Chosen for Paradise

Book excerpt: Reframing Election in Romans 9-11.In the Incarnation, God has united the human race to Himself. The doctrine of election has confused theologians for centurieslike a dog chasing it's own tail.Does God choose us, or do we choose God?Some believe that our own striving human willpower must some-how conjure up and maintain our own salvation. But how can weever be certain that we have believed deep enough? Is it really upto us to save ourselves? To depend on my own decision for God?Others believe salvation is God's sovereign business from start tofinish. But what about those who don't believe? Did God choosesome to fry in their own fat forever in Hell?What if God's predestination is not about choosing some for blissand others for destruction? Following the lead of the great theo-logian Karl Barth, John Crowder explores the volatile passages ofRomans 9-11 to shed new light on the debated topic of election.God is not choosing one human over another. Jesus Christ is thechosen, elected man on behalf of all humanity. And you are fully included in Him.