Hello Bereans!
Sorry for such a long post. This is a chapter from my new book (The Noble Berean3) which is to be completed soon. It is chapter seven and is entitled, "Elite
vs. Elect". In my opinion it deals with the very important topic of "election"
and its purpose. These are the types of things I believe the leaders in the body
of Christ desperately need to be aware of.
Here is the chapter.......
PART 7 - ELITE VS. ELECT
There are certain terms, words, topics, and concepts from the Bible, that when
spoken or brought up evoke strong negative feelings and immediate reactions,
causing the listener to shut down, make surface judgments, and want to hear no
more. The words "elect" or "election" are two such words. When the topic of
"God's elect" comes up it is usually met with resistance by the minds of men on
the grounds that it is associated first and foremost with those of the "Baptist"
and "Reformed" persuasions. This is also known as "Calvinism" and it has its
roots in the "Augustinian View" of "election". In simple terms, it is the belief
system that says that says that God has chosen to save only a select ("elect") group of
people and to damn the rest to an eternal hell forever. In addition to this,
many people view the topic of "the elect" (or "election") as a type of
"elitism", and write it off in their minds because it comes across to them as
though it is being stated that the "elect" are an "elite" group of people who
think they are better than all the rest. The third reason why the concept of
"God's elect" would be rejected is due simply to a "lack of knowledge"
concerning what the Bible actually teaches on the subject. It will be our goal
in this teaching to address all three points mentioned ("Calvinism", "Elitism",
and "Lack Of Knowledge") and to explain what it truly means to be one of "God's
elect".
THE CALVINISTIC VIEW OF ELECTION
As was stated in the opening paragraph of this teaching, "Calvinism" has its
roots in the "Augustinian View" of "election". "Augustine" taught that God had
predetermined some for salvation and some for infinite punishment. This teaching
was later embraced and developed by "John Calvin" and came to be known as
"Calvinism". In the "Five Points Of Calvinism", it is referred to as
"Unconditional Election". Here is the definition of "Unconditional Election"
from Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia:
"Unconditional election is the Calvinist teaching that before God created the
world, He chose to save some people according to His own purposes and apart from
any conditions related to those persons. Unconditional election is drawn from
the doctrines of salvation adopted by Augustine of Hippo, was first codified in
the Belgic Confession (1561), re-affirmed in the Canons of Dort (1619), which
arose from the Quinquarticular Controversy, and is represented in the various
Reformed confessions such as the Westminster Standards (1646). It is one of the
five points of Calvinism and is often linked with predestination." -end quote-
(Unconditional Election, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia)
The "Calvinistic View" of "Unconditional Election" was once again carried on
later in history by figures such as: Theodore Beza, George Whitefield, Jonathan
Edwards, and Charles Spurgeon. Some of the more recent teachers of
"Unconditional Election" are: R. C. Sproul, Wayne Grudem, John Piper, Michael
Horton, Don Carson, and James White.
The men we have mentioned who have embraced "this idea" of "election" are
actually correct in stating that God is sovereign and that according to His
sovereignty He "elects" or "chooses" certain people over others. The part of
their teaching that is incorrect lies in their understanding and explanation of
the purpose of election. They view "election" solely as deliverance from
infinite punishment, which teaching is incorrect and not supported by Scripture.
The question is not…Does God "elect" certain people? The real question should
be…What is the purpose of election? Their error is not in "election" itself, but
in the purpose of election!
Note: Some ideas, thoughts, and partial statements from this section (The
Calvinistic View Of Election) were incorporated and quoted from Hope Beyond
Hell, Gerry Beauchemin.
Next, we must address the idea or "spiritual elitism" and how it has caused some
to have a bad taste in their mouth concerning "God's elect". This is another
stumbling block we must overcome in order to rightly divide what the Scriptures
speak pertaining to the true idea of Biblical "election".
SPIRITUAL ELITISM
Some have divorced themselves from the idea that God has an "elect" company of
people He is training (qualifying) to be the leaders of His Kingdom. Those who
hold this view somewhere down the line have become offended by this concept
(that God "elects" a "firstfruits" company of leaders) and found it convenient
to dismiss the Biblical idea of "election" by calling it "spiritual elitism". If
there is one common error I have personally witnessed over and over again with
teachers in the body of Christ, it is this: In an attempt to correct false
doctrine that veers off in one extreme or the other, most use the method of
going all the way to the other extreme and find themselves (unknowingly) in
false doctrine to the opposite extreme.
For example, are there those who think they are "elite" and better than others?
Well…yes. Are there those who view Biblical concepts such as "manifest sonship",
"he that overcomes", and "the Manchild" as an opportunity to flex their
self-righteous Pharisaical muscles on others? Well…yes. Still yet, are there
those who would actually teach that "God's elect" are "elite" and better than
all the rest of God's children? Well…yes. Having said all of this, though, does
the Bible not speak of kings, lords, priests, leaders, rulers, overcomers, the
"elect", firstfruits, and the manifestation of the sons of God? Well…sure it
does. Here is where we must be careful to expose the wrong attitude of
"spiritual elitism", but also (with the proper balance) uphold and proclaim the
true reality and meaning of "God's elect". Just because some wrongly use the
idea of "election" as an opportunity to claim they are "spiritually elite"
(which indeed they are not) does not mean we need to take the term "elect" and
brand it as something bad, or attempt to say there is no such thing. No…we must
be better stewards of the mysteries of God than that! We must do a better job of
rightly dividing the Word of truth than that!
I am more than happy to expose pride and "elitism" in any who may think they are
the cat's meow. But I am not going to go all the way to the other extreme and
say there is no such thing as those who will qualify to be overcomers and be
raised up as leaders in the first resurrection to rule and reign with Jesus
Christ. To deny this truth (that God has "elect" overcomers who are the
firstfruits / the manifestation of the sons of God) is just as wrong as to claim
to be "spiritually elite". They are two ditches of error on either side of the
path of truth. One claims to be "spiritually elite", and the other denies the
plan of God (which includes a firstfruits harvest before the harvests of the
church in general and the unbelievers). I am fully aware that the terms
"overcomers", "the Manchild", and "manifest sons" will ultimately include all of
creation (everyone). But the Bible clearly does not teach this will happen
collectively all at the same time. Once again, the Bible explicitly paints a
picture of three distinct harvests (the overcomers, the church in general, and
the unbelievers) which will ultimately include all, but not all at the same
time. It is important we make the distinction between the different harvests,
because if we do not, we are not rightly dividing the Word of God. And that is
how God would want it, because He is the One Who created these three harvests
for a very specific reason and purpose! In essence, to write off "election" as
"spiritual elitism" is no more than a form of "false humility" and a denial of
the plan of God for His creation.
LACK OF KNOWLEDGE
Most Christians are simply unaware, uninformed, and have a lack of knowledge in
reference to the fact that God has an "elect" firstfruits harvest, as well as
two other harvests pertaining to the church in general and the unbelievers. In
simple terms, they just don't know "the plan of God". The modern day church of
Jesus Christ has so watered down and diluted the true message of the Gospel that
they are hardly able to recognize revelation truth and knowledge when it is
presented to them. In fact, they usually fight against what is true (calling it
evil), and uphold what is false (calling it good). We have all been in this
condition (a lack of knowledge) at one time or another and will probably be
there in times to come. So this is not a put down to those who have not seen
these things or an ego trip for those who are able to see more clearly than
others. I know (personally) that except for the grace and mercy of God I would
know nothing at all about His glorious plan of the ages for all men. This is why
Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus, when he prayed…
Ephesians 1:17-23 (New King James Version):
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you
the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, 18 the eyes of your
understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His
calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19
and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe,
according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when
He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly
places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and
every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to
come. 22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be Head over all
things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in
all.
If we do not understand "the plan of God", then we do not have "the spirit of
wisdom and revelation" in the knowledge of God through Jesus Christ. The
opposite of this statement is also true, in that if we do not have the "spirit
of wisdom and revelation" in the knowledge of God through Jesus Christ, then we
do not understand "the plan of God". Paul told us that we needed revelation
(unveiled reality) and enlightenment from the Spirit of God to know and
understand: the hope of God's calling, the riches of God's inheritance in the
saints, the power of God in this age and the coming age, and the mystery of the
church, which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all.
If you are reading this and you are unaware of these things, then you should
make it your goal from here on out to simply read the Scriptures with this
passage in mind (Ephesians 1:17-23), and by all means…ASK GOD TO GIVE YOU THE
SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM!!! "Ask, and it will be
given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For
everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it
will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8 NKJV) Having said of all this, we are now in
position to ask and answer the most important question pertaining to this topic,
which is: What is the purpose of "election"?
THE PURPOSE OF ELECTION
The words "elect", "elected", and "election" are used several times in various
places throughout the Old and New Testaments. Some examples of Scripture
references using these words can be found at: Isaiah 42:1; Matthew 24:24; Romans
8:33; 1st Peter 1:2; 1st Peter 5:13; Romans 9:11; Romans 11: 5-7; Romans 11:28;
1st Thessalonians 1:4; 2nd Peter 1:10. To say that someone is "elect" or that
God has "elected" them simply means God picks, chooses, selects, or blesses that
person. Oh wonder of wonders that God in His infinite wisdom chooses some before
others to know Him and to be awakened to their salvation in Jesus Christ. There
is little or no debate concerning this truth which has just been mentioned. The
real meat and potatoes, though, of the understanding of "election" is what is
missed by most who claim to understand it and also by those who have not
considered this all important truth as of yet. The part of "election" which is
so little understood is its purpose. Once the true purpose of "election" is
understood all of the pieces of the puzzle come together. It causes the one who
knows nothing of "election" to come alive to the truth, while also causing the
"Calvinist" to see the folly of their belief in infinite punishment, and
finally, it helps that one who has become bitter toward the truth see that in no
way do God's true "elect ones" think they are "spiritually elite" or better than
others. Continued below....
