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The 'Election'

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Soulfire
Recently I've been reading Puritan literature for my American/British Lit. class. While I personally think that the Puritans were too conservative and too narrow-minded (didn't celebrate Christmas, didn't celebrate birthdays, holidays from work meant scriptural meditation, etc.)... there is an interesting concept that has come up, and I'd like to know peoples' thoughts about it.

After reading part of John Edwards' sermon Sinners in the hands of an Angry God, our teacher began to tell us that the Puritans subscribed to a belief in 'The Election' which is a literal translation out of Revelations. Basically, it means that certain people are going to Heaven - God already knows who, and there is a set number. In order to get into this 'elect' - you must be a visible saint, or impress the angels that are constantly watching over you with your good deeds and hard work.

I honestly think their concept is right, and here is why:

God is omnipotent, and knows and sees everything. When He creates a child in a womb, He already knows of the child's complete future - including where he/she will go after death.

So my thought is that God elects people to go to Heaven.

For all intents and purposes, assume that Christianity is 100% correct. This means that even though God created all other people in all different religions, He knew that only the Christians He created would go to Heaven.

This concept of 'election' could exist in many religions beyond Christianity.

Any thoughts or questions?
Lennon
Yes soulfire, a few thoughts

Another similar philosophy is predestination. Although slightly different the God still has the vision from the start and we experience that vision in real time.

Where does free will come in? Does God elect us or is he simply aware of our choices. God electing people seems sounds good that we nominate ourselves for election, we promote ourselves etc, but God makes the final decision. However good deeds and hard work is not sufficient. For St. Paul describes the action without motivation of love is a useless action. Everything must have love. God looks past good deeds and hard work. It is the heart that counts.

Another point is that your judgement is not made until the last day, so when you die you're work as a saint continues in the church. So the communion in Christ, namely the pilgrim church on earth, the saintly church in heaven, and the souls in purgatory, will all be judged simulataneously at the last day. So the election isn't when you die.

Or so I used to think when I was a devout christian.

Now I believe that after we die we cease to exist. But those we loved will remember us, and may feel a sense of continuation in an after-life with hope. And I agree, it is a beautiful thing to believe in God, the resurrection and an everlasting life. Beautiful but no more than a dream.
Traveller
Soulfire wrote:
God is omnipotent, and knows and sees everything. When He creates a child in a womb, He already knows of the child's complete future - including where he/she will go after death.

What you've described is not the Puritan's concept of Election, nor even of the normal, Christian concept of Election, but is an offshoot theory usually called the "prescient view."

For more accurate representations of the doctrine of Election, read:
Soulfire
Quote:
What you've described is not the Puritan's concept of Election, nor even of the normal, Christian concept of Election, but is an offshoot theory usually called the "prescient view."

You quoted the part of my post that had nothing to do with Puritans.
Traveller
Soulfire wrote:
You quoted the part of my post that had nothing to do with Puritans.

Fair enough. Admitted, but that does not change the fact that the "prescient view" has never been considered the normal doctrine of Election and that the sources I mentioned present the facts accurately.

Actually, I should qualify the first part of my last statement for those who may not be familiar with church history or current church polity: The "prescient view" is held by a great number of today's Christians, especially Southern Baptists. The Southern Baptists who believe the "prescient view" are, however, unaware that the view is not only counter to the accurate statement of the doctrine of Election, but also to the view that was held by the very founders of the Southern Baptist Convention. The last item in the above list of resources (by Ernest Reisinger) not only explains the doctrine well, it also cites sources from some of the SBC founders.
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