The Calvinism Debate - Way of Life Literature

26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where itwas said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall theybe called the children of the living God.27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, ough thenumber of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, aremnant shall be saved:28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short inrighteousness: because a short work will the Lord makeupon the earth.29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaothhad le us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been madelike unto Gomorrha.30 What shall we say then? at the Gentiles, whichfollowed not aer righteousness, have attained torighteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.31 But Israel, which followed aer the law ofrighteousness, hath not attained to the law ofrighteousness.32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but asit were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at thatstumblingstone;33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstoneand rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shallnot be ashamed.is is doubtless the Calvinist’s favorite proof text forsovereign election. Does Romans 9 teach that God arbitrarilyor sovereignly chooses some sinners to be saved and the restto be lost? Let’s consider eight important facts about thispassage:1. e example of Esau and Jacob does not refer to electionpertaining to personal salvation but to election pertaining tonations in God’s overall program.Verse 12 makes this clear. “It was said unto her, e eldershall serve the younger.” e promise of God to Rebecca wasabout the elder son serving the younger, not about their99