Thoughts on Calvinism v Arminianism debate in Romans 9-11? 9 and 10 almost seem to portray differing ideas.
Hmm.. I wish you were more specific. I honestly don't see how 9 & 10 can be read as differing ideas. Considering that the Apostle Paul was trained in Greek Rhetoric, let me lay out his argument and hopefully that will be helpful.
Romans 1-3
All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. Gentiles are all culpable because they sin against their own conscience. Jews are culpable because they not only sin against their own conscience but they actually have the law and still sin. Because all have sinned, the only way someone can be saved is through grace along provided through faith.
Romans 4-5
Paul recognizes the difficulty many will have by him equating Jews and Gentiles as both in need of salvation equally. Anticipating this respond Paul responds by expelling that even the Hebrew Patriarchs were justified by faith. He then explains that Justification by all of humanity must come through faith in a new Adam.
Romans 6-7
Explains the Law and how Christ fulfills it through his death and resurrection. It explains that Christ must fulfill the law so that we could be freed from the bondage of sin and made alive in Christ. Romans 7 illustrates the purpose of the Law as being a schoolmaster to people that they are sinners in need of grace.
Romans 8
Declares that their is no condemnation for anyone who embraces Christ through faith. He then explains the victorious life Christians have now until the eschaton.
Romans 9
Explains that God elects individuals to salvation. He anticipates the Arminian response, "It is unjust for God to elect people!" He rebukes such man-centered thinking and asserts that God is sovereign over salvation.
Romans 10
Explains that despite the fact of election the Gospel is still to be proclaimed to all. The reason for this is that we as finite humans do not know who is elect. Therefore, we are to be burdened for every soul and give every soul the Gospel. As we give the Gospel to all, those who respond are the elect that were described in the previous chapter. Those who do not respond continue in a state of rebellion against God's grace.
Romans 11
Reassures the Jews not to worry. Within God's elect, there is a remnant in national Israel belongs to it. Though Israel rejects Christ now, there will be a day where the Israelite elect will turn to him. However, that day is in the future and one of the means God will use to convert the elect Jews is the testimony of Gentile saints who have received the promises of God that Israel has rejected.
This is the most natural reading of Romans up until Romans 12. I welcome pushback as I am honestly not sure how you are reading Romans 9 & 10 that makes you think they are contradictory. Each chapter of Romans builds on the Previous Chapter and Romans 10 is building on Romans 9. It is explaining why the Doctrine of Election does not stifle Evangelism but strengthens it as you know that God has an elect and it is thru beautiful feet of Gospel preachers that they will come to know him.
Romans 1-3
All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. Gentiles are all culpable because they sin against their own conscience. Jews are culpable because they not only sin against their own conscience but they actually have the law and still sin. Because all have sinned, the only way someone can be saved is through grace along provided through faith.
Romans 4-5
Paul recognizes the difficulty many will have by him equating Jews and Gentiles as both in need of salvation equally. Anticipating this respond Paul responds by expelling that even the Hebrew Patriarchs were justified by faith. He then explains that Justification by all of humanity must come through faith in a new Adam.
Romans 6-7
Explains the Law and how Christ fulfills it through his death and resurrection. It explains that Christ must fulfill the law so that we could be freed from the bondage of sin and made alive in Christ. Romans 7 illustrates the purpose of the Law as being a schoolmaster to people that they are sinners in need of grace.
Romans 8
Declares that their is no condemnation for anyone who embraces Christ through faith. He then explains the victorious life Christians have now until the eschaton.
Romans 9
Explains that God elects individuals to salvation. He anticipates the Arminian response, "It is unjust for God to elect people!" He rebukes such man-centered thinking and asserts that God is sovereign over salvation.
Romans 10
Explains that despite the fact of election the Gospel is still to be proclaimed to all. The reason for this is that we as finite humans do not know who is elect. Therefore, we are to be burdened for every soul and give every soul the Gospel. As we give the Gospel to all, those who respond are the elect that were described in the previous chapter. Those who do not respond continue in a state of rebellion against God's grace.
Romans 11
Reassures the Jews not to worry. Within God's elect, there is a remnant in national Israel belongs to it. Though Israel rejects Christ now, there will be a day where the Israelite elect will turn to him. However, that day is in the future and one of the means God will use to convert the elect Jews is the testimony of Gentile saints who have received the promises of God that Israel has rejected.
This is the most natural reading of Romans up until Romans 12. I welcome pushback as I am honestly not sure how you are reading Romans 9 & 10 that makes you think they are contradictory. Each chapter of Romans builds on the Previous Chapter and Romans 10 is building on Romans 9. It is explaining why the Doctrine of Election does not stifle Evangelism but strengthens it as you know that God has an elect and it is thru beautiful feet of Gospel preachers that they will come to know him.
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Dawson Shannon