Subject: Thoughts on Romans 9 |
Bible Note: Greetings Curt! In response to your question, I would say that the election being discussed is not an election to salvation, but an election of purpose. If you read my prior posts, you have seen this before. But to summarize my position, each of the quotes in Rom. 9 from the Old Testament are taken from contexts which illustrate God's sovereign right to work through nations and individuals as He sees fit. None of them deal with salvation. Isaac was chosen over Ishmael to be the one through whom Israel would descend. Jacob was choosen to be the one through whom Israel would descend. But, nowhere does it say that Esau was lost. Even Pharoah was raised up to glorify God. The "raising" here refers to his position, not his eternal destiny. And finally, the vessels of the potter all refer back to Old Testament passages which demonstrate God's sovereign right to use nations. All of these examples are given to answer the possible objection in Rom. 9:6-7 that God was unfair in not including all of the physical descendents of Israel into the Spiritual Israel. Thus, I think any attempt to read into this chapter the unconditional election of individuals to salvation is missing the context of the chapter. Paul is expanding Israel to include both Jews and Gentiles. He is making the point that all who come in faith receive the promise. And, that God's purpose in election is to have mercy of all (Rom. 11:32). What do you think? Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |