Romans: Theology for Everybody (6-11)Sample

Some people turn from sin to Jesus for eternal salvation while others remain in sin away from Jesus for eternal damnation.  

Why? 

One clue in Scripture is the frequent use of words that, in their Old Testament context, indicate God chooses some people to be saved, such as plan (1), purpose (2), and choose (3). Likewise, the New Testament uses a constellation of words, such as predestine (4), elect (5), choose (6), and appointed (7), to speak of God’s choosing to save some people but not all people. 

The question that logically follows is: Why are some people saved by God and not others? Is it because they do not choose God, or because God did not choose them? 

This leads to the topic of predestination. By predestination we are asking, is a person’s eternal destiny chosen by God before their birth? Does God predestine people to heaven? Does God predestine people to hell? Theologian Millard Erickson clarifies the applicable theological terms: “Predestination” refers to God’s choice of individuals for eternal life or eternal death. “Election” is the selection of some for eternal life, the positive side of predestination (8). 

The basic difference between Reformed and Arminian Christians is their belief about salvation. This big issue of how someone enters into relationship with God is connected to numerous related issues, such as whether a Christian can lose his or her relationship with God and how a Christian grows in relationship with God. Simply put, this is no small matter, theologically or practically. 

Synergism is the belief that, in varying degrees (depending on who is advocating this position), God and man work together in the process of saving a sinner (justification). Conversely, monergism is the belief that God alone works for our justification and we play no part whatsoever in our salvation. Think of it this way: Does God reach down to grab sinners and save them solely by the work of his hand (monergism), or do sinners also reach up and grab God’s hand if they are to be rescued (synergism)? Is salvation one-handed (God alone) or two-handed (God and us)? 

There are now, broadly speaking, two general Christian schools of thought regarding salvation in general and predestination in particular. These schools follow the teachings of either John Calvin or Jacob Arminius. They are called Reformed (Calvinists) or Arminians, respectively. These and other related issues are at the heart of the debate surrounding Romans 9.

Reflection:

1. Do you truly share Paul’s heart for lost people to meet Jesus Christ that is on display in Romans 9:1-5?

2. Since people who differ on this issue will live together peaceably in Heaven, why is it important to unite around primary issues without dividing over secondary issues? 

Notes:

1. Jer. 49:20; 50:45; Mic. 4:12

2. Isa. 14:24, 26–27; 19:12; 23:9

3. Num. 16:5, 7; Deut. 4:37, 10:15; Isa. 41:8; Ezek. 20:5

4. Rom. 8:29–30; Eph. 1:5, 11

5. Matt. 24:22; Rom. 8:33; Col. 3:12

6. 1 Cor. 1:27; Eph. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13

7. Acts 13:48

8. Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House, 1998), 921.