The covenant and Dordt (3): Election, the foundation of the covenant—Scripture and the confessions
This article explores the biblical and confessional basis for understanding election as the foundation of God's covenant of grace, drawing on passages like Ephesians 1 and the Reformed confessions (Heidelberg Catechism, Belgic Confession, Canons of Dort). It emphasizes the inseparable connection between election, covenant adoption, and Christ's role as Mediator, demonstrating how these doctrines cohere in Reformed theology.
That election and the covenant of God are linked has been noted from Ephesians 1. There, in the context of teaching eternal election in Jesus Christ (v. 3), the apostle states, "having predestinated us unto the adoption of children in Jesus Christ" (v. 5). Since in this verse predestination is a synonym for election, election is unto adoption as children. And adoption is an obvious covenant reality. This connection between the covenant and adoption is affirmed in the Reformed "Form for the...
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