Election

Election

1. Predestination

   • Developed from Augustine
     • Salvation is only possible because of God's Grace
   • The Christian teaching that God chooses and guides the elect

2. Divine Decree

   • Antelapsarian Decree - God decreed the elect and reprobate at the moment of creation.
   • Postlapsarian Decree - God decreed the elect and reprobate after the Fall

3. Perdition - refers to punishment, hell, purgatory and damnation.

4. Unlimited Election - God calls all to perfection and heaven is possible for all. Unlimited because Christ died for the sins of the whole world.

5. Limited Election - Heaven is only for those whom God chooses as righteous. Limited because Christ died only for the sins of the elect.

6. Single Predestination - God elects only those whom he ordains to enter heaven and eternal life.

   • Universalism - the belief that hell is not eternal and the goal is perfection and restoration of the world to its pre-Fall state.
     • John Hick - What purpose is there in eternal punishment?
   • Catholicism

7. Double Predestination - God elects only those whom he ordains to enter heaven and also decrees that the reprobate or sinners are destined for hell and damnation.

   • John Calvin and Calvinism
     • Should not assume God's plans. What we know is limited. Both elect and non-elect must act morally.