Theology of the Church, Mentor's Guide, MG03

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T H E O L O G Y O F T H E C H U R C H

through the Holy Spirit’s general call to salvation. Their perspective focuses upon human freedom and God’s grace being bestowed in some measure on all human beings, which allows us to respond to God’s free gift of grace. The so-called “Five Points of Calvinism” (TULIP) are a good summary of the Calvinist position, and a great way to note the distinctions between Calvinism and Arminianism. These points include the idea of total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace, and the perseverance of saints. Today, another alternative exists in theological discussions regarding unconditional election, it is called Universalism. A common view in liberal circles, this view purports that all humankind was included in God’s salvation work in Jesus Christ. All human beings are therefore God’s elect, and ultimately, all human beings will be saved in the end. Perhaps the most discussed view of this in theological circles relates to Karl Barth’s theology of election. Barth articulated a view that suggested that election from God is fundamentally christological (centered in the person of Jesus Christ). God does not select a group of individuals but Christ himself. He and he only is the elect one, and, correspondingly, he is the only one whom God rejected. Upon Christ fell reprobation, and now through his work, election falls upon all human beings. It is important to note here that whatever position one takes in regard to election, the concept is clear that God’s choice is not based on human works (Rom. 9.11). According to Ephesians 1.4-5, we are elected by God to be holy and blameless in his sight, adopted as children through Jesus Christ. It is not according to our efforts or will, but through the blood of Jesus Christ and in sync with the will of God himself (Eph. 1.7; John 1.12-13). Please emphasize with your students that God’s elective choice does not make missions and evangelism unnecessary, rather, it confirms it. God assuring us that those who repent and believe shall be saved does not cancel our responsibility to tell the world about Jesus and his love. God’s elective choice includes not only the salvation of God’s own, but includes the means by which these would be saved.

7 Page 89 Outline Point II-C-1

8 Page 92 Outline Point III-C