Many professing Christians really have no view of election. They have not given it enough thought and study to even have an opinion about it. Many have erroneous views. We shall note some of them.
1. The view that men are elected when they believe.
This view is but a strawman, for it is not only an opposing view of the Bible, but also goes against common sense. Election is to salvation, and therefore, must happen before salvation. It is nonsense to talk about electing a man to something he already has. The man has salvation when he believes, therefore election at that moment of belief and on would not be necessary. Election took place in eternity past. Salvation takes place when the sinner believes.
2. The view that election pertains only to the Jews.
It is easy to see why those in the Jewish faith believe this, for indeed this was the case before the new covenant. Yet why a believer in Jesus as the Christ would hold to this is puzzling. The New Testament makes it very clear that the elect of God are now pulled from all the nations of the earth.
One needs to read the whole chapter of Romans 11, in order to see that indeed the Bible supports that salvation is open to the Gentiles.
Romans 11: 11b …through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
This view also robs Gentiles of the comfort of Rom 8:28-39.
Rom 8:28-29 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Paul, who was an apostle to the Gentiles, also says that he endured all things for the elect's sakes that they might obtain salvation.
2 Tim 2:10 Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
It should be clear to all that the Bible speaks of the elect of God as believers in Christ, which would void this argument.
3. The view that election took place in eternity, but that it was in view of foreseen repentance and faith.
According to this view, God, in eternity, looked down through the ages and saw who would repent and believe. those who He foreknew to repent and believe were elected to salvation. This view is wrong in that it makes the ground of election to be something in the sinner rather than something in God.
Election is by God. God knows all things. Therefore God did not need to look down in time to learn anything from man. God knows because God made all things and decreed His will to take place. This view has God looking to what man will do, in order to learn something from man. There is no way that this could be the case if you believe the Bible. Read Eph 1:4-6 where election and predestination are said to be "According to the good pleasure of His will" and "To the praise of the glory of His grace".
This view is one of the most popular views among those that try to change the meaning of election. However it comes with many objections.
Both repentance and faith are gifts of God, and God did not see these graces in any sinner apart from His purpose to give them.
Acts 5:13 "When they heard these things they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, `Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life'"
Acts 11:18. "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledgement of the truth"
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Eph 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
This view also makes the human race differ by nature, whereas, the Bible says, we are all by nature the children of wrath and all clay of the same lump. This idea would make some of mankind smarter or wiser than others, and this would be the reason for belief by some and not others. Yet the Bible clearly says we are all sinners and in the same boat headed for damnation.
Eph 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
Rom 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
Men are made to differ in the new birth. After the new birth is when our eyes are open to the truth.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Also, this view perverts the Scriptural meaning of the word "foreknowledge".
To be foreknown, is more then just knowing about a person, as it is seen in the Bible. Foreknowing is the idea of an intimate relationship. The relationship is between God and the believer. The Greek words found here prove this meaning. One could easily replace the word "foreknow", with “loved before hand”. The meaning being this: God loved His elect before they were even born. This is the same idea seen in Romans Chapter 9 when it speaks of God loving and choosing Jacob before he was born, not having a chance to do right or wrong, so that Jacob could not claim it was something good in him.
Romans 9: 11(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
Last, this view is open to the strongest objection that can be made against the Biblical view.
It is often asked, "If certain men are elected and saved, then what is the use to preach to those who are not elected?" Or."If God knows who is going to repent and believe, then why preach to those, who according to His foreknowledge, will not repent and believe?" Will some repent and believe whom He foreknew would not repent and believe? If so, He foreknew a lie.
The elect, prior to their conversion, are known only to God. We are to preach the gospel to every creature because He has commanded it. He will take care of the results.
Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
1 Cor 3:5-6 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
John 6:37-45 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. 38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. 40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. 41 The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. 42 And they said, Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I came down from heaven? 43 Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves. 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. 45 It is written in the prophets,
Next week we will disarm many prejudices against Bible Centered Election.