Invitation or Election

Long has been the debate between supporters of John Calvin's doctrines and those of Joseph Arminius—election vs free will.

But is it an either/or debate?

What if both are correct but dependent on the recipient?

If you read my article "Of Covenants and Favour," you will see that I present the concept of giving greater attention to the audience as the key to understanding the message and correct doctrine.

After reading that article, consider that God's relationship with the children of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (hereafter Israel) has always been based on God's selection or election of that family over all others as His elect, under covenant and in special favour.

In this vane, those not of Israel have a different relationship with God based on invitation, the offer and choice to accept the gift of salvation based on Christ's sacrifice (Christian Gentiles). Sin must be paid for—either by our death or by His.

The relationship between God and the sons of Israel is based on a covenant or contract, while that of the Christian Gentiles is based on an invitation—"whosoever will may come."

In the same way that God chose, selected, yes, elected, Abraham over all others, Isaac over Ishmael, Israel over Esau, Elijah's remnant, David over his brothers, Gideon over the others, the disciples, etc., He has chosen, selected, yes, elected 144,000 from some of the tribes of Israel in Revelation.

John Calvin is correct when his teaching is applied to the sons of Israel.

Because God's contract with the sons of Israel is an everlasting exclusive contract, He cannot make a similar contract with the Gentiles. For that reason, and because of Israel's temporary breach of contract, there exists an open, time-limited invitation to partake of salvation to whoever "wills" to accept the invitation.

Joseph Arminius is correct when his teaching is applied to all who are not sons of Israel.

Both doctrines—Election and Free will are biblically correct when rightly applied. Both are wrong when incorrectly applied.

©2018, Dr Steven Bydeley, a man.

All publishing rights reserved. Permission is herewith granted to reprint this article for personal use and to link or refer to it; however, no commercial re-publishing of the material in this article is permitted without prior written consent.

Steven is the author of Fathered by God and, with his wife Dianne, co-author of Dream Dreams and Dreams the Heal and Counsel. They have been guests on the Miracle Channel, Trinity Television, and Crossroads Communication, and has taught internationally on various topics.

Without Prejudice. © 2024, Steven., house of bij de Leij., of man.