Part of the problem with Calvie interpretations of Romans 9 is they flow from a mind that has read the scriptures through Calvin and Augustine rather than Paul or 1st century Jews and Christians. From Romans it should be noted that Paul interprets Old Testament covenantal questions. Who are the true heirs to the Promise (Rom 9:8; Gal 3:29)? Who are the true people of God? Who is Israel? It is Paul who delivers the verdict when he broadens the scope of election. It is not only ethnic Israel, whom Christ came to redeem, but all of humanity. In other words, Paul is broadening the scope of election here to include all kinds of people, Jew and Gentile. One of Paul’s well known arguments is predestination. Simply paraphrased, don’t think you’re special because of your ancestry, you were predestined anyway. God has always planned to reconcile men who would believe unto himself. Yes! Even before the foundations of the earth. The thought that Paul is discussing God's decision to save only some is completely absurd and fails recognize a broader context. Paul is explaining the covenantal promises of God. It's the Gospel in full effect! Predestination is by no means exclusive but radically inclusive in that God wants all men to be saved!
It's slightly puzzling to me that as concerned as Calvinists are with exegesis, that when I link to an Arminian exegesis of their leading proof text, they don't respond.
Thomas Schreiner, "Does Romans 9 Teach Individual Election to Salvation?" in The Grace of God, the Bondage of the Will (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 1995), ed. Thomas Schreiner and Bruce Ware, p. 91.
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Part of the problem with Calvie interpretations of Romans 9 is they flow from a mind that has read the scriptures through Calvin and Augustine rather than Paul or 1st century Jews and Christians. From Romans it should be noted that Paul interprets Old Testament covenantal questions. Who are the true heirs to the Promise (Rom 9:8; Gal 3:29)? Who are the true people of God? Who is Israel? It is Paul who delivers the verdict when he broadens the scope of election. It is not only ethnic Israel, whom Christ came to redeem, but all of humanity. In other words, Paul is broadening the scope of election here to include all kinds of people, Jew and Gentile. One of Paul’s well known arguments is predestination. Simply paraphrased, don’t think you’re special because of your ancestry, you were predestined anyway. God has always planned to reconcile men who would believe unto himself. Yes! Even before the foundations of the earth. The thought that Paul is discussing God's decision to save only some is completely absurd and fails recognize a broader context. Paul is explaining the covenantal promises of God. It's the Gospel in full effect! Predestination is by no means exclusive but radically inclusive in that God wants all men to be saved!
It's slightly puzzling to me that as concerned as Calvinists are with exegesis, that when I link to an Arminian exegesis of their leading proof text, they don't respond.
http://www.glenwoodhills.org/etc/printer-friendly.asp?ID=423
http://www.mslick.com/romans9c.htm
http://greenbaggins.wordpress.com/2006/05/02/election-in-romans-9-2/
http://www.monergism.com/directory/link_category/Election/Election-Individual-Vs-Corporate/
http://www.reformedreader.org/ieRom9.htm
Thomas Schreiner, "Does Romans 9 Teach Individual Election to Salvation?" in The Grace of God, the Bondage of the Will (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 1995), ed. Thomas Schreiner and Bruce Ware, p. 91.
http://triablogue.blogspot.com/2008/04/puzzled.html
:-)
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