It is a Calvinist sounding passage to be sure. Here’s the passage:  Romans 8:28-30: And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God,…, Click on the attachment: Golden Chain or Iron Padlock (Reasoner), February 24, 2021, Jon Gossman, No Comment, February 22, 2021, Martin Glynn, No Comment, February 19, 2021, Martin Glynn, No Comment, February 18, 2021, Remonstrance, No Comment, Copyright © 2013  |  Not willing that any should perish, William Lane Craig, Defenders Podcast on Salvation, Part #4, William Lane Craig, Defenders Podcast on Salvation, Part #2, William Lane Craig, Defenders Podcast on Salvation, Part #1. My Calvinist friends (yes, I said friends) are sometimes surprised to discover that I happily make my case for Arminian theology based on Romans 9–11 and not despite them. The question then becomes whether there is evidence in the immediate context to substantiate this claim. According to Bullinger’s Critical Greek Lexicon, the verb foreknow means “to know, perceive, learn or understand beforehand, to take note of.” This word is used in Romans 8:29, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Also in Romans 11:2, “God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew.” An… Arminian Principles for Interpreting Romans 9. The greek in Matthew 22 is just kantos (meaning a general call like the to repentance that everyone is to receive) and the word for … If Paul thinks justified persons can be cut off from grace, then he cannot think of individual election to salvation in unconditional terms. The argument begins with God’s promise to Abraham to give him a son. His testimony that the golden chain made him a Calvinist suggests that it indisputably rules out Arminian theology. This Armenian Bible is a combination of Genesis, Exodus and the Gospels in Eastern Armenian (1883) and the rest of the New Testament in Western Armenian (Dwight/Riggs, 1853). This person went on to say that because God is…, The following post is a satire, written from the perspective of an overzealous Calvinist. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. But after listening to Piper he has been persuaded that in Romans 8:28-30 Paul constructs a “golden chain” that binds together the five clauses: One is unconditional corporate election to salvation, and the other is conditional individual election to salvation. Consider the implications. If you are looking for a video that bashes the "other side" this isn't for you. These chapters, particularly chapter 9, have been interpreted in various different ways…. Pink summed up the meaning of Romans 8:1 in these excellent words: To be in Christ Jesus is to be perfectly identified with Him in the judicial reckoning and dealings of God: and it is also to be one with Him as vitally united by faith. Connect at theologyproject.online. Previous. So, if God will unconditionally glorify those he foreknows, then it suggests Paul is here thinking primarily of the group over the individual. As we saw in Romans 11:17-25, individuals may move into that group on the condition of faith or out of it on the condition of unbelief. The Greek verb οἶδα (oida), translated as “we know,” is a perfect active indicative form of the verb, meaning “to observe and therefore perceive.” After all, it’s there Paul entertains the possibility that God might exert his sovereign power to “cut off” justified believers if they fall into unbelief. Many believe that ‘foreknew’ in Romans 8:29 isn’t in the sense of prescient knowledge, but of an intimate love. Paul says nothing about Pharaoh’s eternal destiny. With this response, I offer a few contextually oriented reasons why that is not the case. He fairly represents the differences between Calvinism and Arminianism. To the contrary, our entire theological system is built on careful exegesis of these texts and confidence in their trustworthiness. Whatever we ultimately say about Romans 9–11, we must acknowledge that these chapters constitute a single coherent argument. The conversation focuses on interpretting Romans 8:28-30 in light of the greater biblical narrative. Paul employs group designations in a variety of places in Romans 8. 38a (Dallas: Word, 1988), 1: 484. COMMENTARY ON ROMANS 8:28-39. That Paul is thinking of the group when he uses that term is evident in the masculine “sons” (Greek, Other arguments could also be made. Next. For example, “ Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived… ” (Gen 4:1, ESV). My Calvinist friends (yes, I said, Paul’s vision of election in Romans 9–11 is also relevant for my reading of another key text often thought to lead inevitably to Calvinism, namely the “golden chain” of Romans 8:28–30. By James M. Rochford. 2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem 1 in Judea, in the time 2 of King Herod, 3 wise men 4 from the East came to Jerusalem 5 2 saying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? This one does not. Much has been written about Romans 9 and the differing Calvinist/Arminian interpretations of it. This plays out particularly in terms of Paul’s incorporative Christology and pneumatology. Yet Paul does not say something like: you stand by faith, and that means you’ll be preserved to the end. God has mercy on all of us! And the Arminian can agree! There is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1) Calvinist writer A.W. Are we to conclude from this that Esau is burning in hell? That is the way Justin Dillehay portrays his experience in an article titled, Before we begin, let me say that I appreciate the tone of Justin’s essay. This phrase “pas ho pisteuon” is used in John 3:15, John 12:46, Acts 13:39, Romans 10:11, and 1 John 5:1. Romans 3:10–18 strongly argues for total depravity. 28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. You deny both that God foreknows and predestines individual believers. Romans 9:25–26 highlights the possibility of movement from non-elect status into the elect community. Both texts are in the Public Domain. Romans 8:29-33 by Mike Winger If you are looking for a video that bashes the "other side" this isn't for you. What is said about Jacob and Esau has everything to do with the election and passing over of the groups, respectively, who will descend from them. This suggestion is substantiated by the presence of corporate language as the argument progresses. It turns out there is. Resistible grace underestimates the power and determination of God. Other arguments could also be made. In the post after this, I’ll look at the…, In James White’s book, The Potter’s Freedom1, he argues for unconditional election based on Romans 8:28-30. His point is to vindicate God’s faithfulness to his covenant people as the God who always keeps his promises. This solves the apparent inconsistency and provides a framework for a coherent reading of the whole of Romans 9–11. The assumption is that Arminians must either ignore these chapters or explain them away. Before we begin, let me say that I appreciate the tone of Justin’s essay. Given what we’ve found regarding election in Romans 9–11, what can we say about the nature of election in Romans 8:28–30? It’s significant that the notion of corporate election shows up at the beginning of Paul’s argument in Romans 9–11 and suggests the subsequent parts of the argument should be read in light of that corporate dynamic. And what is the condition under which such an individual might be cut off? Romans 8:28-30 and Its Relevance to Romans 9, The Bible Project, “Destined for Glory; An Interview with Dr. Haley Goranson Jacob”, Dr. Craig Keener, Video Lecture: Romans 8:26-9:16, New Calvinist Bible – Romans 8-11 (satire), Dr. Vic Reasoner, “Golden Chain or Iron Padlock”, Joseph D. McPherson, “What Meaneth The Outcry Against Legalism”, James Arminius, “The Delay of Repentance is Marvelously Dangerous”. Unless otherwise noted, all citations are generously taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB). You will note that there is no reference in these four verses to either heaven or hell but to Christ-likeness eventually. Electronic text courtesy of … So, let’s take another look at chapter 9. In this post, Dr. Matt O'Reilly explains why that's a problem. What is said about Jacob and Esau has everything to do with the election and passing over of the groups, respectively, who will descend from them. As an Arminian he had believed that there is no one-to-one correspondence between those who are foreknown and those who are glorified.