The Calvinism Debate - Way of Life Literature

not say that they refused to bow the knee because Godforeordained it. One has to read all of that into the account.e “election of grace” is explained more clearly in Romans11:7--“What then? Israel hath not obtained that which heseeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the restwere blinded.” is not about some being foreordained tosalvation and others not being so foreordained but about thegospel of grace vs. works. Israel sought God by the law ratherthan by grace. is was made clear in chapter 9. “What shallwe say then? at the Gentiles, which followed not aerrighteousness, have attained to righteousness, even therighteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followedaer the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law ofrighteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not byfaith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbledat that stumblingstone; as it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion astumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believethon him shall not be ashamed” (Rom. 9:30-33).Ephesians 1:5--“Having predestinated us unto theadoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, accordingto the good pleasure of his will.”If this verse stood on its own in Scripture it would bepossible for it to carry the Calvinist interpretation of“Sovereign Election” and Irresistible Calling, but it does notstand alone. In Romans 8:29-33 we find that the act ofpredestination begins with God’s foreknowledge. See thecomment on that passage.Acts 13:48--“And when the Gentiles heard this, they wereglad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many aswere ordained to eternal life believed.”If this verse stood alone in the book of Acts, the Calvinistinterpretation (that God sovereignly pre-determines thatsome will be saved and then irresistibly saves them) would beacceptable, but the verse does not stand alone.e context, in fact, refutes Calvinist theology:105