Election

Election in Christian Theology

• Election refers to the Christian belief that God has chosen certain individuals for salvation before the creation of the world.
• It is an integral part of predestination, the doctrine that events are foreordained by God’s decree or foreknowledge.
• Election is found in Pauline letters where St. Paul suggests the notion of being ‘chosen’ by God (Romans 8:29-30, Ephesians 1:3-6).

Different Interpretations of Election

• Unconditional Election: The Calvinist view asserts that God’s election is based solely on His sovereign will, not on any merit or faith in the individual.
• Conditional Election: The Arminian perspective counters that God’s election is conditional on an individual’s free response to God’s grace.

Election and the Afterlife

• The belief in election profoundly shapes Christian understanding of the afterlife since salvation is viewed as God’s gift to the ‘elect’.
• It highlights a theological tension regarding God’s sovereignty and human free will, offering different answers to the question of who goes to heaven or hell.

Impact of Election on Christian Practise

• The doctrine of election can result in a strong sense of community among the elect, as they share the special status of being chosen by God.
• Conversely, it may also cause anxiety or despair over uncertainties about one’s election, as seen in the Puritan concept of ‘fear of the Lord’s wrath’.

Election in Other Religious Traditions

• Election finds parallels in Judaism, where the concept of the Jews as God’s chosen people holds a central place.
• In Islam, the notion of God’s elect is portrayed through the prophets and martyrs who earn a special status in the afterlife.