Does election make faith and obedience irrelevant?
Subject: Calvinism
Claim examined: God unconditionally selects individuals for salvation in a way that makes their response to the gospel irrelevant.
Scriptural Answer
Ephesians 1 places spiritual blessings and election in Christ. God’s purpose, grace and foreknowledge must be respected; they are not permission to omit the response taught by His apostles.
Second Thessalonians 2:13–14 describes salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, and a calling by the gospel. Second Peter 1 tells Christians to make their calling and election sure. Read the biblical qualifications with the promise rather than turning election into a reason to disregard them.
Biblical Connections — Scripture comparison
God purposes salvation in Christ → The gospel calls → Believe the truth → Make calling and election sure
These connections summarize the study. An arrow alone does not establish chronology or authority; examine the cited passages.
KJV Scriptures Used
- Ephesians 1:3–4 →
Read KJV passage
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
- 2 Thessalonians 2:13–14 →
Read KJV passage
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 2 Peter 1:10–11 →
Read KJV passage
10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Read each passage in its chapter and compare the Scriptures together.
Further Publisher Studies
- Calvinism studies — The Interactive Bible (Bible.ca) ↗
- AP Doctrinal Matters — Calvinism — Apologetics Press ↗
- Answering the Error — Gospel Broadcasting Network ↗
- GBN tract library — Gospel Broadcasting Network ↗
These outside studies remain with their publishers. They are additional reading, not the authority for this answer. Compare every claim with Scripture.