Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Romans 5:6 ¶ For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 5:6 ¶ While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly. |
Subject: Pelagianism or Arminianism? |
Bible Note: Greetings Joe! I had a nice answer to your post and it just got wiped out! :-( Let me respond briefly to your first point. There are two different approaches to election. 1) Calvinist generally see election as the particular, unconditional election to salvation. Under this paradigm, some would have to be set apart and some rejected. 2) Arminians (my version) generally see election as corporate and conditional, in Christ. In other words, Christ is both the Elect and the Elector. It is only in Him that we are elect. From my perspective, this jibe's better with Romans 9-11 than does Calvanism. For the following reasons: a) Romans 9-11 deals primarily with national destinies, not individual destinies. b) Romans 9-11 deals primarily with the issue of why God's forknown people (Israel) have not accepted the Messiah. Paul's answer is that membership in Israel is through faith, not birth. c) Romans 10 specifically extends the gospel to all men. d) Romans 11 says that though some of God's foreknown have rejected Christ, they can be grafted in (into the elect Israel), if they do not continue in their unbelief - Romans 11:23. e) I believe that God's purpose in election is clearly spelled out in Romans 11:32- "For God has bound all men over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all." This approach even makes better sense of the Ephesian 1 passage. What two groups does Paul talk about in Ephesians 1? Jews and Gentiles! What is the mystery that God has revealed concerning His purpose in Ephesians 1? He wants to bring both together into one body in Christ. I feel this view does the best justice to both the Sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. Salvation is only through faith and grace, not works. The offer of salvation is legitimately made to 'whosoever will.' And, our assurance is grounded in the accomplised work of the cross, not human effort. Thanks! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |