My first post in this series on "TULIP" began with the idea of Total Depravity, so this one will cover what's known as "Unconditional Election." Much like Total Depravity, this concept isn't supported at all by Scripture. Let's take a look at it.
This is a Calvinist (reformed theology) concept and forms the "U" in their TULIP acronym.
The definition of Unconditional Election as defined by the Calvinist website & ministry 'CARM' is this: "God elects a person based upon nothing in that person because there is nothing in him that would make him worthy of being chosen . . . Election is the sovereign act of God where, from before the foundation of the world, he chose those whom he would save."
This belief (that was plagiarized from pagan heresies) is particularly offensive to the gospel message and the Great Commission which commands all believers to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Such a commission wouldn't make any sense if God had already "pre-chosen" who would believe in Him.
As The Berean Call states, "The Bible uses the term 'elect' in a variety of ways: for Israel, Christ, a lady, a church, and angels. Never, however, is this word used to indicate that there is a select group who alone have been predestined to be saved. Never…."
The fallacious idea of Unconditional Election also states that if God "pre-chose" people to be saved, then He necessarily also "pre-chose" who will go to Hell, and there's nothing they can do about it. This is clearly not descriptive of the God of the Bible who is love and who gave Himself for us that we might be reconciled to Him.
The idea of Unconditional Election does violence to the entirety of Scripture wherein God is constantly calling for people to turn to Him. Why bother, if God is intentionally preventing some people from believing? It is a truly absurd, and unbiblical heresy.
The truth (supported by countless verses) is that God desires "all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
Check out this article for more information: https://soteriology101.com/2016/11/18/3-things-you-should-know-about-election/
