Ephesians by Gordon Clark

Hey, I like your name. We sang one of your hymns this morning - All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name.

 

1. Solid thoughts on Eph 2:8 from the Calvinistic perspective.

2. Yes, the doctrine of Predestination was always on the mind of Paul.

3. Another word that is worth exploring is Call/Called. Now, that is a theologically charged word, whose volts are supernatural.

 

At least in the way Paul uses the word. He often uses it as a near synonymn for saved or being saved.

 

That view on Eph. 2:8-9 is in the minority, even amongst calvinists...so the Arminian accusation is false. From Albert Barnes (calvinist)...
And that not of yourselves - That is, salvation does not proceed from yourselves. The word rendered "that" - τοῦτοtouto - is in the neuter gender, and the word "faith" - πίστιςpistis - is in the feminine. The word "that," therefore, does not refer particularly to faith, as being the gift of God, but to "the salvation by grace" of which he had been speaking. This is the interpretation of the passage which is the most obvious, and which is now generally conceded to be the true one; see Bloomfield. Many critics, however, as Doddridge, Beza, Piscator, and Chrysostom, maintain that the word "that" (τοῦτοtouto) refers to "faith" (πίστιςpistis); and Doddridge maintains that such a use is common in the New Testament. As a matter of grammar this opinion is certainly doubtful, if not untenable; but as a matter of theology it is a question of very little importance.

 

So..."many are saved (called), but few are chosen"? Huh?

 

Yep. Many are called (saved), but few are called out (from among the saved).

 

Not oblivious but it does come "down the list" AFTER salvation. After all, you can't be predestined/elect unless you are saved. :thumbs:

I had to point out this nonsense! Grace apparently IS "merited" by "favoritism!"

skypair

 

I thought the text in question was "many are called, but few are chosen", not "many are called, but few are called out".

 

I think she was trying to confuse the Calvies. :laugh:

There are 2 places where these words appear, Mt 20:16 and 22:14. Both are in regard to the KoH and in both the "called" are Israel (they were called to be vineyard workers and guests when Jesus came) and the "chosen" are the church -- who were hired last in one parable and came as the bride to the marriage feast in the other.

skypair

 

1. Brothers, why take one verse that says "Many are called but few are chosen" and draw numerous conclusions without considering the context.

2. In another place Jesus says, "I did not come to CALL the righteous but sinners to repentance." How should we understand this use of CALL?

 

It isn't Paul who made that remark, so what does that have to do with the way Paul uses the word "called"?

There are places where Paul uses called as a metonymy for saved or became a Christian and I don't think there's really a whole lot of disagreement about that among those who study Paul, no matter what their theological stripe.

 

A very informed response, indeed!