The title sounds like the headline for a breaking news story, doesn’t it? Yet, truth be told, this shouldn’t any news at all, … that is, if Presbyterians are presently and actively promoting the doctrinal positions we hold so important.

My purpose is to provide impetus so as to stir up and incite Presbyterians not only in promoting (that is proclaiming, explaining and persuading other with the) doctrines of predestination and election, but of advancing these particular doctrines in our day, a work that at times seems satisfied or content to simmer lowly on the back burner.

If indeed, these doctrines are biblical, and useful in taking a man to a right and reverent understanding of God’s glory and grace and in training him with regard to a deeper and more accurate understanding of his own salvation, wherein he is led to a more full and meaningful worship experience with God, who exercises such free and sovereign dominion and care in choosing the specific objects of his redemptive mercy and grace, then should not believers, and especially those who call ourselves Presbyterians not only be more passionate, bold , outspoken and communicative with the beliefs we hold (i.e., more openly and actively promoting these doctrines), and better preparing our co-laborers for answering and responding to questions on these subjects, but also challenging others toward further and more diligent exploration and investigation given the value of the possession and comfort that belongs to those who hold these truths?

We see this first of all in the example of the Jesus, the apostles and biblical writers. While they handled these doctrines carefully, they did not shy away from proclaiming them. Luke in the book of Acts tells of the situation wherein “all who were appointed for eternal life believed.”

Paul wrote to the Ephesians about our being “chosen in him before the creation of the world,” that “in love, we were predestined to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ”, and that “In him, we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” Did not even Jesus himself say that “no one can come to me unless it is granted him from the Father?”

We see it also in the example of those who have gone before us, not only by theologians of great repute but also by councils of the church. Calvin taught these doctrines obviously, but so did Spurgeon and Jonathan Edwards and Augustine.

The council of divines at Westminster came together and approved the following: “By the decree of God, for the manifestation of his glory, some men and angels are predestinated unto everlasting life, and others foreordained to everlasting death. As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so hath He, by the eternal and most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto. Wherefore, they who are elected . . . are effectually called unto faith in Christ by His Spirit working in due season, are justified, adopted, sanctified, and kept by His power. through faith, unto salvation. Neither are any other redeemed by Christ, effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the elect only. The rest of mankind God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of His own will, whereby He extendeth or withholdeth mercy, as He pleaseth, for the glory of His Sovereign power over His creatures, to pass by; and to ordain them to dishonour and wrath for their sin, to the praise of His glorious justice.”

As Spurgeon said “the old truth that Augustine preached, that Paul preached, is the truth that I must preach today, or else be false to my conscience and my God.”

We see it in the label people like to lick and apply to us today. Mention “Presbyterian” and the first words that come out of most peoples’ mouths are “predestination and election”. As Shaun Lucas wrote, these form an important identity marker between Presbyterians and many other evangelicals.

We see it also in the confusion that muddled men hold on these issues. Think of the number of times people confuse and substitute the narrower doctrine of election for the broader subject of predestination, of all the times without distinction people say “I suppose you were predestined to do that!”, of all the times people suggest predestination means God brings people kicking and screaming against their wills into their kingdom.

We see it as well in the opportunity and responsibility we have in preaching the whole counsel of God. While it’s true, mature theologians all mention these doctrines should be handled with care for few doctrines spark as much controversy, the doctrines though handled carefully should still be taught.

Dr. R. C. Sproul states of predestination, “It is a difficult doctrine that demands to be handled with great care and caution. Yet is is a biblical doctrine and therefore demands to be handled. We dare not ignore it.”

Wilhelmus a Brakel in “The Christian’s Reasonable Service” says “Due to repeated slander by individuals with evil motives, the word predestination give some offense, triggers prejudice, and is repulsive to people who are both ignorant and filled with resentment against this doctrine. This has led some to be of the opinion that it is preferable not to speak of this mystery. Since Scripture, however, bears such abundant testimony to this doctrine, since it is a matter of supreme importance, yielding a proper understanding of the entire way of salvation; and since it is a fountain of comfort and genuine sanctification, nothing must be held back. The entire counsel of God must be declared. Everyone must strive to understand this doctrine well and apply it properly.”

Without treating the doctrines themselves in detail, let me present to you the single most convincing argument I’ve found to amicably initiate and encourage those who oppose the doctrines of predestination and election (but hold to biblical authority and inerrancy) to reconsider their position and look again to the teaching of God’s Word.

If the Apostle Paul, who in the first paragraphs of the Epistle to the Ephesians in writing so as to include and address the subjects of predestination and election (“chosen”) pauses in one of the most worshipful passages of Scripture to explosively and expressively praise God on three separate occasions saying “to the praise of his glorious grace” (or words to that effect), then shouldn’t the one who adamantly opposes the doctrines of predestination and election reconsider whether they really understand these doctrines they way Paul did, and whether their lack of appreciation of these doctrines results from that lack of understanding.

I submit to you that a full and fresh understanding of these doctrines will result in no less praise and adoration in us today than they did in Paul, when we come to understand and value these doctrines the way he did.

With this in mind, how often are you addressing these subjects and are you equipped for handling them? If you are not addressing them regularly in your preaching and teaching and conversations, why not?

Do you view these doctrines like a family heirloom which is nice to possess but not always something you want to set before your guests? Do you feel like you have to apologize for them, or do you see them as central to the redemptive work of God not only in bringing salvation to men, but a key component that even gives peace and comfort to men?

Do the doctrines form a forefront of your understanding and application of our union with Christ, and do they evoke and stimulate praise and adoration the way they did in Paul? I hope so, and encourage you in the communication and proclamation of these doctrines.

Tim Muse is a Teaching Elder in the Presbyterian Church in America and serves as Senior Pastor at Brandon Presbyterian Church (PCA) in the Jackson, MS suburbs. He blogs at Christian Word Bearer where this article first appeared; it is used with his permission.

[Editor’s note: One or more original URLs (links) referenced in this article are no longer valid; those links have been removed.]