Dr Paul Allen

There is a verse that crops up frequently in a question from those who are exploring the Scriptural teaching that God elects who will be saved. This doctrine logically and disconcertingly means that some are not chosen. Usually, the objection to this teaching is an emotional one: “How can God choose some and not all? That’s unfair for those not chosen, that makes us who are chosen robots without free will, and that takes away our responsibility and lays it squarely on God.” That’s a natural response. In fact, it is exactly what Paul says you will think if you understand what he is teaching (see Romans 9:10-24, “you will say to me…”). But even after the objector has submitted his emotion to what he sees the Bible clearly teaches, there are still a few Scriptures that need explanation. Assuming Paul contradicts neither himself nor John (John 1:13) nor the words of Jesus (Matthew 13:10-12; John 6:44), then what does Paul mean by this statement: “…God our Savior, who desires all people ...

In Romans 9, Paul discusses God’s absolute freedom in His saving purposes. He uses the illustration of the twins, Jacob and Esau, stating that God’s choice of Jacob over Esau had nothing to do with either of them. Rather, God chose “so that [His] purpose according to His choice would stand.” This choice was “not because of works but because of Him who calls” (Rom 9:11). He goes on to say that salvation “does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy” (Rom 9:16), and then supports that claim by referring to God’s hardening of Pharaoh’s heart for the expressed purpose of demonstrating His power and proclaiming His name through the events that followed (Rom 9:17; cf. Exod 9:16). Paul then summarizes his point by declaring: “So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires” (Rom 9:18). Then, Paul anticipates an objection: “You will say to me, then, ‘Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?’” First, let us under...