All tagged Romans

Romans 9. If not Predestination, what then?

Romans 9. If not Predestination, what then?

Garrett Jones
Catharsis: Predestination

Romans 9 has intimidated more believers regarding predestination than probably any other passage in Scripture. Romans 9:18-21 “Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use.” (NIV)

Inclusiveness—Not Chosenness—is the theme of the New Testament.

Inclusiveness—Not Chosenness—is the theme of the New Testament.

Garrett Jones
Catharsis: Predestination

At first glance, Romans 8:29,30 seems to say, “God first chose you to be conformed to the image of Christ, then he called you, then he made you righteous and then he glorified you.” Chosen, called, saved, glorified—in that order—for each individual person. So, this proves that if Joe was not first chosen, then he cannot be called, saved and glorified. Right? Not quite.