Misuse of Scripture Comes Home to Haunt the Guilty!
Misuse of Scripture Comes Home to Haunt the Guilty!
Almost every book I have read endorsing election for salvation uses Romans 9:1-33. Two verses almost universally quoted, in part or et al, are:
"...Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." -Romans 9:13 "Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth." - Romans 9:18
Bear with me, briefly, as we will return to these two verses shortly. Nettleton reveals that there is a division within the election camp. On page 20 of his book he states some endorsing election believe in a limited atonement; while he, himself, and the majority do not. In other words, they propose that Christ died for all; but chose only some to be saved. Most admit that Christ died for all because He loved all (the world). The same people who say this use Romans 9:13; Romans 9:18 to endorse their doctrine of election and contradict themselves.
Sometimes these people strain a gnat and swallow a camel! When election people say that God loves all and then grab Romans 9:13 that states "Esau have I hated," something is wrong. Remember, those endorsing election use this to support their doctrine. If God loves the world, how can it be reconciled that he hated Esau? How mixed up can one get? The verse they use (along with Romans 9:18) to support their doctrine actually refutes their false doctrine (For our coverage of Romans 9:1-33, see pages 75-87).
Two possibilities:
God became confused. He loved the world, but forgot about Esau, whom He hated. Impossible! Esau was included in God's loving the world.
Election advocates have obviously misused Romans 9:13; Romans 9:18, as it cannot be speaking of salvation or God contradicted Himself. All false doctrine is built upon misapplication of Scripture, extracted out of context. In their eagerness to support election they have misused Scripture which, in turn, has returned to haunt the guilty!
Whenever you read a book and you notice the author extracting bits and pieces of Scripture, continuously--beware! Stop immediately--go to the Bible and start examining the context. The above is only one simple illustration.
Beware! In his book Chosen to Salvation, Nettleton wastes no words in attacking those who oppose his position on election. In other words, those who would dare to speak out against him would be guilty of sin. Nettleton's words on page 15 are piercing!...
"Is it not a sin to cry out against a man who promotes the Bible doctrine of election?
One the next page (157), the last line of Nettleton's book, he states:
"God grants us wisdom. God gives us love and understanding." On one page, anyone who disagrees with Nettleton has committed sin. On the very next page he is asking for wisdom, love and understanding. Maybe if he had asked for wisdom, love and understanding first, the rest of us who oppose his position could have escaped his verdict: guilty of sin!