Eschatology 9

Page 1

Death and the Afterlife

  • Concept of Election:

    • Types include:

      • Limited

      • Unlimited

      • Universal

Page 2

Definition of Election

  • Election: Refers to God's choice on who to save or not.

  • Related but distinct from predestination.

  • Three Types of Election:

    • Limited

    • Unlimited

    • Universal

  • Reference: Mark 13:27 - God gathers his elect from all corners of the earth.

Page 3

Terminology Clarity

  • While often interchangeable, election and predestination are distinct:

    • Election: More general concept of who is saved or not.

    • Predestination: Specific focus on who is foreknown to be saved or damned.

    • overlap exists between the two concepts.

Page 4

Limited Election

  • Only some will be saved based on a direct relationship with Christ.

  • Those who have not heard the Gospel cannot be saved.

  • Associated with John Calvin's double-predestination.

Page 5

Scriptural Reference: John 14:1-9

  • Context: Jesus reassures his disciples about their place with him.

  • Key Points:

    • Jesus as the way to the Father.

    • Salvation linked to knowing Christ directly.

Page 6

Implications of John 14:1-9

  • Suggests that salvation is limited to those with a direct relationship with Christ.

Page 7

Unlimited Election

  • Recognizes God's desire for all to be saved, though only some will.

  • Contrasts with double-predestination.

  • Favored in Roman Catholicism, as seen in Aquinas and Rahner.

  • Scriptural Reference: 1 Timothy 2:3-6 - God desires everyone to be saved.

Page 8

Universal Election

  • Belief that God will ultimately save all people.

  • Contrasts with limited and unlimited views which accept hell.

  • God aims to restore creation to original perfection.

  • Scriptural Reference: 1 Corinthians 15:24, 28 - God subjecting all things to himself.

Page 9

Contemporary View: David Bentley Hart

  • Affirms the belief in universal salvation.

  • Critiques the notion of God allowing some to fall into hell.

Page 10

Karl Barth's Perspectives on Election

  • Nuanced examination of the question of election in his writings.

  • Church Dogmatics: Affirms limited, unlimited, and universal election at different points.

Page 11

Barth's Limited Election

  • In first volume of Dogmatics, emphasizes revelation of God through the Word.

  • Claims that salvation can only come through a relationship with God, revealed through the Church.

Page 12

Barth's Unlimited or Universal Election

  • In fourth volume, applies predestination to Christ.

  • Believes all are elected by virtue of being in Christ, who took on mankind's rejection.

  • Universal salvation seen as a "hope" rather than a certainty.

Page 13

Consequences of Models of Election

  • Discussion Prompt:

    • For each model (limited, unlimited, universal), consider the implications for views on heaven, hell, and purgatory.