The Purpose of Election?

Today, we continue our study through Perspectives on Election. We've reached the point where we need to discuss texts from the Pauline corpus.

Again, we'll begin with Dr. Ware. "One of the clearest and strongest assertions of the unconditional nature of God's election is given by Paul in Romans 9:10-16" (Ware 9). Maintaining that some scholars believe that this particular passage is in regards to calling for service rather than salvation, Ware points to the beginning of the chapter and then 10:1-4 to make a stand for Paul speaking of salvation. He makes mention of God's concern for Israel's salvation (ibid). However, Ware then somehow moves to an individualistic idea of salvation (for those loved enough to be chosen). "As Paul explains, before the two had been born, and before either had done anything good or bad, God chose Jacob over his older brother Esau" (Ware 10).

Ware then moves to Romans 11:5-7. Interestingly enough, Dr. Ware returns now to a nationalistic view of salvation (the nation of Israel). Based on this passage, Ware argues the Apostle is referring to a gift of election and not salvation (12, emphasis mine). In other words, although the nation of Israel was chosen by God, only a select "remnant" from the nation was elected. Again, Dr. Ware states, "Here God's grace is not only grace (unmerited favor) that saves but grace (unmerited favor) that elects. Those who otherwise would be hardened in their rebellion are instead saved, and this has happened only because God's grace has elected them to be saved. Election then is unconditional" (12-13).

Cottrell begins his statements in regards to Romans 9:10-16. "As I argue in my own essay in this book, the point is unconditional election to service, not to salvation" (Cottrell 60, emphasis his). According to Cottrell, where Dr. Ware errs is using the beginning of Chapter 9 and 10:1-4 to make his argument in regards to the type of election. "This argument [election to salvation] is fallacious, however, because the issue is not whether the passage is about salvation but whether the election to which the passage refers is about salvation..."(ibid., emphasis his).

As to Romans 11:5-7, Cottrell distinguishes the "election" in this passage from that in Chapter 9 - this being for the purpose of salvation and the previous for service. Cottrell makes the point "The error here is to equate unconditional and undeserved" (60-61).

Personal Thoughts

1. I recognize some see this study as somewhat tedious. More about that in another post.
2. I've attempted to and will continue to provide "both sides" of the issue as described in Perspectives on Election. From time to time, I will point out what I perceive to be strengths or weaknesses with both sides.
3. I've pointed out above that I think it strange for Dr. Ware to choose his text, make the argument (in this case seeing the salvation of Israel as a nation) and then changing the argument (to a more individual salvation), before returning again to his previous thought of Israel. If Paul is writing with any coherence, wouldn't it make sense for him to continue the previous thought (God's relationship with Israel as a nation)? For those interested, the pizza man has a good post here in regards to Romans 9.
4. Next week: Election in Ephesians 1