The Joker/Jester Asks “Why ‘Chosen’?”

Last updated on: December 20, 2021 at 8:37 am by Roger E. Olson

The Joker/Jester Asks “Why ‘Chosen’?” 2021-12-20T08:37:49-05:00 Roger E. Olson

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

You Are Chosen, Loved, Accepted by God - Crossmap Inspiration - YouTube

For those new to this series, occasionally I take on the role of a church-appointed joker or jester, someone given by the church the right without penalty to question anything—anything said or done by the church, its leaders especially, but also customs, habits, traditions of the congregation or denomination. It is my strongly held belief, based on many years of experiences in numerous American Christian congregations, that many of them (and denominations) develop beliefs, customs, traditions, habits that deserve to be questioned because they may be untrue, unhelpful, detrimental to the health of the kingdom of God that God is building.

Over the last few years, especially, I have seen printed and heard spoken the word “chosen”—by Christians. Insofar as the word is used by Calvinists for the “elect,” I understand it even if I disagree with the theology in which it is used.

However, increasingly, I have read and heard “chosen” used by Christians in highly dubious ways. Here is one example. Recently I drove past an evangelical mega-church that I happen to know quite well. It is not Calvinist. I would compare it in style to Bethel Church in Redding, California—a strong emphasis on the gift of prophecy for all Christians. It is semi- or quasi-charismatic. It was sociologists of religion used to call “Third Wave” and I would call “Renewalist.” Not Pentecostal, not exactly charismatic, but more like those and unlike those.

The big sign outside the church now reads “You Are Chosen and Loved.” Below that is a subtitle slogan about Christmas. “You are chosen?” The sign is aimed at every motorist and cyclist and pedestrian going by the church on the six lane thoroughfare that runs through the city. “You Are Chosen?” I would ask the church’s leaders to whom that “you” refers. Semantically, it refers to all people without exception. There are no qualifiers on the sign that would indicate otherwise.

*Sidebar: The opinions expressed here are my own (or those of the guest writer); I do not speak for any other person, group or organization; nor do I imply that the opinions expressed here reflect those of any other person, group or organization unless I say so specifically. Before commenting read the entire post and the “Note to commenters” at its end.*

What church or denomination believes all people are chosen by God?

Someone might quibble that perhaps the person who put that statement on the sign did not mean “chosen by God,” but who else would it mean? Chosen by the church? That doesn’t make sense. I can only assume it means “chosen by God.” Again, I would ask what church or denomination of Christians ever believed that all people are chosen by God? And where does the Bible even imply that all people, without exception, are chosen by God and for what?

It seems to me that the word “chosen” is becoming a “catch-word,” a slogan word, a word that appeals to people emotionally—but not for any reason of truth. As I have said here numerous times before, truth seems not to be particularly important anymore and increasingly that is the case among Christians, not just postmodern secularists.

“You are chosen” gives a warm, fuzzy feeling, but what does it mean? Well, said within a religious context, it means that God has selected you—everyone, in this case—to be saved.

Again, someone might quibble and say “But that is the gospel! God has chosen everyone to potentially be saved!” Sorry, that is not what “You are chosen and loved” on a church sign conveys. And if everyone is “chosen,” then no one in particular is chosen. “Chosen” naturally implies “selected”—selected out of a group. That’s normal language.

So, again I ask, what denomination or church or tradition actually believes that all people are “chosen?” Well, that would be Universalists, now part of the Unitarian-Universalist Fellowship of Churches. Oh, there might be a few others who believe all people are selected by God for salvation. Allegedly two or three ancient church fathers believed in universal salvation. But I am just about as sure as possible that this particular church, the one with the sign that reads “You Are Chosen and Loved” is not universalist in its soteriology—theology of salvation.

So why would a conservative Protestant church say to everyone “You Are Chosen?” I can only assume because it sounds good; it gives off a “good vibe.” But is it true? Is it what the church really believes? As a Christian theologian I will say it is not true and I am almost certain it is not what the church in question believes.

“Chosen.” What is that? Why is the word seemingly suddenly so popular among even conservative Christians? Until I am convinced otherwise I will continue to believe it is only because it is thought to be emotionally appealing, not because it is actually believed.

My call here is for all churches to be cautious with language and only use words and phrases that are consistent with their actual beliefs.

If I see “You Are Chosen” on a sign in front of a church I will assume one of two things. Either it is a Calvinist church and the “You” refers only to the elect, or it is a church that doesn’t think and speak clearly. It sends an “uncertain sound”—probably to appeal to people’s feelings but hiding what it actually believes.

Now, finally, I know there are some Christians who say they believe that all people are “chosen” by God for salvation in and through Jesus Christ and potentially saved if they will allow themselves to be saved. Again, I think the word “chosen” is misused there. In its natural sense, “chosen” means “selected out of a group of alike objects.”

I open myself to the accusation of being pedantic. This would not be the first time. “Pedantic” means “teaching.” That’s me. My vocation is teaching. So I take “pedantic” as a compliment even though in today’s culture and common language it is often used as an insult (as in “nit-picky”).

By now, if you are biblically literate, you should have thought of Matthew 22:14: “Many are called, but few are chosen.” I didn’t quote that verse—spoken by Jesus himself—until now because I wanted to find out how many readers would think of it and wonder why “You Are Chosen” would ever be aimed at everyone by an evangelical, Bible-believing and teaching church.

*Note to commenters: This blog is not a discussion board; please respond with a question or comment only to me. If you do not share my evangelical Christian perspective (very broadly defined), feel free to ask a question for clarification, but know that this is not a space for debating incommensurate perspectives/worldviews. In any case, know that there is no guarantee that your question or comment will be posted by the moderator or answered by the writer. If you hope for your question or comment to appear here and be answered or responded to, make sure it is civil, respectful, and “on topic.” Do not comment if you have not read the entire post and do not misrepresent what it says. Keep any comment (including questions) to minimal length; do not post essays, sermons or testimonies here. Do not post links to internet sites here. This is a space for expressions of the blogger’s (or guest writers’) opinions and constructive dialogue among evangelical Christians (very broadly defined).

Uncategorized

Previous Post

December 13, 2021

A Movie about Calvinism?

Next Post

December 26, 2021 The Sorry Condition of Christian Ethics

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Against Liberal Theology Uncategorized

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was the name of the garden where Jesus prayed before His arrest?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Eden Gethsemane Bethany Golgotha