NCC 27

Question 27 Are all people, just as they were lost through Adam, saved through Christ?

No, only those who are elected by God and united to Christ by faith. Nevertheless God in his mercy demonstrates common grace even to those who are not elect, by restraining the effects of sin and enabling works of culture for human well-being.

Romans 5:17

For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

Election.......this is big concept that is objectionable to many...

First, is the issue of election a primary or secondary issue?

Trick question.

The fact is that God elects. The question is on what basis does he do so.

I think the fact of election is crystal clear. I think the basis of why/how he does so is a secondary issue. So if someone has a different take on it than I, will I count him as an unbeliever? no.

Let me say something about labels for a moment.

I don’t like them. People want to wear Calvinist, or Arminian, or Reformed, or whatever like a badge of some kind.

Some labels are helpful, in that they communicate in a shorthand manner what someone might believe, but when you start to call that label after a man, I get really uncomfortable because I feel like Paul directly addresses that in 1 Cor

“I’m of Paul, I’m of Apollos, I’m of Cephas, I’m of Christ”

I’m of Calvin, I’m of Arminius....

So that bothers me. But, nevertheless, these doctrines have come under these labels.

To which I say, what does the text say. Forget about Calvin, forget about Arminius, what does the Bible say. Forget about what I want it to say, what does it say.