Election in Christianity: Difference between revisions
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In [[Christianity]], particularly within the [[Christian theology|theological]] framework of [[Calvinism]], '''election''' involves [[God in Christianity|God]] choosing a particular person or group of people to a particular task or relationship, especially [[Eternal life (Christianity)|eternal life]]. |
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Election to eternal life is viewed by some as [[Conditional election|conditional]] on a person's faith, and by others as [[Unconditional election|unconditional]]. |
Election to eternal life is viewed by some as [[Conditional election|conditional]] on a person's faith, and by others as [[Unconditional election|unconditional]]. According to Calvinist theology, before the foundation of the world, God chose certain individuals, known as the "'''elect'''", to receive his saving [[grace in Christianity|grace]] and be [[predestination|predestined]] for eternal [[salvation in Christianity|salvation]]; Calvinists view this election as unconditional, based not on human merit or works but solely on God's sovereign will and purpose. |
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The 1913 ''Catholic Encyclopedida'' presents the subject as follows: |
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"The term '''elect''' denotes in general one chosen or taken by preference from among two or more; as a theological term it is equivalent to 'chosen as the object of mercy or Divine favour, as set apart for eternal life'. In order to determine the meaning of the word more accurately, we shall have to study its usage both in the Old Testament and the New." |
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==In the Old Testament== |
==In the Old Testament== |
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{{Main|Jews as the chosen people}} |
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The [[Old Testament]] applies the term "elect" to the Israelites |
The [[Old Testament]] applies the term "elect" ({{lang-grc-x-biblical|ἐκλεκτος}}; {{lang-hbo| בָּחִיר}}) to the [[Israelites]] insofar as they are called to be the [[chosen people]], [[people of God]], or faithful to their divine call. The idea of such an election is common in [[Deuteronomy]] and in [[Book of Isaiah|Isaiah]] 40-66.<ref name=Catholic1913>{{Catholic|title=Elect|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05374a.htm|inline=1}}</ref> |
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==In the New Testament== |
==In the New Testament== |
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Based on the statement of [[Jesus Christ]] that one should, "''enter in at the narrow gate, for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there are that go in thereat. How narrow is the gate and strait the way that leads to life, and few there are that find it''," (Matt. 7:13,14) many have inferred that there are very few elect, who are saved.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=[[s:Think Well On't/Day 18|Day 18: On the small number of the elect.]]|title=Think Well On't or, Reflections on the great truths of the Christian religion for every day of the month|year=1801|publisher=T. Haydock|first=Richard|last=Challoner|author-link=Richard Challoner}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|chapter=[[s:The four last things/Part 4#211|Part 4: On Heaven: On the Number of the Saved.]] |title=The four last things: death, judgment, hell, heaven|year=1899|publisher= Benziger Brothers|first=Martin of|last=Cochem|author-link=Martin of Cochem}}</ref> However the number of the elect is generally an open question with no conclusive answer, as evidenced by the fact that there is no Catholic dogma concerning the matter.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=[[s:Sermons from the Latins/Sermon 16|Sexagesima: The Number of the Elect]] |title=Sermons from the Latins|year=1902|publisher= Benziger Brothers|first=Robert|last=Bellarmine|author-link=Robert Bellarmine}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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{{Portal|Christianity}} |
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*[[Predestination]] |
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*[[Corporate election]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{Reflist}} |
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* LESÊTRE in Dict. de la Bible (Paris, 1899), II, 1708 sqq.; MURRAY, Dict. of the Bible (New York, 1900), I, 678 sqq.; KNABENBAUER, Evang. secundum Matthæum (Paris, 1893), II, 178, 247; MONSABRÉ Conférences de Notre-Dame (1899), Conference VI. |
* LESÊTRE in Dict. de la Bible (Paris, 1899), II, 1708 sqq.; MURRAY, Dict. of the Bible (New York, 1900), I, 678 sqq.; KNABENBAUER, Evang. secundum Matthæum (Paris, 1893), II, 178, 247; MONSABRÉ Conférences de Notre-Dame (1899), Conference VI. |
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{{Christian Soteriology}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:Christian soteriology]] |
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[[Category:Christian terminology]] |
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Latest revision as of 17:41, 8 March 2024
In Christianity, particularly within the theological framework of Calvinism, election involves God choosing a particular person or group of people to a particular task or relationship, especially eternal life.
Election to eternal life is viewed by some as conditional on a person's faith, and by others as unconditional. According to Calvinist theology, before the foundation of the world, God chose certain individuals, known as the "elect", to receive his saving grace and be predestined for eternal salvation; Calvinists view this election as unconditional, based not on human merit or works but solely on God's sovereign will and purpose.
In the Old Testament
[edit]The Old Testament applies the term "elect" (Biblical Greek: ἐκλεκτος; Biblical Hebrew: בָּחִיר) to the Israelites insofar as they are called to be the chosen people, people of God, or faithful to their divine call. The idea of such an election is common in Deuteronomy and in Isaiah 40-66.[1]
In the New Testament
[edit]The New Testament transfers the meaning of the term from its connection with the people of Israel to the members of the body of Christ (Christian church), either militant on earth or triumphant in heaven.[1]
Based on the statement of Jesus Christ that one should, "enter in at the narrow gate, for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there are that go in thereat. How narrow is the gate and strait the way that leads to life, and few there are that find it," (Matt. 7:13,14) many have inferred that there are very few elect, who are saved.[2][3] However the number of the elect is generally an open question with no conclusive answer, as evidenced by the fact that there is no Catholic dogma concerning the matter.[4]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ a b
One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Elect". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
- ^ Challoner, Richard (1801). . Think Well On't or, Reflections on the great truths of the Christian religion for every day of the month. T. Haydock.
- ^ Cochem, Martin of (1899). . The four last things: death, judgment, hell, heaven. Benziger Brothers.
- ^ Bellarmine, Robert (1902). . Sermons from the Latins. Benziger Brothers.
- LESÊTRE in Dict. de la Bible (Paris, 1899), II, 1708 sqq.; MURRAY, Dict. of the Bible (New York, 1900), I, 678 sqq.; KNABENBAUER, Evang. secundum Matthæum (Paris, 1893), II, 178, 247; MONSABRÉ Conférences de Notre-Dame (1899), Conference VI.