Where Then Is Boasting?

Throughout the blogosphere, you will find many discussions on the theological system called Calvinism. There are some who prescribe to this theological system while others are very cautious concerning its tenets. Also, there have been discussions about Calvinism from Drs. White and Caner to Drs. Mohler and Patterson.

On one site that I visit frequently, the author wrote an entry entitled, “Unlimited Atonement and Universalism.” The blog post basically states that from unlimited atonement comes the natural outcome of universalism. This post received numerous comments between a visitor and the author. Among the discussion, irresistible grace was mentioned. With regards to irresistible grace, the commenter made a statement that I would like to comment on briefly. Just to paraphrase, the visitor asked, if a Calvinist believes that He is elect, what keeps him from boasting in being among the elect while others are not?

I would like to answer the question with what the Apostle Paul states in I Corinthians 1:30-31, �But from him you are in Christ Jesus, who for us became wisdom from God, as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.� This very statement is what keeps a Calvinist from boasting in his or her election. The Calvinist acknowledges that the Scripture teaches that salvation from beginning to end is wholly of the Lord. We do not boast in the flesh, but on the contrary, we boast in God, our Lord and Savior. The author of Hebrews also testifies to this, �keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith� (Hebrews 12:2).

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