David Clarkson, Idea of the Holy

David Clarkson, The Idea of the Holy,  The Numinous in the New Testament

Rudolf Otto writes, "The idea of election-- i.e. of having been chosen out and pre-ordained by God unto salvation--is an immediate and pure expression of the actual religious practice of grace" (Otto 87). I am glad that Porter brings up the topic of predestination and election, because I think that it is a topic that many people who call themselves christians do not like to bring up. I think the reasoning for their unwillingness to openly talk about the subject of election is mostly due to their lack of understanding of the topic as a whole, or distaste for the truth of the matter. Many people who call themselves christian in modern day America believe in what many people call the prosperity gospel, where they only believe and abide in the parts of scripture that talk about the prosperity and blessings they can receive as believers. Predestination and election falls in contrast to the more favorable doctrine this group of christians accept, hence the reason this topic is avoided by many believers. Because of this misconception, I like how Otto describes election as an expression of grace. As humans, I do not believe we are in a place to question God's election as he commands us in Romans. His election should only make us all the more appreciative of grace.