Q
Paul serves up a big plate of predestination in Ephesians 1, or so it seems to many Christians. Paul says “God
chose us. Even before he created the world, he decided that we should be his children” (1:4). Who do you think
Paul was talking about? People destined by God to become Christians? Or all people everywhere, whom God invited
into his family?
A
There’s a debate regarding how much free will human beings actually have when it’s compared to God’s
sovereign power over people. Many Christians follow in the theological tradition of Anglican preacher John
Wesley (1703-1791, United Kingdom), insisting that God chooses everyone for salvation but that not everyone
accepts the invitation. Churches that emphasize this kind of free will include the United Methodist Church,
Salvation Army, Church of the Nazarene, and the Wesleyan Church. Other Christians follow in the theological
tradition of French theologian and pastor John Calvin (1509-1564). He argued that God himself decides who
will be saved and who will not be saved. Churches that teach this understanding include many Baptists, Presbyterians,
and many nondenominational congregations.
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You did not answer the question. A non-Christian could have given your answer. The question stated “who do you think …”. Which view is correct in light of Paul’s other writings? Was Calvin right that each man has no free will with regard to his salvation?
Let me see if I can be a bit more direct for you. The Bible seems to teach both. And Christians seem to believe both. That’s why many Christians say they believe one thing. And that’s why many Christians say they believe the other. What I think is that we should love God and love our neighbor as we love ourselves.
If we had selective free will then Adam would have never eaten the fruit from the Tree Of Life. It just would not be in his nature to do so. I believe salvation is for everyone but God knows who will accept the gift and who will not.