Some years ago, I read some books and articles on the Doctrine of Election. I acquired all I could from the Banner of Truth trust and other Reformed sources on this topic and read them over and over again. The Reformed view of election made sense to me at the time, and I fully embraced the Calvinist viewpoint. It wasn’t until recently when I addressed this topic afresh that I realised that the Reformed view is based on Augustine of Hippo’s philosophy. Much of what we call today Reformed or Calvinist teachings are based on what John Calvin taught, who followed Augustine of Hippo’s philosophic worldview. The principles of Augustine’s ideas laid the foundation for the Roman Catholic belief system. Augustine was steeped in Gnosticism and paganism.

When I embraced the so-called “Doctrines of Grace” I was not aware that much of what Calvin thought and believed came from Augustine. Now before I go further, I would just like to point out that not everything that this school of thought teaches is based on Augustine’s philosophy. Some Reformed teachings are good and sound, but some are based not on Scripture but on Augustinian philosophy.

One of the most popular views on election today is the Reformed view which teaches that God in His sovereign will and plan for mankind has elected or chosen certain people for salvation and chosen some for damnation. The Calvinist doctrine is summed up in their teaching called, Unconditional Election. The view that God unconditionally elects certain individuals to be saved is the essential part of the Reformed View of election.

This paper is not intended to be a detailed study on the subject of election, but a bitesize understanding and food for thought. I am well aware that there are many good men and women that will disagree with me on this and take an opposite view. I merely aim to set before you my view and to show you from Scripture why I believe what I believe and why I have come to the position that the Reformed view on election is unscriptural and based on philosophy rather than the sound Word of God.

Before I go into what I want to say let us do a short word study on, “election.”  Our English word elect or election comes from three Greek words. One of them is “eklektos.”

“Eklektos” means “picked out or chosen.” This word is used of Christ himself who is the chosen of God, as the Messiah. Christ was chosen to fulfil a mission. It is also used metaphorically of Christ as a ‘living Stone’ and ‘a chief cornerstone’. This word is also used of angels, they are chosen to be the servants of God and as His messengers to human beings. This word is also used of believers in the calling with which they are called.

There are four uses of the word Elect or Election in the Bible.

1. Chosen to office (1 Samuel 10:24, John 6:70, and Acts 9:15)
2. Of Israel as a chosen nation (Isaiah 44:1 & 45:4), and the Church, to spiritual blessing (1 Peter 5:13).
3. Of Israel to blessings in their own land (Deuteronomy 7:6).
4. Of believers for conformity to Christ (Romans 8:29), good works (Ephesians 2:10) spiritual warfare (2 Timothy 2:4), and eternal glory (Romans 9:23).

It is my understanding that when election is mentioned in Scripture it is more to do with service to God than salvation.

Acts 9:15 says, “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel.” Here the Bible speaks of an individual being chosen for a service.

Romans 11:5 says, “In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice.” Here the Bible is talking about Israel, not the church or individual believers. So, here in the context of Romans 11:5 the word election is talking about a nation. They were elected by God for a purpose and position, much like a Prime Minister is elected for a position of service.  This point can further be shown in 1 Thessalonians 1:4 where the words, “election of God” are mentioned. Again, the context is service to God as Paul writes in the previous verse about their, “work of faith, and labour of love” towards the Lord Jesus Christ. They have been chosen by God for service. Commenting on this verse Matthew Henry wrote, “There was a chosen remnant of believing Jews, who had righteousness and life by faith in Jesus Christ. These were kept according to the election of grace.” We can see from the text of Scripture that there was a group of Jews that were chosen. The Bible is talking about a group of people not certain individuals.

Another text that I would like to draw your attention to is found in 2 Peter 1:10. The Bible says, “Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble.” Believers cannot make their election sure if God elects people. If the Calvinist view is correct, then the believer has no say in their election and thus cannot make their election sure.

There are many Scriptures that speak of God choosing that have nothing to do with salvation. For example, Mark 13:20 says, “Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days.” Here the Bible speaks of the elect being Israel. In 1 Corinthians 1:27 the Bible speaks of God choosing the foolish things of the world to confuse the wise. The Bible says, “but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.” In Luke 6:13 the Scriptures mention that Jesus chose his twelve apostles for a service. Jesus choosing them in this context is nothing to do with their salvation, but their service to God.

Now let us look at one of the proof texts that Reformed believers will use to prove their view of election. Ephesians 1:4 is a favourite of the Calvinist. Let us read this verse carefully and see what it says. Ephesians 1:4 says, “just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love.” The verse does not say, “chosen to be in him.” If the verse did say that then the Calvinist would have a good point. The verse says that we are chosen in him before the foundation of the world to be holy. The verse is talking about service to God, not salvation. It is talking about the blessings of those who are in Christ.

So, with that being said, do we have a say in our salvation? Does mankind have a choice when it comes to salvation? Choosing to serve God is a conscious choice and there are passages in Scripture that mention making a choice to follow God. Deuteronomy 30:19 says, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants.” Here the Bible speaks of a choice between life and death; there is a choice to be made. Joshua 24:15 continues, “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Again, there was a choice to be made. The people had to choose if they would serve God or not. We know from Scripture that it is God’s desire that all will come to a knowledge of the truth and that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). In Luke 13:34 we read about Jesus lamenting over Jerusalem. In the text Jesus says that he would have gathered them together, “as hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not have it!” Here Jesus says that they would not come to Him. 

So, in conclusion the Doctrine of Election relates more to service to God than it does to salvation. God has elected certain people for roles and service. For example, some are called to teach and preach, some are called to be elders, and others are called to other roles within the assembly of God’s people.