When Theology Becomes a Distraction
When Theology Becomes a Distraction
It’s a grey, rain-soaked day here in Suffolk, England, as storm Goretti makes its way across the region.
So, why not make a cup of tea and sit with me on two of Christianity’s most argued-over ideas: election and predestination.
Not to win a debate. But to ask whether we’ve sometimes mistaken the argument for the point.
First: Election
In the Bible, election is always instrumental. What do I mean by that? Think about how we use elections now: you don’t elect someone just to sit there. You elect them to do something. President, Student Union Leader, Sanitation Supervisor, whatever the role, the election is for a purpose.
You’re elected to do.
Now, track this with me. The story of the Bible is about a tribe, a tribe that believed they were called to be different. Back then, tribes existed to look after themselves, build alliances, and stockpile resources to keep their own people safe. That’s just how it worked.
But this tribe? This tribe begins with a man named Abram, whose God says: I’m going to bless the whole world through you.
Note: Not just your family. Not just your people. The world.
This tribe believed their purpose wasn’t just about them; it was about the well-being of everyone else. They didn’t exist for their own comfort or survival. They existed to bless.
So when the Bible talks about election, it’s about mission, calling, and responsibility. It’s never about sitting comfortably in the “chosen” corner. It’s about being sent.
Were they always faithful to that calling?
Nope. Not even close.
That’s why Jesus keeps calling his tribe back to their original mission. To be a light to the world. To remember why they were chosen in the first place.
