Systematic Theology, by Louis Berkhof - New Leaven

salvation. More briefly it may be said to be God’s eternal purpose to save some of the
human race in and by Jesus Christ.
b. The characteristics of election. The characteristics of election are identical with the
characteristics of the decrees in general. The decree of election: (1) Is an expression of the
sovereign will of God, His divine good pleasure. This means among other things that Christ
as Mediator is not the impelling, moving, or meritorious cause of election, as some have
asserted. He may be called the mediate cause of the realization of election, and the
meritorious cause of the salvation unto which believers are elected, but He is not the
moving or meritorious cause of election itself. This is impossible, since He is Himself an
object of predestination and election, and because, when He took His mediatorial work
upon Him in the Counsel of Redemption, there was already a fixed number that was
given unto Him. Election logically precedes the Counsel of Peace. The elective love of
God precedes the sending of the Son, John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; II Tim. 1:9; I John 4:9. By
saying that the decree of election originates in the divine good pleasure the idea is also
excluded that it is determined by anything in man, such as foreseen faith or good
works, Rom. 9:11; II Tim. 1:9. (2) It is immutable, and therefore renders the salvation of the
elect certain. God realizes the decree of election by His own efficiency, by the saving
work which He accomplishes in Jesus Christ. It is His purpose that certain individuals
should believe and persevere unto the end, and He secures this result by the objective
work of Christ and the subjective operations of the Holy Spirit, Rom. 8:29,30; 11:29; II
Tim. 2:19. It is the firm foundation of God which standeth, “having this seal, The Lord
knoweth them that are His.” And as such it is the source of rich comfort for all believers.
Their final salvation does not depend on their uncertain obedience, but has its
guarantee in the unchangeable purpose of God. (3) It is eternal, that is, from eternity. This
divine election should never be identified with any temporal selection, whether it be for
the enjoyment of the special grace of God in this life, for special privileges and
responsible services, or for the inheritance of glory hereafter, but must be regarded as
eternal, Rom. 8:29,30; Eph. 1:4,5. (4) It is unconditional. Election does not in any way
depend on the foreseen faith or good works of man, as the Arminians teach, but
exclusively on the sovereign good pleasure of God, who is also the originator of faith
and good works, Rom. 9:11; Acts 13:48; II Tim. 1:9; I Pet. 1:2. Since all men are sinners
and have forfeited the blessings of God, there is no basis for such a distinction in them;
and since even the faith and good works of the believers are the fruit of the grace of
God, Eph. 2:8,10; II Tim. 2:21, even these, as foreseen by God, could not furnish such a
basis. (5) It is irresistible. This does not mean that man cannot oppose its execution to a
certain degree, but it does mean that his opposition will not prevail. Neither does it
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