Kay

“Also the doctrine of predestination (unconditional) also emphasises God’s grace. Nothing we do or can do will save us. It is merely according to God’s pleasure and will that some are saved.
Rom 9:15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

Mark,
What I find in Romans 9 when looking into the context, shows that Paul was explaining God’s right to predetermine and use the nation of Israel to produce the Messiah.

The spiritual salvation of individuals, especially a predestined, unconditional election, is not the subject of Romans 9. Romans was written to a fellowship containing both Jewish and Gentile Christians. And their differing backgrounds presented problems for the congregation. Ch.9 is preceded by the encouragement, promise, and hope of security in the Lord of Romans 8:31-39. It was clear at that time, that as a nation, the Jews were rejecting God.

Both Jew and Gentile Christian might ask, “Had God not elected and predestined Israel?” Paul seems to have anticipated this question.
“For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom pertain the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came, who is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.” Romans 9:1-5

Ask yourself, “Who is Paul concerned about?” Is it not national, physical Israel? Paul, a Jew himself, states the subject as his “brethren” and “countrymen according to the *flesh”, not spiritual brethren in Christ.

Paul seems to here address the appearance that God’s promise and efforts failed for the Jews, for he says: “But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac your seed shall be called.” That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed.” Romans 9:6-8

Here we are introduced to the concept of “spiritual Israel” versus “flesh, physical Israel”. In 9:3-5, Paul discussed Israelites who were identified “according to the flesh”.
“For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son.” And not only this, but when Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls), it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.” Romans 9:9-13

Now, please ask yourself this question, “Up to this point, has Paul been focused on the election of *individuals* or *nations*?” Recall verses 1-5. Physical, national Israel has clearly been the topic of concern.

Unfortunately, the Calvinist begins reading at vs14 – without the benefit of the previous context. Consequently, although the passage never mentions salvation, the Calvinist ‘assumes’ that the discussion pertains to the predetermined, unconditional election of individuals unto salvation.

Did God’s choice of Jacob over Esau pertain to an election of *individuals* unto salvation? Or, did God’s choice relate to the roles of *nations* in God’s plan to fulfill the promises to Abraham and produce the Messiah?

Some Calvinist’ may acknowledge that the context of Romans 9:1-15 is indeed dealing with nations, not individuals, and reply, “But, that makes my point even stronger! God is sovereignly saving or condemning entire nations, not just individuals!” This statement overlooks the second aspect of the Calvinist assumption: The context is dealing with a nation’s role in God’s providence and plan to bring forth the *Messiah*, not the *salvation of a nation*. Otherwise, we would be forced to conclude that all Edomites were condemned and that all the Jews were saved.

From this point, he is arguing that God does not owe the Jews *spiritual salvation*, even if they are Abraham’s seed. People are saved according to God’s promise, not by virtue of their *ancestry*.

“What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? Certainly not! For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion.” So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” Romans 9:14-16

Paul’s goes on anticipating a charge from a dissatisfied Jew – recall, it was Jews that Paul was grieving. It was Jews, who were not christians, despite being Israelites according to the flesh.

Does this passage reveal the *basis* of God’s choice? That purpose is not even mentioned here! Only assumption can inject a basis into the passage. *Again, we must be careful not to assume Calvin’s connotation of election and predestination.*

“What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory ..” (22-23)

Calvinists see the phrases, “vessels of wrath prepared for destruction”, and “vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand”, and assume Calvin’s definition of preparation – an unconditional, individual predestination.

We humans know how we must exercise longsuffering in following through on projects we start. We accidentally, or even deliberately dig a hole for ourselves and must labor to dig our way back out? But does God?

How can a perfect, omniscient, omnipotent God ever exercise longsuffering with Himself? If He has sovereignly decided, decreed, and designed these wicked non-elect, then He is really being longsuffering with Himself! His efforts exerted upon these vessels that He alone prepared reduces to a struggle with Himself!

How can He possibly exercise longsuffering with them, essentially Himself, unless He failed to foresee, control, or prepare for these exasperating beings? … *Or*, unless He gave them an option, and He now bears with their abuse of His *freedom*? … If this passage teaches Calvinism, then it contradicts Calvin’s view of a supreme God.

“He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.” Prv.28:13

“Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:7