15:18). God knows in advance who will choose to be saved, so he predestines those people to be made like his Son (see Romans 8:29). E. One Theological Position Scripture can be quoted to support each of the four concepts related to election, and there is tension between the concepts. How can we reconcile them Many Christians do not attempt to reconcile the concepts. They either take a Calvinist/predestination stance or an Arminian/foreknowledge stance. Regardless of which position is taken, one is still bound by the same commandments of Scripture. Both Calvinists and Arminians are commanded to obey the Great Commission in spreading the Gospel. Both Calvinists and Arminians are instructed to obey the Great Commandments—to love God and love their neighbor. If we obey Scripture, it may not matter whether or not we are Calvinist or Arminian. However, one’s view of God may differ if one holds to strict Calvinism or strict Arminianism. The former might see God as sovereign but not loving. And the latter might see God as loving, but not sovereign. Stringfellow offers a theological position that draws from each of the four concepts. He writes that God’s part is electing or calling people such as Abraham (Gen. 12:1), but Abraham’s part is exercising free will to obey God (Heb. 11:8). God chose to call Abraham, and Abraham could have chosen to reject the call. And God has foreknowledge of who will respond to his call, so he predestines those people to be conformed to the image of his Son Page 2 of THEOLOGY - Election and Related Topics 1/7/2012 http://test.missionstraining.org/Theology/Election.html
(see Romans 8:29 above). 18 God knew in advance who would respond to his call, and so he predestined only responsive people to be saved.
