A Narrow Path

Unfair?

Romans 9:

13. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

14. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.

15. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

16. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.

17. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.

18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.

19. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?

20. Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

21. Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

22. What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

23. And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,

24. Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

In the previous section I made the case that not all are called to be Christians. For many – or even most – are not called. Indeed, the message of the gospel is hidden to these people. It is as if these people were born to be damned. How can these people be held accountable? Is this fair?

In fact, this issue brings up a slew of questions:

Are most people going to hell?
Are people simply predestined to go to heaven or hell?
Just what are the afterlife options, anyway?
How do we reconcile this vision with a loving God?
Are Christians simply justified by faith? Or do they have to do things?
If we are all predestined, why bother going to Church? Why not go to Hooters instead?

As the above quote indicates, St. Paul wrestled with these issues in the book of Romans. The answers may well be in this book, but I cannot be sure, as the arguments are so convoluted that I get lost. However, I can point to some answers based on other parts of the Bible. I cannot claim to have the definitive picture, but I can call into question many popular interpretations, be they Catholic or Calvinist.

This will be a long journey, with many turns, and many scriptures to read. But to get things started, let’s start with a one-liner, a line to dispel the idea that those who are called have it made:

Matthew 11:

14. For many are called, but few are chosen.

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