Not Chosen To Salvation
By Dr. Max D. Younce, Pastor
HERITAGE BAPTIST BIBLE CHURCH
P.O. Box 573| Walnut Grove, MN 56180 | Telephone (507) 859-2519
CHAPTER SIX
SUMMARY
As you have read through this book, I am sure you have noticed the repetition of some verses. This was done, purposely, for emphasis. Verses that reveal God's will and man's free will should be gone over and memorized for ready use in opposition to this false doctrine. The more Scriptures you are familiar with, the more difficult it will be for Nettleton and others to extract bits and pieces of Scripture on which to build their doctrine of election.
The "doctrine of election to salvation" places Scripture in one place in direct opposition with Scripture in other places. For example, in 2nd Peter 3:9 the Lord said He is...
"...not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (i.e., a change of mind)."
If it is not God's will that any should perish, then why did He fail to elect the ones who are going to perish? The election people will throw the contradiction they have created back on God so He can take full responsibility for the false doctrine they have manufactured. They tell us it is a deep doctrine, as we cannot understand God's mind! Nettleton's words on page 165 would seem to verify this:
"When we consider the doctrine of election, we are studying the deepest doctrinal matter of time and eternity. The very nature of God is facing us, and His ways 'past finding out.' "
Nettleton would have you believe that you cannot understand God's ways, yet God disagrees with Nettleton by revealing to us His ways. God has revealed that all mankind has sinned (Romans 3:23). God has revealed that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). God has revealed that He loves the world (all sinners). God has revealed that Christ paid for the sins of the world. God has revealed that anyone (whosoever) may have eternal life (John 3:16). In conclusion, Nettleton's philosophy fades away as God's will surfaces and illuminates...
"Who will have all men to saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."
1st Timothy 2:4
Misuse of Scripture Comes Home to Haunt the Guilty!
Almost every book I have read endorsing election for salvation uses Roman, chapter 9. 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 and 18 to endorse their doctrine of election.
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 verse 18) to support their doctrine actually refutes their false doctrine (For our coverage of Romans 9, see pages 32-39).
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 and 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? (Underline is mine).
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!
Nettleton's Doctrine of Election Promoted
On the back of Nettleton's book appears the following:
"Dr. Nettleton's writings include Sunday School Curriculum for Regular Baptist Press, and articles for the Baptist Bulletin."
After writing an entire book endorsing election, you can rest assured, Nettleton's teachings will surface in his Sunday School material. You have a choice to make--do you want your children taught the doctrine of election for salvation in Sunday School? Allow me to challenge you to recapitulate over your Sunday School material to see how much of Nettleton's teaching you can discover. You, then, have a choice--will you stand on your convictions equally as strong as Nettleton does? May we always be comforted by God's Word when speaking out against false doctrine.
"So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
Hebrews 13:6
We are now faced with a decision:
"For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ."
How sad when we talk about our teenagers and the peer pressure they face; but bow ourselves to the peer pressure of organizations and fellowships. God gave us a free will and we are held fully responsible for the decisions we make (Psalms 118:8 and Proverbs 30:6).
Dr. Max D. Younce, Pastor
HERITAGE BAPTIST BIBLE CHURCH
P.O. Box 573
Walnut Grove, MN 56180
Telephone (507) 859-2519
Web: www.heritagebbc.com
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