The ideas of "predestination" and "election" in Pauline thought

Abstract

It is a matter of fact that Paul uses in his letters the ideas, and also the terminology of "predestination" and "election". This study tries to answer the question of how Paul used the terms which belong to this semantic-field, and where he incorporated them in his thought. Therefore, our study is mainly an exegetical one. It interprets texts from several letters, like the texts from Rom 1.1-7; 8.28-30; lCor 1.20-31 etc. In a final chapter we will also interpret those texts from Rom 9-11 which contain this idea, and which use first of all the terms that belong to our theme. However, we found the texts with the help of a concordance by looking up verbs like χαλέω, or όρίζω, and by taking into account nouns like χλήσις, and έχλογή. The texts are all interpreted in a contextual verse-by-verse exegesis, and with the help ot the usual methods of contemporary New Testament interpretation. Already the way we arranged our texts in the "Table of Contents" is a first outcome and result of our exegetical work. We arranged them according to the overall-themes in which the texts appeared, that contained this terminology, which was either the context of "proem", and "prescript"; or the context of "consolation", and "exhortation"; and the problem of the believing Gentiles, and the unbelieving Jews. Finally, on the basis of our interpretation of these texts, we attempt to gain new insight into this theological topic by relating them to the question of "ecclesiology". The author is convinced that only a new understanding of the church will bring forth a new, and strengthened understanding at the ideas of "predestination" and "election" which can be made fruitful for our work in the church of today.