The doctrine of unconditional election holds that no one can be saved unless God chooses to save them. God’s choice, His election, of people, according to this doctrine, ensures the salvation of those chosen in such a way that those who are elect will respond to the gospel in repentance and faith. Given that the two conditions of salvation, repentance and faith, are both gifts of God, it would seem that God’s electing choice plays a vital role in salvation as He is the giver of the conditions n...

By Mark W. Christy, PhD In a vision, an angel of the Lord appeared to Cornelius (who was unsaved at the time) and called unto him. Although shocked, Cornelius responded, “’What is it, Lord?’ And he said to him, ‘Your prayers and alms have ascended as a memorial before God’” (Acts 10:4; cf. 10:22, 33-44).[i] From this text, it seems quite clear that God is able and willing to receive prayers of those still unsaved. After all, Cornelius’ prayers and alms were accepted by God. Given this tim...

By Mark W. Christy, PhD Robert Wilkin in his book, Is Calvinism Biblical?,[i] offers an argument against the idea that regeneration precedes faith based on Christ’s words in John 6:35: “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst[ii].” From the verse that follows, it is clear that Jesus is speaking to non-believers. In John 6:35, he clearly tells non-believers to come first so that they may be saved eternally. With this in view, Wil...