Romans 9, Predestination & Total Depravity

Definition:

 

Predestination: (as a doctrine in Christian theology) the divine foreordaining of all that will happen, esp. with regard to the salvation of some and not others. It has been particularly associated with the teachings of St. Augustine of Hippo and of Calvin.

 

Wikipedia:

 

Predestination, in theology, is the doctrine that all events have been willed by God. John Calvin interpreted biblical predestination to mean that God willed eternal damnation for some people and salvation for others. Explanations of predestination often seek to address the so-called "paradox of free will", whereby God's omniscience seems incompatible with human free will. In this usage, predestination can be regarded as a form of religious determinism; and usually predeterminism.

 

Theopedia:

 

Predestination in its broadest conception is the doctrine that because God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and completely sovereign, he "from all eternity did by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass," (Westminster Confession). "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will" (Ephesians 1:11).

 

The various predestination passages are a foundational aspect of the Calvinist paradigm. They are "compared" to almost every other passage marshalled forth in support of the Calvinist position. They are used to buttress the Calvinist interpretation of Romans 9 as well as the doctrine of Total Depravity, and vice-verse. 

 

When contending with Calvinists I have found that very often their argument, over the course of time, will prove to be circular. We might begin with Romans 9 and not come to agreement. Days or weeks later, we will be debating Ephesians 1 and the Calvinist will use Romans 9 as "proof", knowing that I hold a contrary position on Romans 9.

 

It is my position that an understanding of any text must be understood and supported from the immediate context FIRST, before any other text is marshalled forth in support.

 

Can the Calvinist interpretation of "chosen before the foundation of the world" of Ephesians 1 be supported from the immediate context? Let us see.

 

NEXT: Ephesians 1: Chosen Before the Foundation of the World