Paul's understanding and use of the concept of election in Romans 9-11
This thesis contends that Paul is wholly consistent in his understanding and use of the concept of election in Romans 9-11. Drawing upon both Old Testament teaching and a double predestinarian tradition finding its most coherent and reasoned expression in the Dead Sea Scrolls, Paul employs the concept of election in Romans 9 to demonstrate how God may be considered faithful to His covenant with Israel. At present, the Creator honors His word by selecting out of ethnic Israel those whom He has predestined as children of promise. These comprise true Israel, and are recognized in Paul's day as Jews embracing Jesus as Messiah. Along with believing Gentiles, they constitute the ~vessels of mercy predestined to eschatological glory.~ The remainder of Israel is hardened into unbelief, and viewed as ~vessels of wrath prepared for destruction.~ Thus, in Romans 9 Paul dismisses a purely nationalistic concept of election in favor of an Israel formed by God's sovereign election of individuals to salvation. Romans 11, however, seems to overrule this individualized perspective of election. Paul declares that God has not completely or finally rejected unbelieving, ethnic Israel. As a corporate entity, through the existence
Elass, Mateen Assaad
Bible; Predestination; Israel; Salvation history
Paul's understanding and use of the concept of election in Romans 9-11. This thesis contends that Paul is wholly consistent in his understanding and use of the concept of election in Romans 9-11. Drawing upon both Old Testament teaching and a double predestinarian tradition finding its most coherent and reasoned expression in the Dead Sea Scrolls, Paul employs the concept of election in Romans 9 to demonstrate how God may be considered faithful to His covenant with Israel. At present, the Creator honors His word by selecting out of ethnic Israel those whom He has predestined as children of promise. These comprise true Israel, and are recognized in Paul's day as Jews embracing Jesus as Messiah. Along with believing Gentiles, they constitute the ~vessels of mercy predestined to eschatological glory.~ The remainder of Israel is hardened into unbelief, and viewed as ~vessels of wrath prepared for destruction.~ Thus, in Romans 9 Paul dismisses a purely nationalistic concept of election in favor of an Israel formed by God's sovereign election of individuals to salvation. Romans 11, however, seems to overrule this individualized perspective of election. Paul declares that God has not completely or finally rejected unbelieving, ethnic Israel. As a corporate entity, through the existence
paul_use concept election romans contend paul wholly consistent use concept election romans drawing_upon old_testament teach double tradition find coherent reason expression dead_sea_scrolls paul employ concept election romans god may_consider faithful covenant israel present creator honor word select ethnic israel child promise comprise true israel recognize paul day jews embrace jesus messiah along believe gentiles constitute vessels mercy eschatological glory remainder israel viewed vessels prepare destruction thus romans paul purely nationalistic concept election favor israel form god sovereign election individual salvation romans however seem perspective election paul declare god completely finally reject ethnic israel corporate entity existence