7 17:7 17:10 17:10 17:13 17:15 17:27 18:2 18:23 20:3 20:7 21:1 21:12 21:24 22:1 22:8 22:16-18 23:4 23:19 24:7 24:10 26:27 27:28 27:38-39 28:12 28:20 29 30:2 31:19 31:20 31:40-41 32 32:10 32:13 32:29-30 33 34 36:22 37:18 37:28 37:33 38:18 42 43 43:14 45:5 47:9 47:9 47:29-30 48:14 48:16 49:5-6 49:18 Exodus 2:12 3:2 3”
- 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”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 11:5: Even so then at this present time - As in the present day the irreligion of the Jews is very great; yet there is a remnant, a considerable number, who have accepted of the grace of the Gospel. According to the election of grace - And these are saved just as God has saved all believers from the beginning; they are chosen by his grace, not on account of any worth or excellence in themselves, but through his goodness are they chosen to have a place in his Church, and continue to be his people, entitled to all the privileges of the new covenant. The election of grace si”