Recently our men's group had a discussion about Ephesians 1 and the issue of predestination. Of course, we had people on both sides of the issue: yes, God chose us to believe; yes, God put the plan in place for us as a group to believe, predestining the church. A few of us knew the Calvinism versus Arminianism debate: individually, we were predestined to become part of the church, we had no choice; we have free will to believe or not. The saner among us tried to draw the discussion back to the larger themes of Ephesians 1 so we wouldn't get hung up on this minor doctrinal issue for the whole hour.
As I reflect on the chapter, I wonder what Paul would have been thinking when he wrote "God loved us and chose us". What precedents would he have in mind? From the Hebrew scriptures--the only ones available to Paul and the church at the time of the letter--we have many examples of individuals being chosen: Noah, Abraham, Isaac (versus Ishmael), Jacob (versus Esau), Joseph, Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Debra, Gideon, Samson and the other judges, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon (versus the other sons of David) and so on. Additionally, we have the nameless others of Abraham's entourage and later the tribes of Israel. They also were chosen by God, though not individually. They were grafted, adopted into the holy (sanctified) nation by their relationship with those that were set apart, sanctified, as individuals.
We have Rahab and Ruth, chosen by God to fulfill the kingly and messianic lineage, but not born into the chosen people. They were adopted into God's family also.
We have the 12 disciples chosen by Y'shua Meschach (Jesus Christ) individually. However, we also know of thousands of others who initially heard his voice and followed him. A hundred or so remained after His death and resurrection but that number quickly grew. Three thousand became believers on the day we call Pentecost. Were each of them chosen by God individually? Saul/Paul was but what about Ananias and Sapphira who sold their property withholding some of the proceeds? What about the other Ananias who healed Paul after his conversion--was he specifically chosen to believe--or would another believer done just as well if Ananias wasn't there? Was the Ethiopian eunuch, to whom Philip preached after Philip was sent to that spot, specifically chosen? Or would anyone traveling to Ethiopia worked to spread the gospel to one of the subsequent strongest Christian nations in history?
It seems like the Hebrew scriptures and the early church experiences would have supported both doctrines.
I'm certain of this though: Christ will not ask me about my doctrinal stand when I see Him face to face. He will ask whether my faith was expressed itself in love (Galatians 5.6). Did my life show the fruit of the Spirit--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, against which there is no law (nor doctrinal correctness)?
