Our survey of Perspectives on Election continues by turning to Ephesians 1. This particular chapter has been part of the heated debate regarding election for some time.
Dr. Ware focuses most of his attention on verses 4, 5, and 11. He is quick to state, "Paul brings to his mind and lips specific reasons for why God should by blessed, the first and second items he recalls and celebrates are our election in Christ (1:4) and our predestination to be adopted children through Christ (1:5)... the primary purpose for including this detail, it seems, establishes the fact that election of those whom God will save is God's choice pure and simple, a choice with which we had nothing to do and could have had nothing to do" (italics mine 13). I would be remiss if I didn't list a summary from Dr. Ware. "God works everything according to His will, but notice that nothing is said here (1:3-14) about God working things out according to our wills! In other words, all that God chooses is unconditional, including his predestination and election of us" (14).
Dr. Cottrell accuses Ware of using the "usual Calvinist spin" (61). Of course, Cottrell offers another interpretation of election - namely that Paul is speaking of a predestination of Jews and Gentiles. "I base this case on two facts: 1) the sudden shift from first person plural to second person plural in 1:13; and 2) the underlying theme of the letter in 2:11-3:21 i.e., God's eternal purpose of uniting Jews and Gentiles together through Jesus Christ in to a single body, the Church" (ibid).
Personal Observation
Dr. Ware maintains his argument of unconditional election based on verses 6, 12, and 14. However, he overlooks verse 13, despite 1:3-14 being one complete sentence. According to the NRSV, verse 13 reads, "In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit;" (emphasis mine). Now is not the time and place to debate the participle use of "believed". However, it seems the seal of the Holy Spirit is based upon one acting on their knowledge - something Dr. Ware conveniently overlooks.
Any thoughts or disagreements?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
6 comments:
Dr. Ware has some great points. I enjoyed this post. Keep up the great work!
Pressed on the subject I have never met a Calvinist who would disagree with the condition of personal belief. In their interpretation though because of man's fallen nature even one's ability to muster belief needs to come from God (ie. somewhere it even says "it was granted that you believe").
Thanks for stopping by Kinney.
Hey crossgeneration!
You said:
"Pressed on the subject I have never met a Calvinist who would disagree with the condition of personal belief."
Isn't that what Augustine, Luther, and Calvin taught? In other words, man can do nothing (including accept grace) on his own? If one holds to this strict view of calvinism, God has to determine who believes and who doesn't (Determinism).
Doesn't this seem to be what Dr. Ware is maintaining here?
I believe in depravity (which you adequately describe above) due to the Fall. However, there must be a balance with the grace God provides to ALL mankind. In other words, He is patient and desires all man to be saved (1 Tim 2:4). Although the grace of God is available to all, only a portion will choose this free gift.
Blessings!
Mike
Hi Mike,
It's interesting to note how many times the phrase "in Christ" or "in him" is mentioned. I interpret this passage to say that all believers are elect in Christ.
Hlo Kevin.
I agree. Paul uses the phrase throughout Ephesians 1. The debates I've seen or heard regarding this passage seem to focus on the meaning of "in him" and the definition of chosen/predestination. I've heard Cotrell's view before but I need to chew on it a bit more.
Thanks for the input!
Mike
Post a Comment