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To: Frumanchu; fortheDeclaration; WinstonChurchill; Corin Stormhands; P-Marlowe;
In addition to the following explanation of a Wesley-Arminian view of Predestination and Election, we would say that no verse in Chapter 9 of Romans can be taken out of the overall context of Romans 9:1 through 11:36. Additionally, of course, we go to the context of Pharaoh's hardening and read how many times he hardened his heart before God "fixed" the hardening in place. Regarding "Jacob have I loved and Esau have I hated," it must be remembered that this quote comes from MALACHI 1:2 which was written in ca. 450 BC....about 1,500 years AFTER the lives of Jacob and Esau had long since ended. The entire verse is: "I have loved you (the nation Israel)," says the Lord. But you say, "How hast Thou loved us?" "Was not Esau Jacob's brother?" declares the Lord. "Yet I have loved Jacob; but I have hated Esau, AND I HAVE MADE HIS MOUNTAINS A DESOLATION, AND APPOINTED HIS INHERITANCE FOR THE JACKALS OF THE WILDERNESS."...THOUGH EDOM...etc., etc., (the Edomites were the descendants of Esau.)

This says that God chooses the nation Israel over Edom in the past (Jacob over Esau) and that in the present he has chosen the Gentiles OVER Israel.....he will have mercy on whom he will have mercy.

The Wesley-Arminian View of Predestination and Election:

(Wiley, Culberton) In contrast to the Calvinist view...Arminianism holds that predestination is the gracious purpose of God to save all mankind from utter ruin. It is not an arbitrary, indiscriminate act of God intended to secure the salvation of so many and no more. It includes provisionally all men in its scope, and is conditioned solely on faith in Jesus Christ. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Election differs from predestination in this, that election implies a choice, whereas predestination does not. In Ephesians 1:4,5,11-13, it is said that God hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, THAT WE SHOULD BE HOLY AND WITHOUT BLAME BEFORE HIM IN LOVE. this is election. The gracious plan by which this is to be accomplished is predestination, having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. thus predestination is God's general and gracious plan of saving men, by adopting them as children through Christ; election pertains to the chosen ones who are holy and blameless before Him in love. the proofs of election are not in the secret counsels of God, but in the visible fruits of holiness. the church is both predestinated and elected, the former referring to the plan of redemption as manifested in the universal call; the latter to the elect or chosen ones who have accepted the offers of mercy. The elect are chosen, not by absolute decree, but by acceptance of the conditions of the call. And as the character of the elect consists of holiness and blamelessness before Him in love, so election is by those means which make men righteous and holy. Hence our Lord says, I have chose you OUT OF the world. (John 15:19). St Paul explains it by saying, God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, THOROUGH SANCTIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT AND BELIEF OF THE TRUTH (2 Thess 2:13) St Peter's teaching is to the same effect, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, THROUGH SANCTIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ (I Peter 1:2)

Armininian theology has generally treated the subject of election under the threefold aspect. FIRST, the election of individuals to perform some particular service. Thus Moses was chosen to lead Israel out of Egypt and Aaron to be the priest of the sanctuary. Cyrus was elected to aid in rebuilding the temple, Christ chose the twelve as apostles, and St Paul was chosen as the apostle of the Gentiles. These offices were ordained to assist others, and not to exclude them from saving grace. SECOND, the election of nations or other bodies of men to special religious privileges. Thus Israel was chosen as God's first representative of the visible Church on earth. THIRD, the election of particular individuals to be the children of God and heirs of eternal life. This Arminianism always and rightly regards as conditional upon faith in Christ, and as including ALL who believe.

29 posted on 04/26/2002 8:56:41 PM PDT by xzins
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To: xzins;Frumanchu; fortheDeclaration; WinstonChurchill; Corin Stormhands;drstevej;irishtenor...
THIRD, the election of particular individuals to be the children of God and heirs of eternal life. This Arminianism always and rightly regards as conditional upon faith in Christ, and as including ALL who believe.

So God selects those that select Him first ??Once they believe he is god then He becomes God and selects them.Sounds like a "plan" just not a scripitual one:>)))

Psa 65:4 Blessed [is the man whom] thou choosest, and causest to approach [unto thee, that] he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, [even] of thy holy temple.

Isa 45:4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.

Mark 13:20; And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days

John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Jhn 6:29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Jhn 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

He is sure a lucky God to have such clever , smart men select and elect Him

31 posted on 04/27/2002 7:07:12 AM PDT by RnMomof7
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