Election is not Selection

Thomas Paine's view of divine "election" of individuals is more appropriately "selection," as he himself indicated, for he not only used the word "select" but also demonstrated and defined what is meant by "selection," affirming that selection involves choosing the fittest object.

When one chooses an object based upon its merit or fitness, or superiority, he "selects." Often the word "elect" does mean all the same thing as "select," but not always. Elect means select when we speak of "electing" a president. Surely such an election or selection is based upon the perceived superior qualities of one over the other.

Is God's election of individuals to salvation a "selection"? Did he base his choice of individuals upon some superior quality in the ones chosen?

The Arminian view, which says God chose people on the basis of some superior quality in the people chosen, is nothing but "selection" and is not the way the bible pictures God's "election" of sinners "to salvation."

When the Lord explained his "election" of the Israelites, he said to them, through Moses, "The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt." (Deuteronomy 7: 7, 8 KJV)

God's "election" or "choice" of the Israelites was NOT a "selection"! God did not choose the fittest or worthiest, for all are equally unworthy. Only the Arminian views election in this manner.

The Arminian will not have God to act first and then the sinner react. No, he has the sinner first acting and then God reacts. Yet, the bible clearly teaches that God first acts in election and sovereign predestination, and then sinners react.

"We love him BECAUSE he FIRST loved us." (I John 2: 19)

But, the Arminian turns this around, and teaches "He loves us because we first loved him." How can he deny that this is his theology?

Does he not tell sinners that God chooses those who first choose him? Does he not reverse the scriptural order?

Election is not a hard doctrine to understand, but it is hard for the natural man to accept. It goes against his natural bias towards God, against the grain of his depraved nature.

Consider also how the viewing of election as selection also makes God to act as a "respecter of persons" in his choice of individuals. But, more on that in an upcoming article.