Is God Unfair? (2 of 7)
Series: Questioning God
Jonathan McLeod
Romans 9:14-23
So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy (v. 16).
DIVINE ELECTION
In Romans 9, we come face to face with the doctrine of divine election. What is divine election?
The word ''election'' means ''choosing.'' And the word ''divine'' indicates that this choosing belongs to God. Divine election is the doctrine that God has chosen before creation who will be saved.
The big issue with divine election is whether it's conditional (i.e., based on God's foreknowledge of people's faith) or unconditional. I believe that divine election is unconditional. Wayne Grudem writes that election ''is an act of God before creation in which he chooses some people to be saved, not on account of any foreseen merit in them, but only because of his sovereign good pleasure.''
In verses 14-23, the apostle Paul brings up the two most common questions people ask about unconditional election.
1. ''Is there injustice on God's part?'' (v. 14).
2. ''Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?'' (v. 19).
If unconditional election is true, is God unfair?
[Read Romans 9:1-23.]
NO EASY ANSWERS
Admittedly, the questions that Paul raises aren't easy questions to answer. Divine election is a difficult doctrine. It's not something we can completely understand (like the Trinity).
- Before creation God chose who would be saved.
- God's word promises that ''everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'' (Rom. 10:13).
The fact that the Bible contains many paradoxes (like divine election and human responsibility) could b ...
Series: Questioning God
Jonathan McLeod
Romans 9:14-23
So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy (v. 16).
DIVINE ELECTION
In Romans 9, we come face to face with the doctrine of divine election. What is divine election?
The word ''election'' means ''choosing.'' And the word ''divine'' indicates that this choosing belongs to God. Divine election is the doctrine that God has chosen before creation who will be saved.
The big issue with divine election is whether it's conditional (i.e., based on God's foreknowledge of people's faith) or unconditional. I believe that divine election is unconditional. Wayne Grudem writes that election ''is an act of God before creation in which he chooses some people to be saved, not on account of any foreseen merit in them, but only because of his sovereign good pleasure.''
In verses 14-23, the apostle Paul brings up the two most common questions people ask about unconditional election.
1. ''Is there injustice on God's part?'' (v. 14).
2. ''Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?'' (v. 19).
If unconditional election is true, is God unfair?
[Read Romans 9:1-23.]
NO EASY ANSWERS
Admittedly, the questions that Paul raises aren't easy questions to answer. Divine election is a difficult doctrine. It's not something we can completely understand (like the Trinity).
- Before creation God chose who would be saved.
- God's word promises that ''everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved'' (Rom. 10:13).
The fact that the Bible contains many paradoxes (like divine election and human responsibility) could b ...
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