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The Error of “Basing Election on Human Action” -- Rejection of Errors, First Head of Doctrine, Canons of Dort (Five)

Having set forth the orthodox teaching concerning election and reprobation, the Synod rejects the errors of those . . .

V. Who teach that the incomplete and nonperemptory* election of particular persons to salvation occurred on the basis of a foreseen faith, repentance, holiness, and godliness, which has just begun or continued for some time; but that complete and peremptory election occurred on the basis of a foreseen perseverance to the end in faith, repentance, holiness, and godliness. And that this is the gracious and evangelical worthiness, on account of which the one who is chosen is more worthy than the one who is not chosen. And therefore that faith, the obedience of faith, holiness, godliness, and perseverance are not fruits or effects of an unchangeable election to glory, but indispensable conditions and causes, which are prerequisite in those who are to be chosen in the complete election, and which are foreseen as achieved in them.

This runs counter to the entire Scripture, which throughout impresses upon our ears and hearts these sayings among others: Election is not by works, but by him who calls (Rom. 9:11-12); All who were appointed for eternal life believed (Acts 13:48); He chose us in himself so that we should be holy (Eph. 1:4); You did not choose me, but I chose you (John 15:16); If by grace, not by works (Rom. 11:6); In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son (1 John 4:10).

nonperemptory: not completed immediately and finally, used here of God’s decree

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At this point, the authors of the Canons are responding to one of the more technical forms of Arminianism, then prevalent in the Netherlands. Here again, the primary error to be refuted is the attempt to locate the ground, or basis, for God’s election in a free action of the creature to which God responds. In this particular species of Arminianism, it was argued that God elected to save those who will believe the gospel and who will persevere in faith to the end. God’s decree is therefore a general decree to save those who do, in fact, believe, repent, and live in holiness before God.

To read the rest, follow the link below

The Canons of DortKim RiddlebargerNovember 24, 2023Election Unchangable, Election not based on foreknowledgeComment

"Election Unchangeable" -- Article Eleven, First Head of Doctrine, Canons of Dort

Article 11: Election Unchangeable

Just as God himself is most wise, unchangeable, all-knowing, and almighty, so the election made by him can neither be suspended nor altered, revoked, or annulled; neither can his chosen ones be cast off, nor their number reduced.

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The synod appeals to the fact that God is immutable (unchanging) in both his being and his purpose. Therefore his decree of election is likewise unchanging. We know this to be the case because election is based solely upon God’s good pleasure and purpose, and occurs, as Paul says, “before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4). This means the full number of the elect is unchangeable.

This is an important point because it affirms that God does not change his mind or his purpose once his decree is executed as it unfolds in time and space. God does not add to the number of the elect when he sees someone doing something good he did not expect. Nor does God subtract from the number of the elect when one of those whom he has chosen happens to fall into sin. All of God’s elect will come to saving faith in Jesus Christ. This is God’s purpose in Christ (Ephesians 1:3-14; Romans 8:28-30) and it does not (indeed, cannot change).

The knowledge of this fact should give us great comfort because it means that no one who is presently numbered among the elect can fall away and be lost. Jesus clearly affirms this to be the case when he says “all that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out” (John 6:37). God is not capricious nor does he change his mind. This means that if we are truly in Christ at this moment, we can be assured that we will die in Christ, because he will never leave nor forsake us. We cannot simply slip through his fingers. Nor will he cast us away on a whim or in a moment of anger.

As Paul reminds the Philippians, “and I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). Indeed, the Good Shepherd reminds us, “my sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will 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 the Father's hand. I and the Father are one” (John 10:27-30).

Just think of where we would be if God's decree was not immutable . . .

The Canons of DortKim RiddlebargerMay 8, 2023Election UnchangableComment