God Has Chosen: The Doctrine of Election through Christian History
Overview
“He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world . . .”
Among the traditional tenets of the Christian faith is the belief that God chooses or elects people for salvation. For some Christians, such an affirmation is an indication of God’s sovereign and perfect will. For others, such a notion is troubling for it seems to downplay the significance of human agency and choice. Throughout the church’s history, Christians have sought to understand the meaning of relevant biblical texts and debated this theological conundrum.
With care and insight, theologian Mark Lindsay surveys the development of the Christian doctrine of election. After exploring Scripture on this theme, he turns to the various articulations of this doctrine from the early church fathers, including Augustine, and medieval theologians such as Aquinas, to John Calvin’s view, the subsequent debate between Calvinists and Arminians, and Karl Barth's modern reconception of the doctrine.
On this journey through the Bible and church history, readers will discover how Christians have understood the notion that God has chosen.
- Surveys the development of the Christian doctrine of election
- Explores articulations of this doctrine from the early church fathers to modern reconception
- Examines the Bible and church history
- Scriptural Traces of Election
- The Doctrine of Election in the Writings of the Fathers
- The Middle Ages
- The Reformation and Early Post-Reformation Controversies
- Public and Private Election in the Nineteenth Century
- Karl Barth’s Reconsideration of the Doctrine of Election
- Reconstituting Election in the Aftermath of the Holocaust
- Conclusion
Top Highlights
“What we see in this story, then, is a confounding example of God’s freedom to choose one thing and not another—or in this case, one person and not another—not only for no good reason but seemingly for no reason at all.” (Page 19)
“All doctrines are, or should be, grounded in the church’s Scriptures.” (Page 14)
“doctoral project should only ever be the candidate’s first word on their chosen subject, not their last” (Page 1)
What a rich and stimulating book! Lindsay interprets election not solely in light of the various historical controversies regarding predestination, but also in light of the correlative understandings of the body politic and especially the Jewish people. In so doing he offers a theology of election or predestination that is also a subtly drawn political theology as well as an insistent engagement of ongoing Judaism within Christian theology proper. A rare work of systematic theology whose range actually lives up to its systematic ambitions.
—Matthew Levering, James N. and Mary D. Perry Jr. Chair of Theology, Mundelein Seminary
In this fine study, Mark Lindsay moves at pace and with sharp insight over the complex historical-theological terrain required for us to understand the doctrine of election in its long and contested development to the present day. The lucid discussion that results illumines how this doctrine can be considered the very sum of the gospel by its proponents but impious speculation by its detractors, old and new. The closing exploration of the meaning of the doctrine for Christian-Jewish encounter in the shadow of the Holocaust confronts us with questions whose theological importance simply cannot be denied.
—Philip G. Ziegler, professor of Christian dogmatics, University of Aberdeen
This volume offers a lucid and thoughtful exploration of one of the most vexing points of the Christian faith—the doctrine of election. Attending in turn to its scriptural foundation, historical development, and contemporary complexity, Lindsay does not shy away from any of the difficult aspects of the teaching, but seeks to further its understanding in a way that evidences his years of wrestling with its meaning and significance. In doing so, he provides readers less familiar with the doctrine with a sensitive, helpful guide that is sure to provoke deeper reflection and further reading.
—Paul T Nimmo, King’s Chair of Systematic Theology, University of Aberdeen
- Title: God Has Chosen: The Doctrine of Election through Christian History
- Author: Mark R. Lindsay
- Publisher: IVP Academic
- Print Publication Date: 2020
- Logos Release Date: 2020
- Pages: 236
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subject: Election (Theology)
- ISBNs: 9780830853236, 9780830853229, 0830853235, 0830853227
- Resource ID: LLS:GODHASCHOSEN
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:18:38Z