Subject: This is why...? |
Bible Note: JVH0212 is right about the need to use the right definition for words like "chosen", but we also need to understand the context in which they are used. Please look carefully at Galations and Romans. To a large extent, these books are dealing with the problem of the judiazing teachers of Acts 15. The gentiles to whom Paul was writing were made to feel like "second class Christians", at least as compared to the Christians with Jewish heritage. I think Paul used the terms "chosen" and "elect" as often as he did to underscore to the gentile Christians that they were special too. It is the same sentiment he was expressing in 1CO 12:13: "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit." Notice that Paul goes on to encourage the Galatian and Roman Christians to live their lives righteously, like special "chosen" people are supposed to. In light of the overwhelming evidence that it is up to man to "choose" to follow God (to convince man to do so is the purpose of the Bible and even the sacrifice of Christ), in light of that evidence, it is clear that "predestined" and "chosen" do NOT mean that God decides for us. I think that the terms apply to a CATEGORY of people - God determined that those who would "call on the name of the Lord" would be saved - He did not predetermine who it was who would call on His name. |