Who Chose Who?
“Who” is on First; “What” is on Second.
Who chose who? That is the name of the game. This is a little shell game that Calvinists often play. The fact is that God the Father has chosen us, that is, believers, from the standpoint of being in Christ, to receive all that which God the Father has bestowed in the Beloved. Calvinists, on the other hand, protest that “the elect” are chosen in order to believe:
John Calvin writes: “...Augustine denies that those who believe are chosen; rather they are chosen in order to believe.” (Concerning the Eternal Predestination of God, p.64, emphasis mine)
Calvin adds: “Again, God did not choose us because we believed, but in order that we might believe, lest we should seem first to have chosen Him. Paul emphasises that our beginning to be holy is the fruit and effect of election. Hence, they act most preposterously who place election after faith. Then, when Paul lays down as the unique cause of election the good pleasure of God which He has in Himself, he excludes all other causes.” (Concerning the Eternal Predestination of God, p.69, emphasis mine)
Rather, as per Ephesians 1:4, we are chosen in Christ to be holy before Him. The standpoint of our election with the Father is on the basis of our position in His Son. Hence, no one can come to the Father but through Jesus. (John 14:6)
