CHOSEN IN CHRIST:
Revisiting the Contours of Predestination
By Cornelis Venema
Christian Focus. 403 pages. £13.99
ISBN 978 1 527 102 354
Yet another book on election and predes-tination? Aren’t there already many good books on this topic in the Christian world, both from past centuries as well as more recently?
That might be one reaction on seeing the title of this recent volume on election and predestination. How much do we really need another book on a subject that is the theme of many detailed studies? Indeed the ‘Recommended Resources’ on final pages of this book might be said to bear witness to the riches already available on these matters!
The author, a Professor of Doctrinal Studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary, USA, appreciates that such comments may be a reaction to the book. He explains that he wants to revisit the doctrine of predestination to re-familiarise the church with what the Scriptures teach about God’s sovereignty in salvation and, in an enlightening introduction, spells out his reasons for writing nearly 400 pages on this topic. In particular, he acknowledges various challenges the doctrine brings, both in accurately understanding its biblical basis, and also in facing difficulties that need to be noted and faced.
If you struggle with this doctrine, this book is for you! If you want fresh reassurance that the Reformed view is truly biblical, this book is for you! Venema does not merely retrace old ground, but also faces many historic and contemporary challenges. It is in applying what he sees as vital biblical teaching on predestination that he is particularly helpful.
He looks at election in Old and New Testaments, in the teaching of Augustine, Reformation theology, the Arminian doctrine of conditional election, Karl Barth’s discussion of ‘God’s election to be the God who is for us in Jesus Christ’, and a penultimate chapter on ‘Neo-Arminianism: free will or open-theism – God neither elects nor foreknows those whom he will save’. These chapters are packed with informed discussion, written in an accessible manner, with plenty of footnotes for those who wish to dig deeper into some of the debates. I found his discussions of pastoral significance and application to living the Christian life of particular help. These comments are found throughout the book, but particularly in his final chapter, which discusses specific problems believers might have with this doctrine. He looks at such questions as: ‘Doesn’t election unduly complicate the simplicity of the gospel?’; ‘Is God unjust or unfair in electing some and not others?’; ‘Are the elect few in number?’; Doesn’t election diminish the urgency of evangelism?’; ‘What about the well-meant gospel offer?’; ‘What about human freedom and responsibility?’; ‘How can we be assured of election and salvation?’. His responses to these questions are challenging and honest, and he is not afraid to acknowledge the difficulty that providing satisfactory responses to these issues sometimes gives.
Would an Arminian be convinced by this book?! I suspect that depends on how such a person feels about how fairly Venema treats their beliefs. I think he is usually even-handed in his representations, although occasionally he sets up a straw man. Thus, for example, at several points he implies that those who don’t see election in a Reformed way are those who wish to ascribe part of their salvation to human merit or worthiness, or performance or achievement (see pages 13, 45, 48, 89, 121, 211, 341, 361). Maybe it’s just the Arminians I’ve met, but such would strenuously deny they see salvation in this way … To say ‘yes’ to a gift offered is not to claim any merit at all…
So overall, a very fine book indeed. Sometimes it is a little hard going, and some details are quite closely and finely drawn, and need much concentration. (A detailed index helps one to find whatever issues one wants to consider). But Venema’s honesty, his deep scholarship, his thoroughness, his pastoral awareness and humble attitude are winsome and engaging.
His overall aim is to enable believers to break out into doxology and give praise and thanksgiving to God for his graciousness and kindness. He achieves this aim!
