GOD’S GLORY AND COMPASSION FOR PEOPLE RELATE TO THE DOCTRINE

OF ELECTION AND THE INDISCRIMINATE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL

Research Paper

By
Rojar Paul
Biblical Theology of Mission
Dr. Pari

Master of Theology
Church on the Rock Theological Seminary
Visakhapatnam
S.NO. CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

1. DEFINITIONS
1.2. God’s Glory
1.3. Compassion
1.4. Doctrine of Election
1.5. Indiscriminate preaching of the gospel
2. THE INTERSECTION OF ELECTION AND GOSPEL PREACHING
2.1. Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
2.2. Preaching to All
2.3. Mystery of Election
2.4. God's Redemptive Plan
2.5. Election and Evangelism
3. OTHER THEOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING OF ELECTION AND
INDISCRIMINATE GOSPEL PREACHING
3.1. Arminian Theology
3.2. Molinism
3.3. Inclusivism
3.4. Universalism
4. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCH AND BELIEVERS
4.1. Rejection of Exclusivism
4.2. A Sense of Urgency
4.3. Encouragement in Evangelism
4.4. Understanding of God's Glory and Compassion Impacts Individual Believers
4.5. The Role of The Church in Promoting Both Election and Indiscriminate Gospel
Preaching
4.6. Equipping People for Missional Living
4.7. The Responsibility of Believers in The Task of God’s Mission
5. MISSIOLOGICAL IMPLICATION
6. RECOMMENDATIONS

CONCLUSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY

2
INTRODUCTION

God's glory and compassion for people are profound theological concepts that intersect with
the doctrine of election and the indiscriminate preaching of the Gospel. These themes form
the foundation of Christian mission and evangelism, shaping the way believers understand
their role in spreading the message of salvation to all nations and people groups. Firstly, this
research paper will explore the intersection of election and gospel preaching, the mystery of
God’s redemptive plan, and secondly, deals with various theological understandings of
election and indiscriminate gospel preaching. Thirdly, will examine the practical implications
for the Church and individual believers in fulfilling the mission of proclaiming the Gospel to
all, guided by God's glory and compassion for humanity. Finally, close with missiological
implication, recommendations and conclusions.

1. DEFINITIONS
1.1. God’s Glory

The glory of God is the magnificence, worth, loveliness, and grandeur of his many
perfections, which he displays in his creative and redemptive acts in order to make his glory
known to those in his presence. The concept of God’s glory is a deep part of Christian
theology. It serves as a reminder of God’s perfection, His love for creation, and His ultimate
purpose for humanity’s redemption.1

1.2. Compassion

Compassion is the translation of racham, “be merciful” (Deuteronomy 13:17). The God of the
New Testament, clearly revealed as “a God full of compassion.” It extends to the whole
human race, for which He effected not merely a temporal, but a spiritual and eternal,
deliverance, giving up His own Son to the death of the cross in order to save humanity from
the worst bondage of sin.2

1.3. Doctrine of Election

Election is the eternal act of God with respect to all who are saved, by which, out of pure
grace and for Christ’s sake He purposed to endow them in time with the spiritual blessings of
conversion, justification, sanctification, and preservation unto eternal life.3

1
Christopher Morgan, “The Glory of God,” https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-glory-of-
god/, (26/07/2023).
2
James Orr, General Editor, “COMPASSION”, “International Standard Bible Encyclopedia”, 1915,
https://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/compassion.html, (25/07/2023).
3
R. C. Sproul, Chosen by God (e-book: Tyndale Elevate, 2011), 20.

3
 1.4. Indiscriminate preaching of the gospel
Indiscriminate preaching of the gospel refers to the act of spreading the message of the
Gospel without judgement or excluding. It means sharing the good news of salvation through
Jesus Christ with all people, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or social status.4
2. THE INTERSECTION OF ELECTION AND GOSPEL PREACHING

The intersection of election and gospel preaching is a complex and significant topic in
Christian theology. It revolves around the relationship between God's sovereign choice in
election and the call for Christians to proclaim the gospel to all people gospel preaching.5

2.1. Divine Sovereignty and Human Responsibility

The doctrine of election emphasizes God's sovereignty in choosing individuals for salvation.
It teaches that God, out of His own will and purpose, elects some people to be recipients of
His saving grace.6 This choice is not based on any merit or foreseen actions of the individuals
but solely on God's mercy and grace (Ephesians 1:4-5, Romans 9:11-13). On the other hand,
gospel preaching highlights the human responsibility to share the message of salvation with
all people (Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8). The tension between divine sovereignty and human
responsibility is at the heart of this intersection.

2.2. Preaching to All

The Bible calls believers to proclaim the gospel to all nations and people groups (Mark 16:15,
Acts 13:47). The indiscriminate preaching of the gospel reflects God's universal love and
desire for all people to hear the message of salvation.7 Christians are encouraged to spread the
good news, knowing that God's compassion extends to all humanity, and He desires the
salvation of everyone (2 Peter 3:9, 1 Timothy 2:4).

2.3. Mystery of Election

While the Bible affirms the reality of election, it also acknowledges that the ways of God are
often beyond human understanding (Romans 11:33). The mystery of how divine election and
human responsibility intersect is not fully comprehensible to us. But, the Bible encourages

4
Christianity Matters, A Gospel-Centered Perspective on All Things Christian,
https://christianitymatters.com/2014/04/23/spread-the-gospel-indiscriminately/, (26/07/2023).
5
Paul Helm, The Sovereignty of God and Evangelis, https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/the-
sovereignty-of-god-and-evangelism, (26/07/2023).
6
Benjamin L. Merkle, What Is the Doctrine of Election? https://www.crossway.org/articles/what-is-
the-doctrine-of-election/, (26/07/2023).
7
Fred Zaspel, The Free Offer of the Gospel, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/free-offer-
gospel/, (26/07/2023).

4
believers to trust in God's wisdom and love, knowing that He is just and righteous in all His
ways.8

2.4. God's Redemptive Plan

The intersection of election and gospel preaching points to God's redemptive plan for
humanity. Even though God has His elect whom He has chosen for salvation, gospel
preaching is a means through which God brings people to faith and brings them to Himself.9
Through the preaching of the gospel, the elect is called to repentance and faith in Christ
(Romans 10:14-15).

2.5. Election and Evangelism

The doctrine of election can serve as a motivation for gospel preaching. Knowing that God
has His chosen ones, believers are encouraged to share the gospel boldly, trusting that God
will use their efforts to call His elect to Himself. At the same time, gospel preaching is a
demonstration of obedience to Christ's command and a response to God's love and
compassion for all people.10

The tension between election and gospel preaching remains a profound mystery, reminding
believers of their dependence on God's wisdom and the need to trust in His perfect plan for
the salvation of humanity.

3. OTHER THEOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING OF ELECTION AND

INDISCRIMINATE GOSPEL PREACHING

Certainly, the intersection of election and indiscriminate gospel preaching has been a subject
of theological exploration and debate within Christianity. Different theological traditions and
perspectives offer varying understandings of these concepts. Some theological viewpoints
are:

3.1. Arminian Theology

8
Paul Chua Wang, The Purpose of Election in Romans 9:11: Rethinking the Doctrine of Predestination
Through the Theology of the Cross,
https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/75530/5/Wang_Paul_C_201611_PhD_thesis.pdf, (27/07/2023).
9
Christopher J. H. Wright, The Mission of God’s People (USA: Zondervan, 2009), 37.
10
Pieter Verster, Evangelism and election: Is there an answer to the challenges?
https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_6_vol_104_1__2023.pdf, (27/07/2023).

5
Arminians emphasize the universal offer of salvation to all people. They believe that God's
grace is available to everyone, and the gospel should be proclaimed to all without
distinctions.11

3.2. Molinism

According to Molinism, God, based on this middle knowledge, selects the circumstances and
situations that allow individuals to come to faith and respond to the gospel.12

3.3. Inclusivism

Inclusivists affirm the uniqueness of Christ's work of salvation, they argue that God's grace
can reach people in ways beyond their conscious knowledge of the gospel.13

3.4. Universalism

Universalists believe that God's love will eventually lead all individuals to salvation.14

It's important to note that these theological perspectives represent various interpretations of
election and gospel preaching.

4. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR THE CHURCH AND BELIEVERS

The theological understanding of election and indiscriminate gospel preaching has significant
practical implications for the Church and believers. Emphasizing the importance of
proclaiming the gospel to all people should lead to active evangelism and missions’15 efforts
within the Church.

4.1. Rejection of Exclusivism

From those theological perspectives that emphasize God's love and grace reaching beyond
explicit knowledge of the gospel, believers should reject exclusivism and embrace a broader
view of God's redemptive work. This can lead to a more open and inclusive attitude toward
those from different religious or cultural backgrounds.16

11
Robert A. Peterson, Election and Free Will: God’s Gracious Choice and Our Responsibility
(Phillipsburg: P&R, 2007), 2.
12
Kenneth Keathley, Salvation and Sovereignty: A Molinist Approach,
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/review/salvation-and-sovereignty-a-molinist-approach/,
(26/07/2023).
13
Robert McKim, Inclusivism about Salvation,
https://academic.oup.com/book/3920/chapter-abstract/145489274?redirectedFrom=fulltext, (26/07/2023).
14
Roger D. Campbell, The truth about the doctrine of Universalism,
http://klangchurchofchrist.org/the-truth-about-the-doctrine-of-universalism, (26/07/2023).
15
Ligonier Editorial, Evangelism and Missions, https://www.ligonier.org/guides/evangelism-and-
missions, (26/07/2023).

6
 4.2. A Sense of Urgency

Believers are called to have a sense of urgency in sharing the gospel, knowing that the eternal
destiny of individuals is at stake. This urgency should drive the Church to be proactive in
fulfilling its mission of making Christ known to all.17

4.3. Encouragement in Evangelism

Encouragement in evangelism is not only an essential aspect of fulfilling the Great

Commission but also a transformative force within the Church and the lives of individual
believers. It empowers believers, strengthens the Church’s witness, adopts unity, and expands
prayer, resulting in the enlargement of God’s kingdom and the reflection of His heart in the
world. It is essential for the Church and believers to find encouragement in the certainty of
God’s love and the promise of His redemptive plan.18

4.4. Understanding of God’s Glory and Compassion Impacts Individual

Believers

The understanding of God's glory and compassion significantly impacts individual believers.
It nurtures humility, worship, surrender, and obedience, as well as trust, faith, and
compassion for others. It motivates evangelism and missions, brings comfort in difficult
times, influences humane and just actions, and contributes to personal transformation and a
sense of life's purpose. As believers grasp God's compassion for humanity, they are
encouraged to display compassion and love toward others.19 Understanding that God has
shown mercy to them leads to a desire to extend the same love and grace to those around
them. God's compassion and His desire to see all people come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9)
motivates believers to engage in evangelism and missions. They become driven to share the
message of God's love and salvation with others, desiring to see more people come to know
Him.

4.5. The Role of The Church in Promoting Both Election And Indiscriminate
Gospel Preaching

The Church plays a crucial role in promoting both election and indiscriminate Gospel
preaching through various means. To equip its members for effective evangelism, the Church

16
Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church: Growth without Compromising Your Message and
Mission the Purpose- Driven (Zondervan Pub: Newburgh, 2008), 10-22.
17
Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church…, 20-23.
18
Rick Warren…, 15.
19
John Piper, Seeing and Savouring Jesus Christ (Crossway: Wheaton, 2001), 75-80.

7
can conduct evangelism workshops, training sessions, and provide resources that address
diverse cultural contexts, fostering better communication of the Gospel message. And it is
essential for the Church to remain sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit in all its
endeavours. By relying on the Spirit's guidance, the Church ensures that its evangelistic
efforts align with God's will and purposes, reflecting a faithful commitment to proclaiming
the Gospel to all people, while acknowledging God's sovereignty in the process of salvation.
The Church must emphasize the call to indiscriminate gospel preaching, in alignment with
the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). It should motivate and equip believers to share
the gospel boldly with everyone they encounter, without discrimination based on race,
ethnicity, or social status.20

4.6. Equipping People for Missional Living

Equipping people for missional living is a dynamic endeavour within the life of the Church. It
involves empowering individuals to embrace their identity as ambassadors of Christ, called to
live out the Gospel in their everyday lives and spheres of influence. Through intentional
discipleship, teaching, and practical training, the Church equips its members to boldly and
compassionately engage with their communities, seeking to meet tangible needs and share the
transformative message of God's love. Missional living encourages believers to cultivate a
lifestyle of authenticity, humility, and intentional relationships, becoming conduits of God's
grace and agents of positive change in a broken world.21 As individuals are equipped to
embody the Gospel through their words and actions, the Church fulfils its mission to make
disciples who, in turn, make an enduring impact for the Kingdom of God.

4.7. The Responsibility of Believers in The Task of God’s Mission

It is a fundamental aspect of believers’ faith and obedience to Christ's command.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." -
Matthew 28:19-20 (ESV)

This commission, identify several key aspects of believers' responsibility in proclaiming the
Gospel without discrimination. The Great Commission makes it clear that the Gospel is for
all nations, all people groups, and all individuals. In proclaiming the Gospel, believers should
20
J I Packer, Evangelism and The Sovereignty of God,
https://archive.org/details/EvangelismAndTheSovereigntyOfGodJIPacker_201803/page/n3/mode/2up,
(26/07/2023).
21
Timothy Keller, Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City (Grand
Rapids: Michigan, 2012), 280-293.

8
exemplify Christ's compassion and love and demonstrating genuine care and concern for
others helps break down barriers and establishes a foundation for effective communication.

Proclaiming the Gospel without discrimination means overcoming cultural, linguistic, and
social barriers. It involves reaching out to diverse communities and adapting communication
methods to effectively share the message with people from various backgrounds. Believers
should trust in the power of the Gospel itself and the work of the Holy Spirit. It is God who
transforms hearts and draws people to Himself, regardless of their background or
circumstances.22 As believers submissively engage in this mission, guided by love, humility,
and the leading of the Spirit, they participate in the fulfilling work of reconciling people from
all walks of life to God through Jesus Christ.

5. MISSIOLOGICAL IMPLICATION

The responsibility of believers in the task of God’s mission is a fundamental aspect of their
faith and obedience to Christ’s command. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) calls
believers to go and make disciples of all nations, proclaiming the Gospel without
discrimination. This commission emphasizes that the Gospel is for everyone, and believers
are entrusted with the responsibility to share it with genuine compassion and love. Disabling
cultural, linguistic, and social barriers, believers should reach out to various communities,
adapting their approach to effectively communicate the message. While carrying out this
mission, believers must trust in the power of the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit,
recognizing that it is God who transforms hearts and draws people to Himself. Embracing
this responsibility, believers participate in the fulfilling work of reconciling people from all
walks of life to God through Jesus Christ.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Here are some recommendations on how God’s glory and compassion relate to the doctrine
of election and the indiscriminate preaching of the Gospel.

 God's glory in His sovereignty helps believers trust in His divine wisdom and
purposes, even when it comes to the mystery of election.
 Realizing that God's choice to save humanity is an act of His grace and not something
to merit

22
Lesslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society,
https://www.alisonmorgan.co.uk/Books/Newbigin%2089%20-%20Pluralist.pdf, 26/07/2023).

9
  Knowing the message of salvation is for everyone, and believers should share it
without discrimination, considering no one beyond the reach of God's love and
redemption.
 Rely on the transformative power of the Gospel itself and the work of the Holy Spirit.
It is God who changes hearts, and believers can trust that the Gospel has the power to
impact lives, irrespective of human limits.
 Finally, respond to God’s glory and compassion by walking in obedience and faith.
Trust in His leading as believer engages in evangelism and confidently share the
Gospel, knowing that He is at work to draw people to Himself through the message of
salvation.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the theological concepts of God’s glory, compassion for people, the doctrine of
election, and the indiscriminate preaching of the Gospel are linked and hold deep
implications for Christian mission and evangelism. Admitting God’s glory and compassion
fuels a missional focus, inspiring believers to engage in evangelism and missions, reaching
out to all people with the message of salvation. The Church’s role is critical in promoting
both election and indiscriminate Gospel preaching, equipping believers, and seeking God’s
guidance through prayer. Finally, this theological understanding leads to compassionate
outreach, unity in diversity, and a kingdom-oriented perspective in fulfilling the mission of
proclaiming the Gospel to all nations. This theological context serves as a foundation for
missiological endeavours, driving the Church’s mission to reach the lost, and embodying the
heart of God’s redemptive plan for humanity.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

10
Keller, Timothy. Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City.
Grand Rapids: Michigan, 2012.

Peterson, Robert A. Election and Free Will: God’s Gracious Choice and Our Responsibility.
Phillipsburg: P&R, 2007.

Piper, John. Seeing and Savouring Jesus Christ. Crossway: Wheaton, 2001.

Sproul, R. C. Chosen by God. e-book: Tyndale Elevate, 2011.

Warren, Rick. The Purpose Driven Church: Growth without Compromising Your Message
and Mission the Purpose- Driven. Zondervan Pub: Newburgh, 2008.

Wright J. H, Christopher. The Mission of God’s People. USA: Zondervan, 2009.

WEBIBLIOGRAPHY

Campbell, Roger D. The truth about the doctrine of Universalism,

http://klangchurchofchrist.org/the-truth-about-the-doctrine-of-universalism,
(26/07/2023).

Chua Wang, Pau. The Purpose of Election in Romans 9:11: Rethinking the Doctrine of
Predestination Through the Theology of the Cross,
https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/bitstream/1807/75530/5/Wang_Paul_C_201611_Ph
D_thesis.pdf, (27/07/2023).

Christianity Matters, A Gospel-Centered Perspective on All Things Christian,

https://christianitymatters.com/2014/04/23/spread-the-gospel-indiscriminately/,
(26/07/2023).

Helm, Paul. The Sovereignty of God and Evangelism,

https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/the-sovereignty-of-god-and-evangelism,
(26/07/2023).

Keathley, Kenneth. Salvation and Sovereignty: A Molinist Approach,

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/themelios/review/salvation-and-sovereignty-a-
molinist-approach/, (26/07/2023).

Ligonier Editorial, Evangelism and Missions, https://www.ligonier.org/guides/evangelism-

and-missions, (26/07/2023).

Mckim, Robert. Inclusivism about Salvation, https://academic.oup.com/book/3920/chapter-

abstract/145489274?RedirectedFrom=full text, (26/07/2023).

11
Merkle L Benjamin. What Is the Doctrine of Election?
https://www.crossway.org/articles/what-is-the-doctrine-of-election/, (26/07/2023).

Morgan, Christopher. “The Glory of God,” https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/the-

glory-of-god/, (26/07/2023).

Newbigin, Lesslie. The Gospel in a Pluralist Society,

https://www.alisonmorgan.co.uk/Books/Newbigin%2089%20-%20Pluralist.pdf,
26/07/2023).

Orr, James. General Editor, “COMPASSION”, “International Standard Bible Encyclopedia”,

1915, https://www.biblestudytools.com/encyclopedias/isbe/compassion.html,
(25/07/2023).

Packer, J I. Evangelism and The Sovereignty of God,

https://archive.org/details/EvangelismAndTheSovereigntyOfGodJIPacker_201803/
page/n3/mode/2up, (26/07/2023). Pieter Verster, Evangelism and election: Is there an
answer to the challenges?
https://www.pharosjot.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_6_vol_104_1__2023.pdf,
(27/07/2023).

Zaspel, Fred. The Free Offer of the Gospel, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/essay/free-

offer-gospel/, (26/07/2023).

12