The Package Theory of Election

In no uncertain terms, the Apostle Paul is inspired by the Spirit to write in Ephesians 1 that we were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world and predestined to be adopted as God’s children. What does this mean? It means what it says.

The non-Calvinist doesn’t think so, however (I’d like to use terms like Arminian or Semi-Pelagian, but most non-Calvinists I know reject those. A simple glance at a comparison between Calvinism and Arminianism, however, will reveal that many non-Calvinists are at least 4-point Arminians. But I’ll  stick with the elusive term, “non-Calvinist” for now). He is adamantly opposed to the idea that God would predestine an individual for salvation. The problem, however, is that the New Testament is replete with that kind of language. Something is predestined by God, but it can’t be me. So what is it? The Package.

It’s sort of like buying insurance. There are several different packages one may choose. One has a higher deductible, but a lower premium. Another includes a rental car, free of charge, if needed. Those kinds of stipulations are worked into the package, and are available for the one who chooses said package. But, ultimately, the choice is yours.

But is that really what the Bible is telling us about so great salvation? I agree, there is a package-like aspect to salvation. Not only do we find forgiveness of sins, we get a new life, the Holy Spirit’s sealing, adoption as God’s children, sanctification unto the image of Christ, a priestly status, and much more. The problem seems to be that New Testament language only says we’re predestined for the benefits of salvation and not salvation itself, as if they can be separated.

So the non-Calvinist has no problem with being “predestined unto adoption” or “chosen in Him” or even “ordained unto eternal life” (Acts 13:48) because all of those things are the consequences of salvation: being “in Him”, adoption, eternal life. We’re predestined to have the benefits of the package, but we must first choose the package.

See how this plays out in an online conversation I had when a friend of mine started a debate over this issue (my responses in bold):

“The verses on predestination in the KJV use plural pronouns. No single individual in the KJV was predestined unto salvation, it is always plural.”

“No, if the Greek word is plural, then it is plural. The KJV does have a distinction with the Elizabethan English “you” and “ye”, but even the ESV has a footnote at times when “you” is plural. Even so it doesn’t change the fact that we were chosen in him before the foundation of the world according to Ephesians 1.”

“To be ‘holy’ not ’saved’.

“It says chosen ‘in Him’. That’s the only way we could be holy anyway. Even if it were just ‘to be holy’, that’s still predestination to something that millions of others are clearly not predestined for.”

“God has a predestined will for us, but he has not predestined us unto salvation. We are predestined to be like him, not to be saved. There is a difference”

“If we’re predestined to be like him, and being like him can only happen to those who are saved, then logically we’re predestined to be saved. Or ‘ordained to eternal life’ (Acts 13:48)”

“God has predestined a body, but he has not predestined the individuals who make up that body. The scriptures do not say that we are predestined individually to be saved.”

“What else does ‘ordained to eternal life’ mean? The word there means ‘determined’. With that plus the verses in Ephesians which speak both of being chosen ‘in Him’ and ‘unto adoption’ it’s evident salvation is in view.”

“I know. God predestined the Church of Ephesus to be, but he did not ordain the individuals who made up that church. God says: Whosoever will…That is the difference.”

“Paul clearly said to the church at Ephesus that they were predestined to be adopted as sons according to the will of God. It can’t be more clear. And ‘whosoever will’ still applies. Whosoever comes is saved. Simple. It just so happens that those who come are those who are predestined.”

“Yes, but the individuals were not predestined.”

“So he predestined the building they met in? The church is a group of individuals. Paul told them that THEY were predestined unto adoption. Of course individuals are in view, as in Romans 8:29-30 – the many brethren are foreknown, predestined, called, justified, glorified.“

“If salvation is a plane, then there are only so many seats, and each seat is predestined to be there. But God says: Whosoever will may come. The plane is predestined, the seats are predestined, but the individuals who sit in the seats are not predestined.”

“It’s all reading into the text. The passage is very clear that the people to whom Paul was speaking were predestined to be adopted. Adopted is a verb that modifies the PEOPLE not salvation. Salvation is not adopted. People are. And they were predestined to be. Also, Acts 13:40 says that the PEOPLE who were ordained unto eternal life believed.”

“Acts 13:48 says nothing about individual election unto salvation. That fits the plane illustration perfectly.”

“The plane is ordained to eternal life? The plane believes? C’mon man it’s simple and plain: the verbs ‘believed’ and ‘ordained’ modify the ‘many’. Many is people. What is the ‘many’ other than a group of individuals?”

“But not individuals. To believe is to get on the plane. And the plane is going somewhere. It was ordained that someone would take the seats in the plane.”

“Ok and they were clearly ‘ordained’ to get on the plane. Or better yet they were ordained to go where the plane was headed: eternal life.”

“You will never be able to prove that an individual in the Bible was ordained unto eternal life. It is always plural.”

“That’s such a poor argument though. Just because it doesn’t say ‘harry was ordained to eternal life’ doesn’t refute the doctrine of predestination. The passages I’m pointing you to are so clear. And just because it’s plural doesn’t change a thing. All plural is is a group of singulars.”

“To say that an individual is ordained unto eternal life is to say something that the Bible does not say. Calvinism goes farther than the scriptures teach. And that is too far for me.”

“So God can ordain a group of individuals to eternal life but not one individual?”

“God can do anything he wants, but he has not ordained individuals to eternal life. God says Romans 10:13. I can kill my moms cat if I want to, but I have not done so. Same with predestination.”

“But do you see how what you’re saying directly contradicts the plain teaching of the Bible? You’re saying God has not ordained individuals to eternal life. Acts 13:48 says he does. The only thing you’re holding on to is that it doesn’t say ‘individual’ or a singular person’s name.”

“I think that you are reading too far into the Bible. You need to just look at what “IT SAYS” not what “IT MEANS.” Many people get in trouble teaching what it means and not what it says.”

“It SAYS that these people were ordained to eternal life! You’re the one using a plane to try to explain what it MEANS.”

I think the conversation speaks for itself. The non-Calvinist takes away all significance behind the very reason why God would want to encourage His people that they were chosen to be in Him. Instead, we’re led to believe that the position was chosen, and you just happened to choose yourself into that position.

Because those verses don’t necessarily use the term “salvation”, it fits the non-Calvinistic view of election as a package that comes with benefits. Even though II Thessalonians 2:13 does say we were chosen for salvation, the salvation is from eschatological wrath, so it doesn’t count. Well, it counts, but only as a benefit of initial salvation. This gets confusing very quickly.

What significance is it for Paul to tell a group of people in Ephesus they were chosen? Apparently none. Because, after all, “you choose God and then God chooses you.” This excuse of a theology takes away God’s sovereignty in salvation, and consequently, His glory.

If you are chosen for the benefit, then you are chosen for the package. If my insurance company wrote me a letter saying I was chosen to have a certain premium, it would only be effectual if I had that insurance. Likewise, how can one be chosen to adoption if he’s not chosen to be saved? Can I skip the whole salvation part and just become a son of God? See how quickly this becomes nonsense? Don’t separate the parts of the package, it’s one whole thing that God has chosen to give to His people!

I have no problem with viewing salvation in package terminology: as long as God is the sender and the recipient is the one to whom He chooses to give it.