R.C. Sproul on Election & predestination
Unconditional — grounded in God's free choice
the Reformed view is called unconditional election meaning by this that there is no foreseen action or condition met by us that induces God to decide to save us, but that election rests upon God's sovereign decision to save whomsoever He is pleased to save.
THE POSITION
Defines the doctrine against its conditional rival in so many words: conditional election distributes grace "on the basis of some foreseen condition that human beings exercise themselves," while the Reformed view holds that no foreseen action or condition induces God to save. Prefers the label "sovereign election." Argues from Romans 9:10-18 that Paul's anticipated objection — "Is there unrighteousness with God?" — only arises if election is unconditional, since nobody protests that a conditional scheme is unfair; and answers it with the governor's pardon: one group receives grace, the other justice, and no one receives injustice. Ends on "the free will of a sovereign God who elects… according to the good pleasure of His will."
10 Not only that, but Rebecca’s children were conceived by one man, our father Isaac. 11 Yet before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad, in order that God’s plan of election might stand, 12 not by works but by Him who calls, she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 So it is written: “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” 14 What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Certainly not! 15 For He says to Moses: “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display My power in you, and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 Therefore God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy, and He hardens whom He wants to harden.
18 OTHERS HOLD THIS
ABOUT THIS FIGURE
Founder of Ligonier Ministries and teaching elder in the PCA. Chaired the drafting committee for the Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy; best known for The Holiness of God and for popularizing Reformed theology — the five solas and TULIP — for a lay audience.
Cite this page
"R.C. Sproul on Election & predestination", Examined Doctrine, July 2026 edition, https://examineddoctrine.com/position/sproul/election (archived at https://examineddoctrine.com/editions/2026-07/position/sproul/election).