Insider - Election

A Deep Dive in Search of Clarity of Conscience

To seek the doctrine of election (Erwählung), predestination (Vorsehung), the crux theologorum (the theologian’s cross), and reprobation (Verwerfung) in the best possible American English, I begin with as study of the German Lutheran biblical language on the matter, drawing from Luther, the Formula of Concord, the Luther Bible (1545), and solid confessional sources, preserving high biblio-Germanic clarity.

I. Die Lehre der Erwählung und Vorsehung

(The Doctrine of Election and Predestination)

Best German Lutheran Expression

“Die ewige Erwählung Gottes ist kein blinder Zufall, noch eine kalte Berechnung, sondern das gnädige Herz des himmlischen Vaters, der vor Grundlegung der Welt beschlossen hat, Sünder durch Christus selig zu machen. Diese Wahl geschieht nicht um unserer Werke willen, sondern aus lauter Gnade durch den Glauben an das Evangelium. Denn geschrieben steht: ‘Gott hat uns erwählt in Christus, ehe der Welt Grund gelegt war.’” (Epheser 1,4)

Interlinear English Rendering

“The eternal election of God is not blind chance, nor a cold calculation, but the gracious heart of the heavenly Father, who before the foundation of the world resolved to save sinners through Christ. This election does not happen on account of our works, but out of pure grace through faith in the Gospel. For it is written: ‘God has chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world.’” (Ephesians 1:4)

II. Crux Theologorum – Das Kreuz der Theologen

(The Theologian’s Cross: The Mystery of Election and Reprobation)

Best German Lutheran Expression

“Das höchste Kreuz der Theologie bleibt, warum einige gerufen werden und glauben, andere aber verstockt bleiben. Denn die Schrift bezeugt beides: ‘Es ist nicht des Laufenden noch des Wollenden, sondern des erbarmenden Gottes.’ (Römer 9,16) Und doch spricht derselbe Herr: ‘Ich habe kein Gefallen am Tode des Gottlosen.’ (Hesekiel 33,11). Die Erwählung geschieht in Christus, und sie ist gewiß. Aber warum viele nicht glauben, ist verborgen im gerechten Gericht Gottes. Hier muß der Mensch schweigen und sich an das offenbarte Evangelium halten.”

Interlinear English Rendering

“The highest cross of theology remains: why some are called and believe, while others remain hardened. For Scripture testifies to both: ‘It is not of him who runs nor of him who wills, but of God who has mercy.’ (Romans 9:16). And yet the same Lord says: ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.’ (Ezekiel 33:11). Election happens in Christ, and it is certain. But why many do not believe remains hidden in the righteous judgment of God. Here man must remain silent and hold fast to the revealed Gospel.”

III. Die Verwerfung: Was über die Verdammnis zu sagen ist

(Reprobation: What Can Be Said About Damnation?)

Best German Lutheran Expression

“Die Heilige Schrift lehrt keine doppelte Prädestination, als ob Gott einige zur Verdammnis geschaffen hätte, sondern spricht klar: ‘Gott will, daß allen Menschen geholfen werde und sie zur Erkenntnis der Wahrheit kommen.’ (1 Timotheus 2,4). Die Verwerfung geschieht nicht, weil Gott den Menschen zur Verdammnis erschaffen hätte, sondern weil der Mensch in seinem Unglauben bleibt. Christus spricht: ‘Ich wollte euch versammeln, aber ihr habt nicht gewollt.’ (Matthäus 23,37). Die Verdammnis ist die eigene Schuld des verstockten Herzens.”

Interlinear English Rendering

“Holy Scripture does not teach double predestination, as if God had created some for damnation, but speaks clearly: ‘God wills that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.’ (1 Timothy 2:4). Reprobation happens not because God created man for damnation, but because man remains in his unbelief. Christ says: ‘I would have gathered you, but you would not.’ (Matthew 23:37). Damnation is the own fault of the hardened heart.”

IV. Zusammenfassung

(Summary of the Doctrine According to the Lutheran Confessions)

1. Erwählung (Election): God’s election is in Christ, from eternity, by grace alone, through faith alone (Ephesians 1:4).

2. Vorsehung (Predestination): The elect are predestined to eternal life, but the reprobate are not predestined to damnation (Romans 8:29-30).

3. Crux Theologorum: Why some believe and others do not is a divine mystery, but we must cling to the revealed will of God in Christ (Romans 9:16, Ezekiel 33:11).

4. Verwerfung (Reprobation): Damnation is not God’s predestined will but the just consequence of unbelief (1 Timothy 2:4, Matthew 23:37).

More from the Formula of Concord XI

To present the Lutheran doctrine of election and reprobation with further theological precision, we expand upon Article XI of the Formula of Concord (FC XI: “De Aeterno Praedestinationis et Electionis Articulo”), integrating it with the best German biblical language and key Scripture passages. This will clarify the Lutheran distinction between election in Christ (Erwählung in Christo), the crux theologorum (das Kreuz der Theologen), and reprobation (Verwerfung), showing how the Confessions reject both Calvinistic double predestination and synergistic Arminianism.

I. The Ground of Election: Erwählung in Christo

Best German Lutheran Expression (FC XI, 3-5; 9-11)

“Die ewige Erwählung Gottes geschieht nicht ohne oder außerhalb Christi, sondern nur in Ihm, denn geschrieben steht: ‘Er hat uns in Christus erwählt vor Grundlegung der Welt’ (Epheser 1,4). Diese Wahl ist keine blinde Vorherbestimmung, sondern der gnädige, väterliche Wille Gottes, durch das Evangelium einige aus dem verlorenen Geschlecht Adams zu retten. Denn der Vater hat den Sohn gesandt, ‘daß alle, die an Ihn glauben, nicht verloren werden, sondern das ewige Leben haben.’ (Johannes 3,16).”

Interlinear English Rendering

“The eternal election of God does not happen without or outside of Christ, but only in Him, for it is written: ‘He has chosen us in Christ before the foundation of the world’ (Ephesians 1:4). This election is not a blind predestination but the gracious, fatherly will of God to save some from the lost race of Adam through the Gospel. For the Father has sent the Son, ‘that all who believe in Him should not perish but have eternal life.’ (John 3:16).”

Key Points from FC XI:

• Election is always in Christ (Epheser 1,4).

• It is not an arbitrary decree but God’s will that sinners be saved (Johannes 3,16).

• The chosen are those who are brought to faith through the Gospel.

II. The Crux Theologorum: The Hidden and Revealed Will of God

Best German Lutheran Expression (FC XI, 52-54)

“Warum einige gläubig werden und andere verstockt bleiben, das ist das höchste Geheimnis, das unser Verstand nicht ergründen kann. Denn die Schrift spricht: ‘Es ist nicht des Wollenden noch des Laufenden, sondern des erbarmenden Gottes.’ (Römer 9,16). Doch verbietet sie uns zu denken, daß Gott den Unglauben gewollt hätte, denn der Herr selbst sagt: ‘Ich habe kein Gefallen am Tode des Gottlosen.’ (Hesekiel 33,11). Hier müssen wir schweigen, das Evangelium festhalten und Christus vertrauen.”

Interlinear English Rendering

“Why some come to faith and others remain hardened is the highest mystery, which our reason cannot comprehend. For Scripture says: ‘It is not of him who wills nor of him who runs, but of God who has mercy.’ (Romans 9:16). Yet it forbids us from thinking that God has willed unbelief, for the Lord Himself says: ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.’ (Ezekiel 33:11). Here we must remain silent, hold fast to the Gospel, and trust in Christ.”

Key Points from FC XI:

• The mystery of why some believe and others do not is beyond human comprehension (Römer 9,16).

• We cannot conclude that God desires unbelief (Hesekiel 33,11).

• The Lutheran stance is neither Calvinistic determinism nor Arminian synergism, but a humble acceptance of the hiddenness of divine judgment.

III. Reprobation: The Confessional Rejection of Double Predestination

Best German Lutheran Expression (FC XI, 12-15, 77-79)

“Die Heilige Schrift kennt keine zweifache Prädestination, sondern lehrt, daß ‘Gott will, daß allen Menschen geholfen werde und sie zur Erkenntnis der Wahrheit kommen.’ (1 Timotheus 2,4). Verdammnis geschieht nicht aus einem göttlichen Ratschluß, sondern weil der Mensch in seinem Unglauben bleibt. Unser Herr Christus spricht: ‘Ich wollte euch versammeln, aber ihr habt nicht gewollt.’ (Matthäus 23,37). Gott ist nicht der Urheber des Unglaubens, sondern des Lebens.”

Interlinear English Rendering

“Holy Scripture knows no double predestination, but teaches that ‘God wills that all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.’ (1 Timothy 2:4). Damnation does not happen by divine decree but because man remains in his unbelief. Our Lord Christ says: ‘I would have gathered you, but you would not.’ (Matthew 23:37). God is not the author of unbelief, but of life.”

Key Points from FC XI:

• God does not will anyone’s damnation (1 Timotheus 2,4).

• Damnation occurs due to human unbelief, not divine predestination (Matthäus 23,37).

• Reprobation is the consequence of rejecting grace, not a prior decree.

The “Lutheran” Take

Zusammenfassung vs. Calvinism and Arminianism

Lutheran Stance (FC XI, Summary):

✅ Election is in Christ (Epheser 1,4).

✅ Faith is God’s gift, but rejection is man’s doing (Matthäus 23,37).

✅ Predestination concerns the elect, not the reprobate (1 Timotheus 2,4).

✅ God’s will is revealed in Christ, not in speculation (Johannes 3,16).

❌ Calvinistic Double Predestination (which claims God ordains both salvation and damnation).

❌ Arminian Synergism (which claims human free will is the deciding factor in salvation).

❌ Speculative Theology (which attempts to solve the mystery beyond what God has revealed).

Martin Luther, in his Bondage of the Will and Sermon on the Gospel, ultimately points to Christ as the certainty of election:

Best German Lutheran Expression (Luther, WA 10.3, 17f.)

“Wenn du wissen willst, ob du erwählt bist, so schau nicht in Gottes verborgenen Ratschluß, sondern halte dich an Christus, in dem alle Erwählung geschieht. Wer Christus hat, hat die Erwählung; wer Ihn nicht hat, der hat sie nicht.”

Interlinear English Rendering

“If you want to know whether you are elect, do not look into God’s hidden counsel, but hold fast to Christ, in whom all election happens. He who has Christ has election; he who does not have Him does not have it.”

Lutheran theology, following Formula of Concord XI, offers neither a God of blind fatalism nor a theology of anxious self-determination. Instead, it teaches that election is found in Christ alone, that faith is a gift, and that unbelief is the fault of man, not a decree of God.

We do not solve the crux theologorum—we bow before it. We do not seek assurance in speculation, but in the wounds of Christ.

The Election of Grace is Found in Christ Alone

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” (John 10:27-30)

Jesus alone is the source and certainty of election. No one is elect outside of Him, and no one is reprobate apart from rejecting Him. All who hear and follow His voice are safe in the Father’s will.

I. What is the Will of the Father in Election?

Jesus said:

“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:40)

What does this mean?

The Father’s will is not hidden from us. He desires that all would behold the Son and believe in Him for eternal life. The doctrine of election is not about an unknown decree, but about Christ revealed.

II. Does God Predestine Some to Be Lost?

Jesus said:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37)

What does this mean?

The Father does not predestine anyone to be lost. Christ Himself weeps over those who reject Him. His desire is to gather, to save, to restore. But many refuse. Reprobation is not a decree from God—it is the hardening of man against God.

III. If Election is by Grace, Why Do Some Not Believe?

Jesus said:

“Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.” (John 8:43-44)

What does this mean?

Unbelief is not God’s doing but the work of Satan and the willful rejection of the truth. Those who will not hear Christ’s Word remain under the devil’s dominion. Their reprobation is not a divine sentence, but their own enslavement to sin and lies.

IV. Who Are the Elect?

Jesus said:

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain.” (John 15:16)

Jesus said:

“All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out.” (John 6:37)

What does this mean?

The elect are those whom Christ has chosen—not for any merit in themselves, but for His own gracious will. Yet this election does not exclude others, for all who come to Christ are received by Him. The elect are those who abide in Him.

V. What is the Mystery of Election?

Jesus said:

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:44)

Jesus said:

“Many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)

What does this mean?

Faith is a gift of the Father, who draws people to Christ. Yet many resist and reject His call. The doctrine of election is a mystery because it holds together two truths: No one comes to Christ unless drawn by the Father, yet those who are lost have only themselves to blame.

VI. Can the Elect Be Lost?

Jesus said:

“This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.” (John 6:39)

Jesus said:

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:4)

What does this mean?

No one can snatch the elect from Christ’s hand. Yet, faith must abide in Christ—not as a work of man, but as the life of the branch in the vine. Those who fall away do so not because they were not elect, but because they have cut themselves off from Christ, who alone is life.

VII. What Comfort Does Election Give?

Jesus said:

“Rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” (Luke 10:20)

Jesus said:

“Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32)

What does this mean?

The doctrine of election is not meant for speculation or anxiety, but for joy and confidence. Christ has written the names of His own in heaven—not in uncertainty, but in His unchanging love. The Father’s delight is to give us the Kingdom.

VIII. How Should We Respond to the Mystery of Election?

Jesus said:

“Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” (Luke 13:24)

Jesus said:

“Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” (Matthew 24:42)

What does this mean?

The call of Christ is urgent. Election is not an excuse for sloth or presumption. Those who belong to Christ listen to His voice, follow Him, and remain in Him. The elect live watchfully, prayerfully, and faithfully, trusting in His grace alone.

IX. What is the Final Word on Election?

Jesus said:

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me.” (John 17:24)

What does this mean?

The doctrine of election is not about abstract decrees, but Christ’s personal desire to bring His own into eternal communion with Him. Those who are His will see His glory—not because of their own striving, but because He has loved them from before the foundation of the world.

Conclusion: The Final Answer to the Theologian’s Cross

The crux theologorum—the mystery of why some believe and others do not—is never answered by human speculation, but by Christ alone.

• He calls all to Himself (John 12:32).

• He weeps over the lost (Luke 19:41).

• He keeps those who are His (John 10:28).

• He desires all to be with Him in glory (John 17:24).

So where is your election?

It is not found in the hidden decrees of God. It is found in Christ alone.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

Patristic Reflections on the Words of Jesus

The Church Fathers did not approach election as a speculative doctrine detached from Christ, but as a living reality found in Him. They read Jesus’ words not as an abstract system, but as the voice of the Shepherd calling His sheep. For them, election is not an impersonal decree, but a personal invitation—a call to repentance, faith, and perseverance in Christ.

In what follows, the Fathers will exposit the very words of Jesus on election, predestination, reprobation, and perseverance. Their interpretations, drawn from the earliest centuries of the Church, will illuminate how the Church has always understood this great mystery.

I. The Father’s Will in Election: The Call of Christ is Universal, but Salvation is in Him Alone

Jesus said:

“This is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:40)

Patristic Reflection

🕊 Cyril of Alexandria (d. 444): “The will of the Father is that all should be saved, yet this is not fulfilled in all, for not all obey. But those who behold the Son with the eyes of faith, these He raises up. If it were by necessity and not by faith, why then would Christ call us to believe?” (Commentary on John, Book IV)

🕊 Ambrose of Milan (d. 397): “Election is not an arbitrary act of God, nor is salvation forced upon any, but it is through faith in Christ that we are numbered among the elect. He does not say, ‘I shall raise up all indiscriminately,’ but ‘everyone who believes.’” (Exposition of Luke, 7.168)

🕊 Irenaeus of Lyons (d. 202): “From the beginning, God ordained that all who belong to Christ shall live, for He is the life. But those who reject Him make themselves strangers to life, and thus they perish—not by divine decree, but by their own doing.” (Against Heresies, 4.29.2)

Summary:

• The Fathers affirm the universality of God’s saving will—but also the necessity of faith.

• The elect are those who see and believe in the Son.

• Reprobation is not a decree of God, but the willful rejection of Christ.

II. Reprobation: The Unwillingness of the Hardened Heart

Jesus said:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” (Matthew 23:37)

Patristic Reflection

🕊 John Chrysostom (d. 407): “Christ does not say, ‘I have rejected you,’ but ‘you were not willing.’ The blame is not on God, but on their own resistance. If election were a rigid fate, what need would there be for tears? He weeps because their destruction is self-chosen.” (Homilies on Matthew, 74.2)

🕊 Augustine of Hippo (d. 430): “God does not harden anyone by imparting wickedness, but by withholding grace from the proud. He forsakes only those who first forsake Him.” (Tractates on John, 53.6)

🕊 Clement of Alexandria (d. 215): “Christ would gather all, but not all desire to be gathered. For just as a physician is not to be blamed if the sick refuse his medicine, so also God is just if He allows men to remain in their self-chosen blindness.” (Stromata, 6.14)

Summary:

• Reprobation is not a predestined decree, but a self-willed rejection of Christ.

• Christ’s tears refute any notion of double predestination—for He grieves over those who resist Him.

• God does not harden the willing, but abandons the unwilling to their own hardness.

III. The Mystery of Why Some Believe and Others Do Not: The Theologian’s Cross

Jesus said:

“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:44)

Patristic Reflection

🕊 Origen (d. 253): “The drawing of the Father is not by compulsion, nor by irresistible force, but by persuasion and love. He illumines the mind with truth, yet not all choose to receive it. Those who yield to His call are the elect.” (Commentary on John, 20.20)

🕊 Gregory of Nyssa (d. 395): “The Father draws us not as chains drag a prisoner, but as the sun draws forth life from the earth. He calls all, yet only those who open themselves to His light are transformed by it.” (Against Eunomius, 3.9)

🕊 Leo the Great (d. 461): “Some resist the Father’s drawing, closing their ears to His call. Yet those whom He foreknew would answer, these He predestined to life—not by force, but by grace.” (Sermon 67)

Summary:

• The Father draws all, but not all respond.

• Election is by grace, yet never by compulsion.

• Predestination is to be understood in light of divine foreknowledge—that God elects those whom He foresees will yield to His call.

IV. Can the Elect Fall Away? The Necessity of Perseverance

Jesus said:

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” (John 15:4)

Patristic Reflection

🕊 Cyprian of Carthage (d. 258): “It is not enough to be called; one must remain. As branches broken from the tree wither and die, so also those who do not persevere are cut off from salvation.” (On the Unity of the Church, 23)

🕊 Basil the Great (d. 379): “God has promised to keep those who are His, but He does not keep them apart from their will. We must abide in Him, lest by our own negligence we fall away.” (Homily on Psalm 33)

🕊 Athanasius (d. 373): “The elect are those who remain in Christ. It is foolishness to say that one cannot fall, when even the angels who stood in glory did not keep their station.” (Against the Arians, 2.66)

Summary:

• Election is real, but it requires perseverance.

• The elect are not those who merely begin the race, but those who finish it.

• To abide in Christ is the means of security; to fall from Him is to be lost.

Final Summary: The Patristic Doctrine of Election in Christ

1. Election is in Christ alone. (Cyril, Ambrose, Irenaeus)

2. God does not predestine anyone to be lost. (Chrysostom, Clement, Augustine)

3. Faith is a gift, yet it must be received. (Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, Leo)

4. The elect must persevere in Christ. (Cyprian, Basil, Athanasius)

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