Bible Studies

A Practical Look at Election

by Ladd Wheeler
03/19/14
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“And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.”
(Mark 13:27 ESV)

The topic of election is usually seen to be both controversial and divisive by many Christians.  Although there may be a spectrum of explanations of how election works, there are two major opposing schemes of election.  On the one hand, some propose that God elected corporately in that He elected those who will be found to be in Christ.  On the other hand, others state that God elected individually in that He chose by name whomever He wished to be saved.  There has been much debate about which of those two schemes best fits election as revealed in scripture often with the various proponents vigorously defending their position.  But, in practice, are these schemes really so different?

For consideration’s sake, first let’s assume that God’s election is corporate.  Prior to the creation of the universe, because God knew “the end from the beginning” (Isa. 46:10), He knew who individually would be in that number and therefore He knew who individually in time would be saved.  In time, each of those will hear the gospel call of God, each of them will respond in faith, and each of them will be found to be part of the elect.  The salvation of each of them was certain from before the creation of the universe.

 This time, for consideration’s sake, let’s assume that God elected individually.  So, prior to creation, God knew who individually would in time be saved. In time, each of those will hear the gospel call of God, each of them will respond in faith, and each of them will be found to be part of the elect.  The salvation of each of them was certain from before the creation of the universe.

 Now, consider two individuals who each are given clear presentations of the gospel not only verbally but also demonstrably by friends over sustained periods of time.  One of the individuals responds in faith to the gospel, but the other, even though having many opportunities over many years, never responds in faith.  Which of the two aforementioned schemes of election is demonstrated by this scenario?  The answer is that the scenario is equally possible under both schemes of election.

 So, what is the difference between the two schemes of election?  As stated, only the methods of election — one of corporate election and the other of election of individuals.  The two schemes basically provide a distinction with no difference in the end result.  In both, God knew the names of each of the elect before He created the universe and before any of them were born.  In both, each of those elect is certain to respond in faith to God during their lifetime on earth.  Similarly, with respect to those not elected, in both, everyone other than those elect is certain to remain in their sins and to spend eternity suffering under the wrath of God.

(C) Copyright 2014 by J. Ladd Wheeler

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