……where the sovereignty of God meets the free will of sinners.
Note: if you haven’t read my article, “Introduction to Conditional Sovereign Election (CSE),” I encourage you to read that first. It’s a concise overview that will aid in your understanding.
I have been on both sides of the election debate. I have studied and written extensively in support of each position. I know both sides very well. I understand why each side believes the way they do. I know all the primary arguments on both sides. However, after all the dust has settled, after so many years of studying the doctrine of election, I think we complicate this doctrine more than it really is. I don’t believe the doctrine of election was ever meant to be something mysterious or divides God’s people. Election was meant to encourage our hearts, not to create conflict. Therefore, I removed around 25 studies from this website in support of the Calvinist view.
Before we get started on the overview, I want to explain how CSE differs from Arminianism and Provisionism, which are the other two leading non-Calvinist positions:
Arminianism: This position teaches that the Holy Spirit must first “set the will free” before a sinner is able to hear, understand and believe the gospel. Arminianism also teaches that a born-again believer can lose their salvation (although not all Arminians believe this). I don’t believe the Bible teaches either one.
Provisionism (Leighton Flowers, Soteriology 101): This position teaches that the Scriptures alone are able to lead a sinner to faith in Christ, without the personal working of the Holy Spirit in a person’s heart, since the Holy Spirit is the Author of the Scriptures. I believe the Bible teaches the personal involvement of the Holy Spirit in a person’s heart, that He works in tandem with His written Word. Provisionism also teaches that a sinner can either accept Christ or choose to reject Him. I believe that once the Holy Spirit enlightens the eyes of the humble sinner (Jn 6:45), they will always choose to receive Christ as their Savior.
Here I will present a broad overview of Conditional Sovereign Election (CSE). In later studies I’ll hit on all the primary passages that deal with election and the atonement of Christ, particularly those that especially divide Christians over these two doctrines. I think you’ll be surprised at the simplicity of this position, as well as how well everything fits together.
I know this overview will leave a lot of questions on the table, so again, I will answer those questions in future studies. It’s important to realize that no matter what position we have on this doctrine, there’s always going to be questions. However, I’ve come to the conclusion that the position I outline here is the most sensible and the least biased. I would also add, the most obvious.
If we’re going to understand CSE, we must begin with the basis for it. This is the foundation of this whole position.
Bird’s Eye View of Conditional Sovereign Election
In this section I will provide a brief explanation of CSE. In the sections following this one, I will expand on it. Here I just want you to get a bird’s eye view of it, where the basis for CSE is immediately brought into focus.
But first, I want to give you CSE in bullet form:
I believe the doctrine of election is to be understood as clearly as the doctrine of salvation is so clearly understood. That’s because the two are directly connected. It’s faith that connects them. Election points directly to salvation, which is via faith. Therefore, we must understand election the same way, which is via faith. So the main point to understand here is that election and salvation are connected by faith. It’s what ties the two together. In addition, we must also understand the basis for faith, or what produces faith, and that’s humility. There is no faith apart from humility. This involves the free will of the sinner (libertarian free will). Finally, we must understand that the Holy Scriptures are sufficient to lead anyone to faith in Christ (as the Holy Spirit personally works in a sinner’s heart), because it’s the very power of God (Ro 1:16).
With that bullet statement about how election and salvation are connected, I think the most appropriate place to start this discussion is Ephesians 1:4:
(Ephesians 1:4 – CSB) – For he chose us in him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in love before him.
First, we must realize that election is the election of God’s people collectively, as a corporate people. It’s a class of people that God chose, just as God chose the people of Israel, beginning with the choosing of Abraham, who is a type of Christ. When God chose Abraham, it was with the corporate people of Israel who were in view and who would come through his line.
Likewise, when the Father chose His Son to be our Savior (Lu 9:35) and Head of His Church (Eph 5:23; Col 1:18), it was with His redeemed people in view. We as the corporate people of Christ were chosen in Him.
On an individual level, there’s only one condition for salvation, and that’s faith, which requires humility. Faith and humility are so intertwined, they can’t be separated. Humility is the basis of faith. We’ll talk more about the role of humility later.
Therefore, there’s only two types of people in the world from God’s point of view: those who believe in His Son and those who don’t, those who belong to Him and those who don’t. Those who believe, are the elect of God. Those who don’t believe, are the non-elect.
Accordingly, since election is directly associated with salvation, we have to be chosen on the same basis, which is via faith. Before the foundation of the world God chose anyone and everyone who believes in His Son (Eph 1:4). Thus, those who place their faith in Christ are the elect of God—chosen for salvation. Likewise, God didn’t choose anyone for salvation who does not place faith in Christ. Accordingly, unbelievers are the non-elect—not chosen for salvation.
Therefore, when someone believes in Christ as their Savior, God has already pre-ordained or pre-determined to save them, because the ones He has chosen for salvation are those who believe in His Son. When someone refuses to believe in Christ, God has already pre-ordained not to save them. Thus, we see the elect and the non-elect clearly identified.
Election really is that simple.
This to me is the most sensible and the most biblical way of understanding the doctrine of election. In fact, I think it becomes obvious when we think it through without a positional bias. We complicate this doctrine way more than we should. Simplicity is the key for understanding this doctrine.
The Apostle John confirms this position:
(John 20:31 – BSB) – But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.
The most obvious interpretation is the correct one. Every single person who reads or hears this book read to them, has a legitimate opportunity to believe and receive salvation in Christ. If this were not true, then this promise is a lie. But we know that it’s not possible for God to lie.
The Apostle John not only reveals the inclusiveness of salvation, but he also reveals that God has given all humanity a free will to choose, or not to choose. (libertarian free will).
John 20:31 is one of the foundational verses of Scripture that forms the basis for CSE, which we’ll talk about more next:
The Basis For Conditional Sovereign Election
In this section I’ll expand on what I wrote in the last section. There will be some repetition, but I will broaden it in order to provide a fuller picture for you.
We Must Start With The Choosing Of Israel
If we’re going to understand the doctrines of election and the atonement of Christ correctly, we must begin with God’s choosing of the people of Israel, because His choosing of Israel provides the pattern for God’s choosing of His redeemed.
In the Old Testament God chose to raise up a people unto Himself. He started with Abraham (through Isaac and Jacob). God chose Abraham to be the vehicle through whom God would raise up His people (Ge 12:1-3; Ge 17:1-7,16-19; Ge 35:9-11). People became part of this chosen people via birth.
Likewise, God chose to raise up a redemptive people unto Himself. He started with His Son. The Father chose His Son to be the vehicle through whom He would raise up His people. We become a part of this redemptive people in the same way the children of Israel did, and that is via birth, spiritual birth. We obtain this spiritual birth through faith in God’s Son, who was chosen to be our Savior and Head of His Church (Lu 9:35; Eph 5:23; Col 1:18). Just as people became a part of the ethnic people of Israel through the physical line of Abraham, so do we become a part of God’s redemptive people through the spiritual line of Christ.
Within Abraham were the children of Israel. Within him was everyone who would be born into this line. Likewise, within Christ (“chosen in Him” – Eph 1:4) is everyone who would be born into His spiritual line, and that’s by way of faith in Him. When God chose and called Abraham, He saw the people who would proceed through him. It’s in that way that the people of Israel were “foreknown” by God:
(Romans 11:1-2 – BSB) – [1] I ask then, did God reject His people? Certainly not! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. [2] God did not reject His people, whom He foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says about Elijah, how he appealed to God against Israel:
Just as God “foreknew” the people of Israel when He chose Abraham, so did He “foreknow” the people of Christ when He chose His Son (Ro 8:29; Lu 9:35). When God chose His Son, He saw the people who would proceed through Him. It’s like when God created humanity, He saw all the races and nations that would proceed through Adam and Eve throughout the course of time. Israel was a people group that God saw when He chose Abraham. Likewise, God saw a redemptive people group (the Church) when He chose His Son. All of this was according to His plan, purpose and foreknowledge. God’s Son and His people are central in that plan.
Therefore, when God chose people in His Son “before the foundation of the world” (Eph 1:4), it was in anticipation of a corporate people (the Church) who would arise through Him.
However, it was also in anticipation of the individual members of His Church who would believe in Him as their Savior, just as there were individuals in Israel who would believe (“the remnant”). He chose everyone for salvation who would place their faith in Christ. Nothing could be more clearly stated throughout the NT.
While it’s the people of faith who have salvation in Christ and are “the elect,” we have to understand what the basis of faith is, or where faith comes from.
Calvinists will tell you that faith is given to the special select few as a gift. However, that’s a position that doesn’t line up with what’s taught in the OT. Neither does it line up with the revelation of the NT. Faith is not given as a gift of grace, but is something that originates in the hearts of sinners. Without the Calvinist lens to view the Scriptures, a natural reading of the Bible would never give us the idea that faith, obedience and repentance is something that God gives to us Himself. But throughout the Bible we see that it’s something that God requires of us personally.
It’s All About Humility: Saving faith is associated with humility. Faith is the condition for salvation, but faith itself is conditional. Faith is born in the heart of humility. God only grants grace to the humble of heart:
(1 Peter 5:5 – BSB) — God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (also James 4:6)
Even if this is addressed to Christians, it doesn’t matter, because it’s a general law of God that He gives grace to the humble, but is opposed to the proud—whether we’re talking about a believer or an unbeliever. We see this all through the Bible, especially in the OT. Likewise, this is also applicable to sinners when given the opportunity to hear the gospel of Christ. A person will either react in prideful unbelief and rejection, or respond in humility and faith—or rather, the humility of faith. This is exactly what Jesus indicates in John 5:40:
(John 5:40 – CSB) – But you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life.
Jesus was talking to those who didn’t believe in the God of Israel (YHWH, Yahweh), regardless of what they claimed. Therefore, since they didn’t believe in Jesus’ Father, they wouldn’t believe in Jesus either. He indicates that they could have received life if they were willing. However, they were not willing to believe in the Father or His Son. It simply wasn’t in their hearts. A willingness to go to Jesus in faith requires a humble heart—the humility of faith. Faith is always associated with humility. The two can’t be separated. One requires the other.
Therefore, while salvation is conditional, which is met via faith in Christ, faith itself is also conditional. The condition is HUMILITY. In other words, faith depends on a heart of humility. A person with a prideful heart will never go to Jesus. That was the case with the Jews that Jesus was talking to. God honors humility above all things, because everything that God requires of us involves humility. Therefore, this is true of sinners in regard to salvation. This is confirmed by a multitude of OT passages, which we’ll look at in a bit.
Over and over and over throughout the Old and New Testaments, we see that the one thing that God honors above everything else is HUMILITY. Humility before God is central in God’s plan for humanity. Why? Because faith and obedience to God can only come from a heart of humility. There is no faith or obedience apart from humility. There is no repentance apart from humility. Willful pride can never produce faith, obedience or repentance. All three of these are directly connected to the other, which proceed from a humble and willing heart before God.
Therefore, while “the elect” are those who place their faith in Christ (chosen BECAUSE OF faith), election goes deeper than that. In order to understand election, we must go below the surface of faith and consider what it is that produces faith: it’s HUMILITY. Faith and humility are one. As we consider the value that God places on humility, and how much depends on humility, how can we not be led to the conclusion that those whom God elected in His Son “before the foundation of the world” (Eph 1:4) are those who have a genuine heart of humility before God, who are fully open and receptive to the gospel of Christ. In other words, the elect of God are those who have a truly humble heart before God, the kind that always results in faith. Those are the ones whom God looks upon with favor, as these Scriptures reveal with absolute certainty:
(Isaiah 66:2 – NIV) – These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word.
(Psalm 138:6 – CSB) — Though the LORD is exalted, he takes note of the humble; but he knows the haughty from a distance.
(Psalm 25:8-9 – BSB) — [8] Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He shows sinners the way. [9] He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way.
(Psalm 149:4 – CSB) – For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation.
(Proverbs 3:34 – BSB) — He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.
(1 Peter 5:5 – BSB) – God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
(Zephaniah 2:3 – BSB) – Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who carry out His justice. Seek righteousness; seek humility. Perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD’s anger.
In addition to those passages, we see humility in salvation demonstrated in the life of the tax collector. We also see in this same passage, the pride of the Pharisee, which does not result in salvation:
(Luke 18:10-14 – BSB) – [10] “Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like the other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’ [13] But the tax collector stood at a distance, unwilling even to lift up his eyes to heaven. Instead, he beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner!’ [14] I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Which of the two men did God honor? Which of the two did God look upon with favor? Which of the two did God choose to grant salvation? It couldn’t be more clear. It was the one who had a humble heart before God, which resulted in his salvation. The Pharisee went away unjustified, because he was filled with rebellious pride. The prideful of heart would never be open to the gospel of Christ, because faith in Christ always requires a receptive and humble heart toward the gospel and toward Jesus Himself. Without the biased lens of Calvinism, we would never get the idea that in such passages like this one, or in the list of passages that preceded this one, that humility and faith come from God. On the contrary, it’s crystal clear that this is something that God requires of the individual whom He commands, which has to originate within a person’s own heart. The obvious sense of this is blinded by the teachings of Calvinism.
Here’s another passage where we see the sovereignty of God and the free will of sinners in salvation:
(John 5:38-40 – CSB) – [38] You don’t have his word residing in you, because you don’t believe the one he sent. [39] You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me. [40] But you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life.
(Also Matthew 23:37)
We already talked about this passage, but I want to elaborate on it here. It’s easy to see the role of the sinner: the way of salvation is via “belief” that proceeds from a “willing” heart (free will), which is a heart of humility. In regard to the Sovereignty of God, we see that God would have granted them favor and salvation if only they had been “willing.” This is what God pre-ordained for such sinners. Thus, the elect are those who have a humble and willing heart before God, who always respond to the gospel of Christ in sincere faith.
When I was a Calvinist, this passage always troubled me (along with Matt 23:37). It’s one of those passages where there is no sensible answer that can be given from the Calvinist perspective, because Jesus clearly indicates that the people whom He was addressing could have believed and could have gone to Him for “life” if they were only “willing.” The only thing a Calvinist can say is that they were not willing because “they were not among the elect.” However, that’s blatantly contradictory to what Jesus revealed to these people. It avoids the obvious, which is, that Jesus most certainly reveals that they had a genuine opportunity to believe and receive life in Him.
These Jews also, quite obviously, had the opportunity not to believe and receive life in Him. For Jesus to give them the indication that they could receive “life” if they were only willing to “come” to Him, would have been deceptive if it wasn’t even possible for them to do so. He couldn’t very well say this or condemn them for it if it was something that wasn’t even possible for them. Does the Lord Jesus ever deceive people like other religious leaders do, as if He were a common sinner (Nu 23:19)? Let’s be sensible and realistic about this. There’s no doubt that Jesus was telling them that they could have had “life” if they were willing to “come” to Him in faith, which always proceeds from a heart of humility before God.
This passage, as well as the passages preceding this one, most certainly reveals libertarian free will. The preconceived notions of Calvinism blinds a person from seeing the obvious sense and truth of what’s being revealed here.
The Key: We see that the basis for and the foundation of Conditional Sovereign Election is that it’s the humble of heart who are the elect of God, because faith can only proceed out of a heart of humility. Such humility before God always results in salvation. So yes, faith is the condition of both election and salvation, but humility is the condition for faith. The humble heart is the fertile soil that produces faith (Matt 13:23). The two go hand in hand. The “humility of faith” is how we describe the two together.
As a personal example, God didn’t choose me for faith in order to have salvation, He chose me for salvation based on my faith—because it was already decided or pre-determined before God even created us that He would choose people for salvation when they believed in His Son as their Savior—which always proceeds from a heart of sincere humility. Both faith and humility are involved in election. When God raised up His redemptive people via faith in His Son, it was a certainty that God’s plan of election would be fulfilled for both the corporate people of God, as well as for all individuals who become a part of this corporate people.
In CSE, we see both the sovereign choosing of God of specific people (the humble of heart, which is the fertile soil that produces faith in His Son) and the free will of the sinner—those who respond to the gospel with a humble and receptive heart. When God sees humility, He sees faith. When He sees faith, He sees humility—and thus grants salvation. This is where the sovereignty of God and the free will of the sinner meet. There’s harmony between the two.
It’s readily apparent that the doctrine election is to be understood as clearly as the doctrine of salvation is so clearly understood. That’s because the two are directly connected. It’s humble faith that connects them.
With this understanding of the doctrine of election, we can quite easily and naturally interpret every verse and passage in the Bible regarding this doctrine (as we’ll see in future studies). Calvinists and certain non-Calvinists, such as Arminians, don’t have that luxury. Instead, because of the positions they hold, it has them both scrambling to provide reasonable answers to the objections coming from both sides.
The Atonement of Christ
(1 John 2:2 – BSB) – He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
First, there’s no such thing as unlimited atonement. Only universalists believe that everyone is going to get saved. That’s a heresy of a fringe group who have no biblical basis whatsoever for their position.
The atonement of Christ is limited. Meaning, it’s limited to those who believe. While salvation is available to everyone who hears the gospel, the blood of Christ is only applied to those who believe, because it was only intended for those who believe. The blood Jesus shed is sufficient to save everyone and is available to everyone who hears the gospel message, but the benefits of His atonement are meant to be applied only to those who believe in Him as their Lord and Savior.
Likewise, election (becoming one of God’s elect) is only applied to those who believe in Christ as their Lord and Savior, which comes from a heart of humility before God.
That’s why Jesus said that He “lays His life down for His sheep” (Jn 10:11), because His death only benefits them. Jesus died to save those who believe. He did not die to save those who don’t believe. In other words, Jesus laid down His life for those who were already believers at that time (and who already died), as well as for those who would believe in Him after the cross. As for those who would believe after the cross, Christ’s sheep are those who “hear” His voice and respond with a humble and willing heart of faith (Jn 10:26-27; Ro 10:8-10l Ja 4:6; 1 Pe 5:5). Thus, the sheep of Christ are those who are of a humble heart, which always results in faith. The blood of Christ is only applied to them.
Nothing characterizes sheep better than humility. They are not like the lion, who is characterized by the boldness of pride, self-sufficiency and fearlessness. Sheep are the total opposite of that. They are meek creatures and completely reliant on their shepherd.
Accordingly, when Jesus told the Jews He was talking to in that same chapter that “you don’t believe because you are not of my sheep” (Jn 10:26 – CSB), He was referring to the sincere humility that characterizes His sheep, which is the requirement for faith. In other words, Jesus was telling them that they didn’t believe because they didn’t have the right kind of heart that is required to be His sheep. Instead, they had hearts of rebellious pride. To confirm that this is what He was referring to, Jesus then said, “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me” (Jn 10:27 – CSB). Those who hear with a heart of humility, will respond in faith and follow. Those who react with the hearts of pride and rebellion, will never believe and follow. That’s what characterized the Jews that Jesus was talking to.
Also, in that same context, Jesus associated Himself with the Father (Jn 10:14-18, 25-30). The implication was that they didn’t believe in Jesus because they didn’t believe in the Father, which requires the heart of a humble sheep.
In the same way, Paul said that Christ “gave Himself up for His Church” (Eph 5:23,25), which is the corporate body of believers. The blood of Christ is applied to the individual members of His Church—those who have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus.
The purpose of the atonement is fulfilled in anyone and everyone who believes. It’s in that way that not one drop of His blood was wasted, which is a common accusation of Calvinists. Again, Christ’s blood was not meant for those who reject Christ in prideful unbelief, but for those who are of humble heart.
The following verses reveal that the provision of salvation is for all people, but they also reveal that the application of the atonement is limited to those who believe:
(1 John 2:2 – BSB) – He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
(1 Timothy 4:10 – BSB) – To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe.
We can rightly understand that Christ paid the price for the sins of everyone (provision, availability), and shed His blood for everyone, but that the application of His blood is intended only for those who respond in humble faith. The blood of Christ was not meant to be applied to those who respond in rejection (out of prideful unbelief).
Old Testament Picture of the Atonement of Christ
In the following OT passage (Nu 21:4-9), we see the atonement of Christ vividly portrayed for us. But we must first begin with John 3:14-16, because it’s looking back on this OT incident:
(John 3:14-16) – 14 Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” 16 For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. (NET)
When non-Calvinists make a case for “unlimited” atonement, most people only quote John 3:16 in this passage. But context is everything. It’s highly important that we include verse 14, because it’s in that context that Jesus proclaims the famous words of verse 16. I believe this is one of the most important passages in the Bible for understanding the extent of the atonement.
The incident Jesus was referring to in verse 14 is found in the book of Numbers (Nu 21:4-9). Obviously, Jesus wants us to go back and consider the account of what happened on that day. There’s a message there that we are to bring forward and apply to Christ. Once we do that we’ll be able to understand how it relates to His work on the cross. It will give us a picture of the gospel message, and it will also reveal the extent of its outreach (please read Numbers 21:4-9).
Why did Jesus refer to this incident? Was it just because the serpent on the pole was lifted up, just as Jesus was to be lifted up on the cross? Or does it go deeper than that?
Let’s look at the details of what occurred on that day:
1. The people of Israel were not happy about the way things were going.
2. They sinned by complaining against Moses and the LORD.
3. God judged the people by sending deadly serpents among them.
4. Many of the people were bitten and died.
5. The people confessed their sin.
6. Moses prayed for them, and God answered by instructing him to make a fiery serpent and to set it on a pole.
7. Those who got bit were told to look at the serpent, and if they did, they would live.
Those who sinned were under God’s judgment. After they confessed their sin, God provided a way of grace and mercy that would allow them to live. Note that this provision was for everyone. This provision was not for a select few, but for everyone who got bit. Furthermore, they had the freedom (free will) to either look at the serpent and live, or not to look and die. God provided the way of life, but each of them had to make it personal, which again, reveals the free will of the sinner.
While God made the provision for all, it was up to each individual to respond in faith by looking at the serpent. I say, in faith, because if they looked at the serpent, it would be a demonstration of their belief in the word of God through Moses about the provision He made for them.
What we have in this account is a picture of the atonement of Christ, and to whom His blood is applied. He wants us to look at what happened back then, and understand. Understand what? That provision for sin is offered to everyone, and that whoever looks upon Christ in faith will live. It vividly portrays the gospel message that we’re to proclaim to those who need Jesus.
As with the people of Israel in the OT passage we looked at, people in the world today have the freedom of choice to either look upon the Savior and live, or not to look upon Him and die. Note the very next statement Jesus makes after referring to the serpent: “so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.” It’s reasonable to conclude that when Jesus made that statement, He was thinking of the people of Israel who looked upon the serpent and lived. Whoever looked in faith, lived. It’s the same today. Whoever looks upon the Son in humble faith, lives. In both passages we see the libertarian free will of sinners.
These passages should be understood in the most natural way. Jesus is not only the atoning sacrifice for the sins of us who are saved, but also for the sins of everyone else in the world. No one is excluded from the availability and opportunity when they hear the good news about Christ. And by the way, how would it be good news for those who hear, but have no possibility of believing it? Again we see the senseless nature of Calvinist theology.
Note: Since salvation is conditional (humble faith), the common non-Calvinist phrase “unlimited atonement” is misleading. Therefore, the more accurate identifier is “conditional atonement,” since it’s conditional on the basis of faith. This is the reason I prefer the name “Conditional Sovereign Election.”
The Light of the Scriptures is Enough
Before we discuss the sufficiency of the Scriptures to lead anyone to faith in Christ, we must first realize that before we’re born-again, we dwell in the kingdom of darkness. Upon faith in Christ, we’re transferred into the Kingdom of light:
(Colossians 1:12-14 – BSB) – [12] giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. [13] He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
The Kingdom of Christ is a kingdom of light because Jesus Himself is the one who lights up His kingdom as “the Light of the world:”
(John 8:12 – BSB) – Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
(John 1:4-8 – BSB) – [4] In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. [5] The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. [6] There came a man who was sent from God. His name was John. [7] He came as a witness to testify about the Light, so that through him everyone might believe. [8] He himself was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.
(John 1:9 – NET) — “The true light who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.”
(John 8:12 – BSB) – “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Even though we all dwell in darkness before we come to Christ, darkness cannot “overcome” the light of Christ. John the Baptist specifically tells us so! He said that “the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” It’s BECAUSE we all dwell in darkness that Jesus must shine His light into our lives! It’s not that we’re unable to see the light because we’re not “one the elect,” as Calvinism teaches. No! Rather, as the Savior and Light of the world, the Lord Jesus must shine His light so that “everyone might believe.”
Furthermore, we also know that Jesus shines His light through the Scriptures:
(Psalm 119:130 – BSB) – The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.
(Psalm 119:105 – BSB) – Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
(2 Peter 1:19-21 – BSB) – [19] We also have the word of the prophets as confirmed beyond doubt. And you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. [20] Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one’s own interpretation. [21] For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Consider carefully. If all people (every sinner of the world) dwell in darkness before we come to faith in Christ, and if He shines His light into our darkness, and if He shines His light into our darkness through His written Word (the “Scriptures”), and darkness cannot overcome it, then we know that EVERY person who hears the gospel of Christ has a legitimate opportunity to understand and believe unto salvation. Not just the so-called “unconditionally chosen individuals of the world.”
Think about it. Light is for those who are in darkness, not for those who are already in the light. But that’s exactly what Calvinism teaches. It teaches that sinners must be taken out of the darkness via regeneration before they’re able to see the light of Christ. Thus, it has the light shining in the light. Another example of the illogical nature of Calvinist theology. It makes me wonder how I ever could have bought into it.
With that background, let’s discuss the sufficiency of the Scriptures:
I want to draw your attention to five passages. They’re foundational for the CSE position, because they’re foundational for understanding the means by which God makes the gospel known to sinners, and to whom it applies. Note everything I have underlined and in bold:
1. (Romans 1:16-17 – BSB) – [16] I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek. [17] For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Here Paul reveals that the gospel itself is “the power of God” for “salvation.” Listen again! The gospel itself is “the power of God” for “salvation.” The “gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith.” As the Word of God, it’s God Himself who gives the gospel message its power to save anyone who hears or reads it, as the next verse confirms:
2. (John 20:31- BSB) – But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.
I talked about this one before, but it’s so important that it needs to be emphasized. John is EXPLICIT. This revealed truth is so illuminating and so unmistakable that any reasonable thinking person can understand what John is telling the reader. ANYONE reading this gospel (the Gospel of John) has the means and opportunity to believe in Christ and receive “life in His name.” John is crystal clear that God’s written Word (Gospel of John) has “the power” (Ro 1:16-17) to bring anyone to faith in Christ.
ANYONE can hear, understand and respond to the gospel of Christ in the humility of faith, which points to libertarian free will. That’s the obvious conclusion we must come to. God has enabled sinners with a free will to either receive Christ in humble faith, or to reject Him in prideful rebellion.
This verse is a promise to each and every sinner who is exposed to the gospel of Jesus Christ—not just to “certain elect individuals!” Such teaching completely disregards, corrupts and invalidates this wonderful and beautiful promise to humanity. We live in a world of sinners who all have the same need for deliverance. No one is left without hope and opportunity.
Do you want to know what the Bible teaches about the doctrine of election and who salvation is intended for? Do you want to know who God extends grace to? John 20:31 answers both questions. This one promise alone exposes the error of Calvinism.
3. (2 Timothy 3:15-16 – BSB) – [15] From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
Paul reveals something truly wonderful here, if we’re willing to accept it as it’s plainly stated. The “Holy Scriptures” are “able” (sufficient) “to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
In the Scriptures, in the gospel message, we have the wisdom of God, rather than the wisdom of this world. Thus, any sinner is able to understand the wisdom of turning to Christ the Savior for forgiveness of sins, which is accomplished via the Holy Spirit as He illuminates His Word in a person’s heart. Through the Scriptures, any sinner can see the wisdom of recognizing that Jesus, the Son of God, is the only way of salvation that God has provided. This is why it’s so important that we provide sinners with enough biblical teaching for them to make an informed decision about Christ and the Christian faith.
This also applies to the teaching about who God is, because our faith must have an object, and the object of our faith is the one true God, who is Triune in nature—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Christianity is Trinitarian, and it’s important that people know that—because so many people have so many ideas about who God is. When sharing or preaching the gospel, if all a person is told is that Jesus is the Son of God, that’s enough (Jn 20:31; 1 Jn 5:5,9-13,20). However, if a person is taught that God exists as a Trinity, then at that point they’re accountable to believe it. Again, the more a person knows about the gospel and the nature of God, the better equipped they are to make a decision about Christ.
4. (Hebrews 4:12 – BSB) – For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
“Living and active”
“active” (powerful, effective)
God’s Word is not an ordinary book. It’s not a lifeless book of words like the works of mankind. The words of Scripture are alive and powerful, able to penetrate the heart and soul to the point of changing one’s life and relationship with God forever. It’s able to reveal the glory and holiness of God, as well as the smallness and deeply flawed condition of our own lives. It’s able to reveal and convict us of the sinfulness of our lives and of our need for forgiveness. It’s able to reveal the means of true peace and purpose in the midst of our empty and miserable lives. It’s a light that exposes the darkness of our souls and of our need to be in a right relationship with God. The words of God reveal the awfulness of an eternity without Christ, as well as the abundant joy of eternity with Him.
5. (Isaiah 55:11 – NIV) – So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
God Himself is the power of His Word. God’s Word accomplishes everything He intends for it to accomplish. It “will not return to Him empty,” but will achieve every “purpose for which He sends it.” This obviously includes the message about Christ. The “purpose” of the gospel message is to call people to faith in Jesus. The “purpose” is to reveal our sinfulness and need for forgiveness. The “purpose” is to reveal our total inability to save ourselves. The “purpose” is to reveal that Jesus is “the way and the truth and the life,” and that “no one comes to the Father except through Him” (Jn 14:6). The call to salvation in Christ is in the gospel message.
When we consider all five of these passages, it’s irrefutable that the gospel of Christ (the Scriptures) is indiscriminate. The salvation message is not some secret code to be understood only by a special group of “unconditionally chosen individuals,” as Calvinism teaches. Nowhere do we see that. The plain reading of these passages lead us to that glorious conclusion. The gospel was intended to be understood and believed by anyone and everyone who hears it or reads it. The only thing that stands in the way of that is a person’s own prideful and rebellious heart.
Role of the Holy Spirit: The fact that the message of salvation is alive and powerful and able to be understood by anyone who hears it, doesn’t mean that the Holy Spirit is not personally involved in a person’s heart and life. This is where I disagree with Provisionism (Leighton Flowers), which teaches that the Scriptures are enough, apart from the personal work of the Holy Spirit in a person’s heart, but rather, that the Scriptures themselves accomplish that work since the Holy Spirit is the Author.
However, the Spirit of Truth is not impersonal, who isolates Himself from His Word or from sinners who hear it. He always accompanies the Word of God that He authored. He personally convicts a person of their sins and their need for Christ (Jn 16:8-15; Jn 15:26). He personally draws them (Jn 6:44), and He does that through His Word. Both the written Word of God and its Author are active in a person’s heart to reveal the truth to people who need Jesus. That’s because the Holy Spirit and His Word can’t be separated. The Lord Jesus is referred to as “the Word,” because He embodies the Word of God. He is the personal expression of God’s verbal and written Word. This reveals the Triune nature of God.
Since the Scriptures are sufficient to provide awareness of sins and a person’s need for Christ as Savior – as well as the means of faith – there’s no need for the Holy Spirit to “free the will” of a person so they can understand and believe, as Arminianism teaches. Likewise, there’s no need for the Holy Spirit to regenerate a person first, as Calvinism teaches. Rather, the Holy Spirit works in tandem with His written Word to illuminate the truth of the gospel message, as well as the Trinitarian understanding about God. The Scriptures and the libertarian free will that God has given to humanity provides all that is needed.
Light Is Conditional
Even though the light of the Scriptures (via the work of the Holy Spirit in a person’s heart) is enough to lead any person to faith in Christ, not everyone sees the same amount of light. The reason for that is what we’ve been talking about all along, that it depends on the condition of a person’s own heart. If a person has a humble and willing heart, the light will shine brightly and they will continue from light to light, because that’s where they want to be, and that’s where they stay. However, if a person has a prideful and rebellious heart, the light will become dimmer and dimmer (Lu 8:18). That’s because those who hear with rebellious hearts will turn away from it. Thus, rather than seeing more light, they will be facing the opposite direction toward the darkness of the kingdom they dwell in. Thus, they will see the same darkness they’ve become accustomed to, the same darkness they’re comfortable in:
“Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil deeds hates the light and does not come to the light, so that their deeds will not be exposed.” (John 3:19-20 – NET)
Those who resist the gospel of Jesus Christ, do so because “they love the darkness rather than light.” Since they hate the light of Christ, which exposes their sin, they refuse to come to Him.
People believe or don’t believe based on how the light of the gospel affects their hearts. If the gospel is objectionable to them, then they will not believe, and they’ll turn away from the light. God leaves them in darkness, according to the will of their own prideful and rebellious hearts. For them, the “veil” of darkness remains over “their hearts” (2 Cor 3:15–16,18; 2 Cor 4:3-4). If they reject the message, it’s because it doesn’t appeal to them. They have no use for it. They have other interests, and Jesus would just cramp their style. They love their sin. They want to rule their own lives. On the other hand, if the light of the gospel of Christ is good news to their souls, if it touches them on a deep level, such a response reflects a receptive heart of humility. Accordingly, they will be given all the light they need to understand and believe (2 Cor 4:6). God will continue to draw them.
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (Jn 14:6 – BSB).
Jesus is not only “the light,” He’s also “the truth.”
Truth and light go together. This means that darkness and falsehood go together. Outside the light of Christ, there is total darkness and all deception. Without the light that Jesus provides, people walk in darkness and are not able to see the truth. Away from the light of Christ there is total darkness and they’re are not able to find their way:
“Then Jesus told them, ‘For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. [36] While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may become sons of light.” (John 12:35-36 – BSB)
First, remember that John the Baptist said, “The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (Jn 1:5 – BSB). However, here Jesus tells us that those who don’t believe will be overtaken by darkness. It’s not because the light is insufficient to overcome darkness. It’s because a person chooses to turn away from the light in “unbelief.” They’re “overcome” by it, because they choose not to keep themselves in the light (“while you have the light”).
Jesus stands as a lighthouse in the world, providing direction for those who are in the dark, which is everyone until they come to faith in Christ:
“I have come as a light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in darkness.” (John 12:46 – NET)
As the Light of the world (Jn 8:12; Jn 9:5), Jesus is drawing individuals out of the darkness and into His light and into His truth (Jn 12:32). Jesus shines the light of His soul-saving gospel upon the world. His light shines for everyone who hears His message of life. People will be either drawn to His light, or they will be repelled by it. Those who are drawn to the light of Christ, will respond with humble and receptive hearts of faith. Those who are repelled by it, will respond with prideful and rebellious hearts of unbelief.
Those who are drawn to the light of Christ will know in their hearts that truth and everlasting life are found only in Him:
“For God, who said “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the one who shined in our hearts to give us the light of the glorious knowledge of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6 – NET)
These individuals will understand that their sins are not something to be embraced, but something they need forgiveness for. Instead of running from the light of Christ, they run to the light and embrace the truth and the forgiveness that is found only in Him. Those who welcome the initial light of the gospel, will be granted the fullness of light and understanding, compelling them to embrace Christ as their Savior.
No one who is granted the necessary light and awareness of the truth, ever walks away in unbelief (Jn 6:45). Those who truly see the beauty of the gospel of Christ, who truly comprehend what Jesus did for them, will be fully compelled to receive Him as their Lord and Savior. This is the drawing and call of God to embrace His Son, which always results in faith. This is the Word of God and the Holy Spirit working in unity to lead the humble of heart to salvation.
Think back on your own salvation experience, how it was for you at the point of conversion. For me, I was saved by reading a gospel tract. While I was reading the salvation message, my response was nothing but positive throughout. I was completely drawn to it. I believed every word. I loved and wanted what I heard. There was no way I was walking away from Christ. That was God shining His light and revealing the truth about Jesus and what He did for me. That was the Holy Spirit confirming the truth of the message to my heart, while bringing conviction of my sins and a sense of need for forgiveness for those sins. The light of truth about what Jesus did for me was so compelling that there was no way I was walking out of my room until I got down on my knees to embrace Him as my Lord and Savior. This is the sufficiency of the Scriptures to lead humble and willing souls to Christ. There is no need for the will of the sinner to be “freed,” as Arminianism teaches. Nor is there a need to be regenerated first, as Calvinism teaches.
It may take longer for some people to process the gospel of Christ—and the Christian faith in general. While the humble may need more time to think through what they’ve been learning about Jesus and what He did for us, in time they will be firmly convinced of the truth and compelled to receive Christ. God knows the human heart, and gives people all the time they need to process everything they’re learning.
Faith is God’s Grace Apart From Works
Calvinist theology teaches that faith is a gift that God grants as part of the drawing process of regeneration for those who were chosen for it. This is based on verses like this one:
(Ephesians 2:8-9 – BSB) — [8] For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, [9] not by works, so that no one can boast.
Calvinists believe that God’s “grace” and the “the gift of God” includes the required “faith.” However, that’s not actually what Paul taught. He defines God’s grace as faith apart from the works of the law:
(Romans 3:24-28 – BSB) – [24] and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. [25] God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, in order to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand. [26] He did this to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and to justify the one who has faith in Jesus. [27] Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of works? No, but on that of faith. [28] For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
Paul is EXPLICIT. He tells us as plainly as he could possibly say it, that “God’s grace” is literally “faith apart from works of the law.” Furthermore, he tells us that faith does not give a person reason to “boast.” He tells us that faith “excludes boasting!” Calvinism conveniently overlooks Paul’s teaching here. Let that sink in.
All through Paul’s writings we see that the issue is between the works of the law vs. God’s grace via faith. Over and over he tells us that we’re saved by God’s grace via faith instead of by doing works of the law. The Jews were taught that obedience to the law was central in their belief system. Paul needed to correct that misunderstanding. We see that especially in the books of Romans and Galatians.
Paul leaves no doubt that faith is something that is opposed to works of the law, not opposed to God’s grace. Additionally, He tells us where faith comes from, that “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17 – BSB). It’s via the hearing of “the word of Christ” that a person is able to believe in Him. It’s through the verbal or written message about Christ that we learn what He did for us in providing for our salvation. Thus, in order for a person to place their faith in Him as their Lord and Savior, they must first hear the gospel of Christ. God uses His Word to stir our hearts with the light of truth that He shines in our hearts, which always results in faith in the hearts of the humble.
This of course is all a work of the Holy Spirit within a sinner’s heart – through His Word – to bring about conviction of sins, the need for forgiveness, as well as the truthfulness of the gospel message. This is Christ drawing sinners (Jn 12:32) who respond favorably to His message. No one who is granted the necessary light and awareness of the truth, ever walks away in unbelief. No one who sees His light and understands His truth, who become fully aware of their sins and its consequences, can ever be the same.
God most certainly uses this whole process to affect our hearts, without the need for “regeneration first” or the need for our wills to be “set free” before we’re able to believe. The truth and light of Christ that we read about in the Scriptures is so compelling to those who are willing to receive it, that it can only result in faith. True knowledge and true understanding about Christ and what He did for us, can never leave a person in a state of rejection (Jn 6:45). This kind of “hearing and learning” we see in John 6:45 has the idea of being totally persuaded and humbled.
Light and truth that is received (welcomed), is more light and truth that God grants until a sinner reaches the point where they receive Christ as their Savior. And that’s because they choose to continue to place themselves within its influence. Those who reject the light and truth about Christ, are the ones who walk away in unbelief. That’s because they choose to turn away from it, where there’s only darkness. Jesus knows the human heart, and He knows when to stop drawing them.
Divine appointments
No one comes to faith in Christ by mere chance, where someone just happens to be at the right place at the right time. It’s always by Divine appointment. It’s always by the providence of God. God is the one who sends the gospel to people:
(Romans 10:14-15 – BSB) – [14] How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? [15] And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
The sending of missionaries, the sending of witnesses, the sending of the gospel, none of this originates within the heart of people. It originates in the heart of God.
God knows the heart of every person who enters the world (Acts 15:8). Accordingly, He makes sure that all humble-hearted people have the opportunity to hear and respond to the gospel message in the humility of faith, based on their own free will. Salvation is only intended for those who have a humble and willing heart, completely open to the gospel of Christ, which always results in faith unto salvation. Such are the elect of God.While Jesus died for everyone in the general sense, salvation was never intended for those who turn away from Him with a hard and unwilling heart of unbelief.
The unreached
No one who dies without hearing the gospel of Christ is unjustly judged, because God knows the heart of every person (Is 66:2; Jer 17:10; Ps 149:4; Ps 25:8-9; Ps 138:6; Is 57:15; Zeph 2:3; Acts 15:8). It will be revealed to them that they would not have believed even if they did hear it (1 Cor 4:5). Yes, God works through the light of creation to draw people to Himself (Ro 1:19-20; Ps 19:1-4), but He does that in conjunction with what He sees in a person’s heart. This answers the question, “what about those who never hear the gospel?” No one will be able to offer an excuse when they stand before God.
Conclusion
The conclusion is, that election and the atonement of Christ is CONDITIONAL. We see a harmony between the sovereignty of God and the individual freedom and responsibility of the sinner to receive the message and welcome Christ as their Lord and Savior. Everyone is responsible for their own heart and their own response to the gospel. Those who reject Christ, do so out of a heart of rebellious pride.
There’s obviously a vast number of passages and details that still needs to be discussed, which I will do in future studies. But this gives the reader a reasonably short and hopefully uncomplicated explanation of a subject that’s not nearly as complicated as we generally think it is.
Conditional Sovereign Election answers all the verses and passages that are related to this subject. Again, I will demonstrate that in later studies. The Calvinist position cannot do that. For that matter, neither can the Arminian position.
