God's plan for the two houses of Israel - Part 2
Calvinism, a word that is linked to a myriad of doctrines, and has very real implications of how one perceives the character of God. The Calvinistic teachings are having a resurgence in colleges, seminaries, and churches, and sweeping many away into false doctrines. It must be noted that the answer to Calvinism is not Arminianism, but an understanding of God's dealing with Israel in history and prophecy.
This overview exposes the abuses that Calvinism makes in claiming for itself passages that were written concerning Israel. This article is not intended to delve into the Calvinism debate as there is little need once we see that Israel is the audience, not the "Gentile" church. Hence, our only aim is to help the reader discover the original audience - Israel. With the correct audience in view, the Calvinistic arguments are superfluous.
God foreknew, predestined, & called Israel
Notice another Calvinist proof text:
Romans 8:29-30, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."
We are told by Calvinists that God fore-chose, before the foundation of the world, who would be saved and predestinated them to this end. But, is this what the Scripture says? Do we read anything about "before the foundation of the world" here? Absolutely not! (A few verses in Ephesians are adulterated and interjected here to teach this baloney, more to come on this.)
Calvinism goes on to teach that those whom God predestinated will be saved, and those who He did not choose will be damned. In other words, it is God's choosing who will believe on Him for salvation or not. But is this what this Scripture is saying? Absolutely not! Once again, the context must be consulted which is speaking of Judah and Ephraim.
Notice above (8:29) that "whom he foreknew" is not speaking of the "Christian Gentiles," and does NOT say that God 'foresees' the future decisions of Gentile believers. Those God "foreknew," before Messiah's first coming, are Israelites! God's chosen people, whom He foreknew (knew before) in the prior centuries, were "predestinated" to be conformed to the image of God's Son. Why? That Yeshua may be the firstborn among many Hebrew "brethren." Notice further that it is God's chosen people Israel that are "foreknown" just three chapters later, and in this same context:
Romans 11:1-2, "I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he FOREKNEW. Wot ye not what the Scripture saith of Elijah? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying,"
Israel is God's foreknown people, not "Christian" Gentiles! When Westerners seek to read all the Scriptures as if we are the only thing in God's plan, it causes us to miss His plan of the ages; specifically that in relation to Israel. Israel is God's elect, His chosen people, whom He before "knew" Yeshua's first advent. It is "his people" that will be nationally saved (Romans 11:26-27), and once again be in the forefront of God's glory in the age to come.
Calvinism misses God's plan of restoration for Ephraim. Israel has been, and continues to be, God's chosen people. Now, through the grace of God, Ephraim has been given a new covenant, and may find peace with God. May we be joyful in the goodness of God which is available to all, especially in us who believe!
1 Israel, also called Ephraim, is comprised of the northern ten tribes of Israel, often referred to as 10-Israel on this site to lessen confusion. Judah is comprised of the southern two tribes; Benjamin and Judah. The tribe of Levi wasn't traditionally counted but was more heavily concentrated near the temple in Jerusalem.