Lesson for October 22, 2025
Calvinism and Reformed Theology
Lesson 2
Tulip
U – Unconditional Election
Calvinism, which is taught in Reformed Theology, defines unconditional election as follows: “The unchangeable purpose of God, whereby, before the foundation of the world, He hath out of mere grace, according to the sovereign good pleasure of His own will, chosen, from the whole human race… a certain number of persons to redemption in Christ.”
This is a false teaching based on a total misunderstanding of the Doctrines of Election and Predestination. These two doctrines have absolutely nothing to do with salvation. They rather have to do with service after salvation. Though God knew in eternity past who would and would not believe in Christ, He did not predetermine it.
Ephesians 1:3-4, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.” Calvinists use these verses as a proof text for Unconditional Election. However, these verses are clearly talking about the Christian life, not salvation. Notice that believers are chosen “in Him,” meaning believers are chosen because they are in union with Christ. Therefore, these verses are referring to the Christian life, and the spiritual assets God has provided for believers because they freely chose to believe in Christ for salvation.
Election is therefore the plan of God for believers, whereby He chooses or selects certain things to be true of them. The Greek word for election is “eklektos,” and means picked out, selected, or chosen for privilege. The question that must be answered in order to clearly understand this doctrine is “What are these things that God chooses for a believer?” Please notice that it is not God choosing a person for salvation; rather it is God choosing certain things to be true of believers.
God elected us for a service, and we know that this service is a “reasonable, rational, intelligent” service. (Romans 12:1-2) We know from the study of His Word what this service is, and we know how to accomplish it. But, it is still a matter of personal volition (free will). Some will and some will not choose to fulfill this service for God. For believers who choose to fulfill this service, there awaits a life of peace, joy, and contentment. Royalty has privilege, but it also has great responsibility. The privileges that are available to us as Royal Family of God are numberless and beyond human comprehension. Therefore, the responsibility is huge. (Colossians 3:12-17)
Predestination
A companion doctrine to election is predestination. The Greek word for predestinate is “proorizo.” “Pro” means before and “orizo” means to mark or to design. Combined, these words mean “to determine or to design beforehand.” As with the Doctrine of Election, the question we must ask is, “What is it that is predetermined or predesigned by God?” We know from many Scriptures that God does not decide ahead of time who will believe in Christ and who will reject Him. This decision is always left to the free will of the individual. So, what is predetermined?
God predesigned/ predetermined a perfect plan for every believer in eternity past. God decided that anyone who believed in Christ would receive certain blessings on earth and even greater blessings in eternity. This plan was predetermined or predesigned by God for a believer’s maximum happiness. Our spiritual assets are part of these blessings, but there is much more awaiting believers who live the Christian Way of Life. (Romans 8:29; Ephesians 1:3-12)
A person enters the plan of God at salvation by freely choosing to believe in Christ. After salvation, a believer may or may not continue in God’s plan. In either case, God does not predetermine who will or will not believe, or who will or will not fulfill His plan for them. That decision is always left up to the individual’s volition. (John 3:16-18)
Since God knows ahead of time exactly what we will or will not choose to do, He is able ahead of time to design a perfect plan for our life. Within the framework of God’s plan for believers is His directive will, His permissive will and His overruling will. All three impact the life of believers at different times and in different ways. In all cases, however, God is always working all things together for good for those who are advancing in the Christian Way of Life. (Romans 8:28)
Foreknowledge
God’s foreknowledge is often studied in connection with the Doctrine of Election. It is often erroneously stated that because God knew in advance who would believe in Christ and who would not, that He chose for salvation those that He knew would believe. Nothing could be further from the truth, and this is in fact false doctrine. (Romans 8:29)
Foreknowledge is part of God’s attribute of omniscience. God, of course, knows all the knowable and He has always known it. It was no surprise to God when you believed in Christ, but God did not force you to believe. Foreknowledge never determines what is going to be, it is the knowledge of what is going to be. Foreknowledge is an attribute; election is an act.
The foreknowledge of God makes nothing certain; it merely perceives what is certain. What God knows right now, He has always known. God even knows the possibilities, had we taken a different path in life. This does not, however, mean that God made all the choices for us; He leaves that up to us. Of course, God in His grace directs us, influences us, and when allowed, guides us to people, places, and circumstances.
Divine Decrees
God’s decrees must also be considered when studying the Doctrine of Election. God’s decrees are always certain, perfect, and unchangeable. God’s plan is always perfect. Only man is imperfect. Some decrees God chooses to carry out Himself. We call these decrees “immediate,” which include things such as Creation. God created time, space, and a place for mankind to live. He chose not to delegate this act to another, like angels. God decreed that all believers in this age would become Royal Family of God. God’s decrees never change; they are always certain.
All of God’s decrees are given in order to bring honor and glory to Himself. All decrees regarding you as a believer are designed by God for your maximum happiness and His eternal glory. Since God knows all of our thoughts, decisions, and actions, it only makes perfect, logical sense to allow Him to fully influence them. By allowing God to fully influence our thoughts, decisions, and actions we are assured of the proper execution of His perfect plan for us.
Think for a moment about all that God has done to reach you, to provide the necessary tools for your happiness, His patience and love, His grace and His blessings in your life. Do you really think that God would provide something for you that was less than perfect or something that would make you miserable or unhappy?
Colossians 3:12-17, “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience;bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. In addition to all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ, to which you were indeed called (elected) in one body, rule in your hearts; and be thankful. Let the Word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”