God Has Chosen - by Mark R Lindsay (Paperback)

About the Book

Throughout the church's history, Christians have sought to understand the doctrine of election. On this journey through the Bible and church history, theologian Mark Lindsay turns to the various articulations of the early church fathers, John Calvin's view, the subsequent debate between Calvinists and Arminians, and Karl Barth's modern reconception of the doctrine.

Book Synopsis

"He chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world . . ."

Among the traditional tenets of the Christian faith is the belief that God chooses or elects people for salvation. For some Christians, such an affirmation is an indication of God's sovereign and perfect will. For others, such a notion is troubling for it seems to downplay the significance of human agency and choice. Throughout the church's history, Christians have sought to understand the meaning of relevant biblical texts and debated this theological conundrum.

With care and insight, theologian Mark Lindsay surveys the development of the Christian doctrine of election. After exploring Scripture on this theme, he turns to the various articulations of this doctrine from the early church fathers, including Augustine, and medieval theologians such as Aquinas, to John Calvin's view, the subsequent debate between Calvinists and Arminians, Karl Barth's modern reconception of the doctrine, and reflections on election in the shadow of the Holocaust.

On this journey through the Bible and church history, readers will discover how Christians have understood the affirmation that God has chosen.

Review Quotes

"God Has Chosen is a brilliant contribution to a biblically grounded, historically sensitive, and theologically generous vision of election. May Lindsay's plea for a more expansive and comprehensive understanding of the doctrine find a wide readership and warm reception in the academy and in the church."

About the Author

Mark R. Lindsay (PhD, University of Western Australia) is Joan F. W. Munro Professor of Historical Theology at Trinity College Theological School at the University of Divinity in Melbourne, Australia. He is the author of Reading Auschwitz with Barth; Barth, Israel and Jesus; and Covenanted Solidarity.