La Elección Divina: Sí o No? By Marino Monegro. Dominican Republic: N.P. 103 pp. Paper, $5.00.
GES has published some books in Spanish to reach the Spanish-speaking world. GES does not publish this book, but it is in Spanish. Monegro is an elder in a church in the Dominican Republic. The title means: Divine Election: Yes or No?
Moreno explains that when he was younger, he was taught the Calvinist doctrine that people were elected to eternal salvation before they were born. He even taught others this view, even though he had problems with it and did not understand how it could be true. One major reason he did so is there is very little written in Spanish that contradicts Calvinism (pp. xi-xiii).
Moreno says that many Spanish-speaking teachers accept election but realize many verses in the NT teach the opposite. Many passages point to the ability of the unbeliever to believe. These teachers are not able to reconcile those verses (p. xv). He wrote the book to help “simple” pastors and teachers who are looking for answers.
Calvinism and Arminianism are two theological systems that attempt to explain the relationship between human free will and the sovereignty of God (p. 17). After a discussion of the five points of Calvinism, Moreno correctly points out that Spanish-speaking pastors will often pick and choose which points they accept and which they reject (p. 21). There is no consistency.
Another option is that election in the Bible is corporate and not individual. Calvinists will often use philosophical arguments that elevate the greatness of God. Moreno argues that election not only doesn’t make sense, it makes God evil (pp. 26-28).
The book looks at verses that mention election in both the OT and NT. Moreno rightly points out the importance of context. In the OT, the verb “to elect” refers to things, places, and people. But it never refers to eternal salvation (p. 35). When it deals with people, it is an election to service. Among the verses discussed are Neh 9:7-8, Ps 106:23, and Deut 4:37. God “chose” Israel to be His people and to be a light to the nations (p. 37).
In the NT, Moreno discusses how Judas was elected to be an apostle but was not saved from hell. In Acts 13:45-48, the elect are those who were disposed to listen to the message of life. They were willing to look at the evidence (p. 49). Moreno has a very good discussion on Rom 8:29-30. He rightly concludes that predestination in these verses refers to the reward of reigning with Christ, and not to eternal salvation (p. 57). God has chosen that those who suffer with Christ will reign with Him. Not all believers will reign with the Lord in His kingdom.
Another excellent treatment in the NT is Moreno’s discussion of Eph 1:4. He concludes that election in this verse refers to the church. It is corporate. God calls it to holiness (p. 69). In 2 Thess 2:13, Paul says that the church was chosen by God to be saved from the wrath of the Tribulation (p. 75). In 1 Pet 1:2, Peter’s readers were elected to obey (p. 81).
In chapter five, Moreno discusses the negative consequences of the Calvinist doctrine of election in the church. It robs people of the assurance of salvation (p. 87). It takes away the desire to evangelize (p. 88). It causes divisions both in Evangelicalism in general and local churches (p. 95).
Chapter six deals with issues that challenge the doctrine of election. Moreno asks if Adam and Eve were elect, why did they sin? What happens to babies who die? If they were not elect, will they go to hell? Why does God “look” for those who will worship Him if they are elect (John 4:23)? Second Chronicles 16:9 says that all the earth can have a heart ready to turn to God. The same is true for Ps 53:2.
Spanish-speaking teachers often do not have Free Grace material at their disposal. They are held captive to Reformed and Calvinistic literature. Many of these works have been translated into Spanish. If you go into a church office, you will find that practically all of their books are written from a Calvinist perspective. Calvinists have done a great deal of work to propagate their teaching. Moreno’s experience is all too common.
With the growing Spanish-speaking population in the US, as well as Spanish-speaking churches, there is a need for books in Spanish that promote sound teaching. This book contributes to the great need in this area. I highly recommend it. If you know somebody who is ministering to Spanish-speaking people, this is a great tool. Contact marino.martinezjr@gmail.com on how to get a copy of it. Along with the books in Spanish published by GES, the Holy Spirit can use us to have a great impact on millions. Like Moreno, they can be set free from contradictory and unbiblical doctrine.
Kenneth W. Yates
Editor
Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society
