Calvinism
Teacher
Lesson Summary
Teacher Larry Johnson presented a careful examination of divine election and predestination as presented in Romans 9, one of the passages most frequently cited by Calvinist theologians. Johnson established ground rules for respectful dialogue about differing theological perspectives, acknowledging that ultimate judgment belongs to God alone. The class reviewed the concept of God's omniscience and infinite foreknowledge, emphasizing that God knows all things simultaneously and exhaustively, not through learning or observation. Johnson then challenged the popular Calvinist interpretation of Romans 9:10-13 regarding Jacob and Esau, which claims this passage demonstrates that God arbitrarily predestined individuals to salvation or damnation apart from any human effort or merit. By examining the actual historical narratives of Jacob and Esau from the Old Testament, Johnson demonstrated that God's "love" for Jacob and "hate" for Esau were not about individual salvation but rather about God's choice of Jacob's line (and ultimately the Messiah) over Esau's line as the vehicle for God's redemptive purpose. Both men received blessings, wealth, and descendants; both also faced national judgment for idolatry. Johnson illustrated how Jesus Christ himself provides the perfect model of combining predestination in purpose with genuine human free will, showing that being chosen and predestined does not eliminate personal choice.