Journal: Masters Seminary Journal
Volume: TMSJ 11:1 (Spring 2000)
Article: Ephesians 1:3-4 And The Nature Of Election
Author: Leslie James Crawford

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MSJ 11:1 (Spring 2000) p. 75

Ephesians 1:3-4 And The Nature Of Election

Leslie James Crawford*

[*Editor's note: Professor Crawford is Academic Dean of the Adelaide College of Ministries, Adelaide, Australia. This article presents the principal substance of his M.Div. thesis, “An Investigation of the Nature of Election in Light of Ephesians 1:3–4, ” accepted at The Master’s Seminary in the spring of 1993.]

Ephesians 1:3–4 highlights the very important doctrine of election, but the passage is not without interpretive challenges that relate to that doctrine. An examination of individual words and phrases within the section reflects whether it supports the teaching of corporate or individual election. The two verses are part of a doxology that occupies 1:3–14 and emphasizes God’s activity in benefiting His people. Various words and phrases within the doxology that contribute toward a correct understanding of election are “He chose,” “He predestined,” “us,” “in Christ,” “holy,” “blameless,” “with every spiritual blessing,” and “in the heavenly places.” An examination of those leads to the conclusion that God in eternity past selected certain individuals to receive a comprehensive spiritual package that includes justification and adoption. The two verses rule out the position of corporate election and support an individual, unconditional view of election.

* * * * *

The subject of election has been a controversial one in the history of the church.1 Two opposing viewpoints have traditionally dominated the debate: unconditional, individual election (normally associated with a Calvinistic theology) and conditional individual election (normally associated with an Arminian theology). This scenario is changing and a third view is becoming increasingly popular.

The last four decades have brought an increasing number of books that advocate a corporate view on the subject of election.2 The view first denies

MSJ 11:1 (Spring 2000) p. 76

individual election to salvation and then teaches that all instances where individuals are chosen in Scripture are appointments to service. A Christian is only elect by virtue of Christ’s election, not on account of a pretemporal choice by God out of the mass of fallen humanity. It is at the point of conversion, i.e., a believer’s incorporation into the church, that election could be said to apply to any individual.

Though the topic of election is ...

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