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The Office of Christ in Predestination

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 February 2009

J. K. S. Reid
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Extract

The title is suggested by Saint Paul's phrase (Ephesians 1.4) “according as he hath chosen us in him,” that is in Christ. The object of this essay is to point out the meagre use made of the phrase and of the idea it conveys by the classic doctrine of Predestination, and to show the deplorable consequences that follow.

I. Calvin

It would of course be absurd to suggest that Calvin totally neglects the thought that Predestination is in Christ. Rather this is a presupposition in all he has to say about it, at least in this sense, that, challenged whether he held Predestination to be in Christ, he would unhesitatingly have affirmed that it was. But it is the fate of many presuppositions to fall into the background, if not into forgetfulness, and to exercise less influence than they should do. It is the view of the present writer that the Calvinist theology failed to draw fully upon the implications of the presupposition that Predestination is in Christ.

Two questions are well asked at this point: What is the relation of those elected to Christ? and: What is Christ's part in their election?

(i) Here the text which has already been quoted is cited by Calvin: We are in Christo electi, and we are in Christo adoptati (Inst.3.22.1). And in 3.22.2, the elect are said to be again “chosen in Christ.”

Type
Articles
Information
Scottish Journal of Theology , Volume 1 , Issue 1 , February 1948 , pp. 5 - 19
Copyright
Copyright © Scottish Journal of Theology Ltd 1948

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References

1 Most of the references made in this and the next section are to be found in Heppe's Schriften zur reformierten Theologie, Band II: Dogmatik der evangelischreformierten Kirche, 1861, and 1935 edited by E. Bizer. The work of each writer is once named, and further reference is to the same work, except where otherwise stated.