Election (God chooses you, you don't choose Him)

[BadDog]

The purpose of this poll is to get an idea how we think about election. In general, those who hold to election say that God chooses (elects) us, but we cannot choose Him until we are first regenerated (Reformed viewpoint). Some say the opposite (Arminian) and many are somewhere else on the issue. I'm just curious where most align. I'll try to list all options some may have, but I guess I'll have to have an "other" option. Please don't select it unless truly necessary.

BD

[BrckBrln]

I picked the Reformed position.

[BadDog]

Cool. I'm really interested in how the percentages work out, so I hope this is taken by many of our users.

Oh, FWIW, I take the position that both are possible at the same time. (Molinism) I don't think I've had the pleasure of interacting with you on any threads here... about the time you joined was when I backed off. It'll happen again when school starts - Monday.

Tell me about that book by Pink on the sovereignty of God. I just led a youth D-group on that this week. We didn't get into election-free will, but we did discuss some practical questions regarding how a proper understanding of His sovereignty should be reflected in our lives. (A take from AW Tozer's excellent "The Knowledge of the Holy.")

Hey, I started a poll on "Are you a heretic?" There's a link to a quiz which reveals some of our misunderstandings about various doctrines.

BD

[grptinHisHand]

God chose us, not just foreknew. He chose us ALL though. Not all accept Him, but John 3:16 says Christ came so that "whoever believes in Him' will be saved. That indicates to me that He chooses all. Also, God is 'not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.'
But so many reject Him. They do not have to, because salvation is His free gift to all who believe and receive Him - when we come to Him on His terms, which includes turning from our way, to Him. Well, the gift is free to US. It cost Christ His life - that is a very big price to pay.
g

[BadDog]

Hmmm, interesting idea - God chose us all. I like it. (Don't agree, but it is intriguing.)

BD

[Kate]

I chose "Other".

God chose us before the foundation of the world because of no merit in ourselves but because of his own good pleasure to have mercy. Because of this, when we hear the truth of the gospel the Holy Spirit is sent to us in our unregenerate state and reveals the truth of it to us.

It is not possible for anyone to hear the gospel and receive Christ without the Holy Spirit revealing truth. This is why it says that no-one can come to the Son unless the Father draws him.

When we hear the gospel in our unregenerate state it's foolishness to us without the aid of the Holy Spirit. There's nothing good in us, and we are spiritually blind. Jesus said "my sheep know my voice". We hear His voice calling us and we respond.

We choose God by our own free will. Yes. But God also chose us.

[BadDog]

I chose "Other".

God chose us before the foundation of the world because of no merit in ourselves but because of his own good pleasure to have mercy. Because of this, when we hear the truth of the gospel the Holy Spirit is sent to us in our unregenerate state and reveals the truth of it to us.

It is not possible for anyone to hear the gospel and receive Christ without the Holy Spirit revealing truth. This is why it says that no-one can come to the Son unless the Father draws him.

When we hear the gospel in our unregenerate state it's foolishness to us without the aid of the Holy Spirit. There's nothing good in us, and we are spiritually blind. Jesus said "my sheep know my voice". We hear His voice calling us and we respond.

We choose God by our own free will. Yes. But God also chose us.

Hmmm, can't make up my mind if you're #3 or #1 (Reformed). The end makes me think that you're Reformed, but with a Molinist twist. (Similar to me.)

Thx,

BD

[BrckBrln]

Tell me about that book by Pink on the sovereignty of God.

It's a great book if you believe in the Reformed doctrine of the sovereignty of God. If you don't, however, you might find it quite revolting.

[Sherrie]

I lean toward Kates thoughts as well. I voted other.

[9Marksfan]

God chose us, not just foreknew. He chose us ALL though. Not all accept Him, but John 3:16 says Christ came so that "whoever believes in Him' will be saved. That indicates to me that He chooses all.

How are you getting that? Surely God only chooses those who will believe (however you understand that choosing)?

[9Marksfan]

I chose "Other".

God chose us before the foundation of the world because of no merit in ourselves but because of his own good pleasure to have mercy. Because of this, when we hear the truth of the gospel the Holy Spirit is sent to us in our unregenerate state and reveals the truth of it to us.

It is not possible for anyone to hear the gospel and receive Christ without the Holy Spirit revealing truth. This is why it says that no-one can come to the Son unless the Father draws him.

When we hear the gospel in our unregenerate state it's foolishness to us without the aid of the Holy Spirit. There's nothing good in us, and we are spiritually blind. Jesus said "my sheep know my voice". We hear His voice calling us and we respond.

We choose God by our own free will. Yes. But God also chose us.

Everything you say is Reformed - including possibly the last sentence too! Once we are regenerated, our wills truly ARE free -and we freely choose Christ! So is there something about the Reformed stance that you disagree with?

[BrckBrln]

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14

Not everybody is chosen.

And yeah, our wills are changed by God so that we 'freely' (from our perspective) choose Him.

[Pleroo]

Chosen for what?

[Kate]

“For many are called, but few are chosen.” Matthew 22:14

Not everybody is chosen.

And yeah, our wills are changed by God so that we 'freely' (from our perspective) choose Him.

I agree with that. Well put.

[9Marksfan]

Chosen for what?

Salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thess 5:9, 2 Thess 2:13).