--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Some may object that to speak of election…" description: "\"“Some may object that to speak of election or predestination is to limit the kingdom of God to a few. Does it make God a capricious tyrant? We must ans..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/193/graeme-goldsworthy-41353_election_some-may-object-that-to-speak-of-electio_476899.jpg" --- # Some may object that to speak of election or… ![“Some may object that to speak of election or predestination is to limit the kingdom of God to a few. Does it make God a capricious tyrant? We must answer that such objections usually stem from a refusal to accept that we are faced here with a mystery that is not given to us to solve. There is also…” quote by Graeme Goldsworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/193/graeme-goldsworthy-41353_election_some-may-object-that-to-speak-of-electio_476899.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/193/graeme-goldsworthy-41353_election_some-may-object-that-to-speak-of-electio_476899.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/193/graeme-goldsworthy-41353_election_some-may-object-that-to-speak-of-electio_476899.jpg) > ““Some may object that to speak of election or predestination is to limit the kingdom of God to a few. Does it make God a capricious tyrant? We must answer that such objections usually stem from a refusal to accept that we are faced here with a mystery that is not given to us to solve. There is also a radical misunderstanding which maintains that God's sovereignty in election removes man's responsibility. Such is not true. How divine sovereignty and human responsibility work together we cannot know. The Bible makes it clear that they do. // Let us remember that Jesus discriminated and limited the numbers of the saved: 'Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it' (Matthew 7:13-14). This is in line with the Old Testament teaching that only a faithful remnant of Israel would be saved.”” [Graeme Goldsworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graeme-goldsworthy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The passage argues that divine election and human responsibility coexist, despite mystery, and that only a remnant will be saved. **In simple terms:** God’s choices and human duty both matter, but we can’t fully understand them. Key Takeaway Accept mystery while acting responsibly. Themes theology predestination human agency Mood thoughtful serious Type theological explanatory When to use this quote - church teaching - personal faith discussions - ethical decisions Key Concepts divine sovereignty free will mystery Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance divine mystery with personal responsibility? - What practical steps reflect this belief? A Different Perspective Emphasizing mystery may discourage deeper theological inquiry. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Election](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/election/) [God's Sovereignty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gods-sovereignty/) [Kingdom of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kingdom-of-god/) [Old testament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-testament/) [Predestination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/predestination/) [Sovereignty of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sovereignty-of-god/) [Work together](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/work-together/) ## Related quotes > [“First, God's sovereignty over the death of Christ does not mitigate the guilt of the human conspirators. On the other hand, the malice of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-a-carson-2/first-god-s-sovereignty-over-the-death-of-christ-does-not-mitigate/) [D.A. Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-a-carson-2/) > [God will not hold us responsible to understand the mysteries of election, predestination, and the divine sovereignty. The best and safest way to deal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/god-will-not-hold-us-responsible-to-understand-the-mysteries-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“So believe in God's sovereignty! It dose not matter whatever goes on in your life! Believe in God's Sovereignty! God is always supreme and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/musa-mkasi/so-believe-in-god-s-sovereignty-it-dose-not-matter-whatever-goes-on/) Musa Mkasi > [The biblical authors wrote of God's sovereignty over His world, and of man's experiences within that world, using such modes of speech about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/the-biblical-authors-wrote-of-god-s-sovereignty-over-his-world-and-of/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) > [Prayer assumes the sovereignty of God. If God is not sovereign, we have no assurance that He is able to answer our prayers. Our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/prayer-assumes-the-sovereignty-of-god-if-god-is-not-sovereign-we-have/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [God's sovereignty does not negate our responsibility to pray, but rather makes it possible for us to pray with confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-bridges/god-s-sovereignty-does-not-negate-our-responsibility-to-pray-but/) [Jerry Bridges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-bridges/) > [Keep in mind that God's sovereignty allows Him to even use that which is not cooperating with Him (the bad) in order to move…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-evans/keep-in-mind-that-god-s-sovereignty-allows-him-to-even-use-that-which/) [Tony Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-evans/) > [We count on God's mercy for our past mistakes, on God's love for our present needs, on God's sovereignty for our future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/we-count-on-god-s-mercy-for-our-past-mistakes-on-god-s-love-for-our/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [I learned very early that people need to have a good grasp of God's goodness and God's sovereignty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-chandler/i-learned-very-early-that-people-need-to-have-a-good-grasp-of-god-s/) [Matt Chandler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-chandler/) > [So though there are many things I would have done differently, I submit to God's sovereignty and His purpose in my life and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-d-jakes/so-though-there-are-many-things-i-would-have-done-differently-i/) [T. D. Jakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-d-jakes/) > [God's sovereignty is not in His right hand; God's sovereignty is not in His intellect; God's sovereignty is in His love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/god-s-sovereignty-is-not-in-his-right-hand-god-s-sovereignty-is-not/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [Human fallibility recognised, God's sovereignty trusted; these are also the only stable foundations for human beings in society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-welby/human-fallibility-recognised-god-s-sovereignty-trusted-these-are-also/) [Justin Welby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-welby/) > [The storms in my life have become workshops where I can practice my faith in God's sovereignty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-briscoe/the-storms-in-my-life-have-become-workshops-where-i-can-practice-my/) [Jill Briscoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-briscoe/) > [Men treat God's sovereignty as a theme for controversy, but in Scripture it is matter for worship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/men-treat-god-s-sovereignty-as-a-theme-for-controversy-but-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Of all the doctrines of the Bible none is so offensive to human nature as the doctrine of God's sovereignty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle/of-all-the-doctrines-of-the-bible-none-is-so-offensive-to-human/) [J. C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle/) ## More by Graeme Goldsworthy > [Proverbs, and the wisdom literature in general, counter the idea that being spiritual means handing all decisions over to the leading of the Lord.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graeme-goldsworthy/proverbs-and-the-wisdom-literature-in-general-counter-the-idea-that/) [Graeme Goldsworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graeme-goldsworthy/) > [“The truth of God's Word cannot be subject to the puny light of man's self-centred reason”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graeme-goldsworthy/the-truth-of-god-s-word-cannot-be-subject-to-the-puny-light-of-man-s/) [Graeme Goldsworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graeme-goldsworthy/) > [“The Gospel presents us with the righteousness of Jesus Christ, who, in his earthly life, perfectly interpreted the word of his Father. In so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graeme-goldsworthy/the-gospel-presents-us-with-the-righteousness-of-jesus-christ-who-in/) [Graeme Goldsworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graeme-goldsworthy/) > [God's people, in God's place, under God's rule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graeme-goldsworthy/god-s-people-in-god-s-place-under-god-s-rule/) [Graeme Goldsworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graeme-goldsworthy/) > [“Sovereignty means exercising kingly power. We use the word in relation to God meaning that there is absolutely nothing that he does not control.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graeme-goldsworthy/sovereignty-means-exercising-kingly-power-we-use-the-word-in-relation/) [Graeme Goldsworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graeme-goldsworthy/) > [The gospel is saying that, what man cannot do in order to be accepted with God, this God Himself has done for us in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graeme-goldsworthy/the-gospel-is-saying-that-what-man-cannot-do-in-order-to-be-accepted/) [Graeme Goldsworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graeme-goldsworthy/) > [The strength of Ray Ortlund's study of Proverbs is its Christ-centeredness. The wisdom of Proverbs loses none of its practical value, but rather is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graeme-goldsworthy/the-strength-of-ray-ortlund-s-study-of-proverbs-is-its-christ/) [Graeme Goldsworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graeme-goldsworthy/) > [To say what we should be or do and not link it with a clear exposition of what God has done about our failure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graeme-goldsworthy/to-say-what-we-should-be-or-do-and-not-link-it-with-a-clear/) [Graeme Goldsworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graeme-goldsworthy/) > [The Bible is the one Word of the one God about the one way of salvation through the one Savior, Jesus Christ.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/graeme-goldsworthy/the-bible-is-the-one-word-of-the-one-god-about-the-one-way-of/) [Graeme Goldsworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graeme-goldsworthy/) [Explore all 10 Graeme Goldsworthy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/graeme-goldsworthy/) ## More Election quotes > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The CIA has concluded in a secret assessment that Russia intervened in the 2016 election to help Donald Trump win the presidency rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/the-cia-has-concluded-in-a-secret-assessment-that-russia-intervened/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [ Vote for Donald Trump. You're going to see something and you'll be so happy, you'll be so thrilled. This \[presidential\] election is about every… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/vote-for-donald-trump-you-re-going-to-see-something-and-you-ll-be-so/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [There's more than 1700 emails out of the thirty three thousand Hillary Clinton emails that we've published, just about Libya. It's not that Libya…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-assange/there-s-more-than-1700-emails-out-of-the-thirty-three-thousand/) [Julian Assange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-assange/) > [It's not clear in the U.S. at the moment, either. We're going through another election.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-kerrey/it-s-not-clear-in-the-u-s-at-the-moment-either-we-re-going-through/) [Bob Kerrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-kerrey/) > [I always lose the election in the polls, and I always win it on election day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-netanyahu/i-always-lose-the-election-in-the-polls-and-i-always-win-it-on/) [Benjamin Netanyahu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-netanyahu/) > [Elections are not a beauty contest. It is all about tolerance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-franz/elections-are-not-a-beauty-contest-it-is-all-about-tolerance/) Vladimir Franz > [UN peacekeeping operations are now increasingly complex and multi-dimensional, going beyond monitoring a ceasefire to actually bringing failed States back to life, often after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/un-peacekeeping-operations-are-now-increasingly-complex-and-multi/) [Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/) > [The election of Trump threw the chess board up. The pieces are all over the place. That's upsetting to a lot of people, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-rubin/the-election-of-trump-threw-the-chess-board-up-the-pieces-are-all/) [Dave Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-rubin/) > [If I had lost the popular vote but won the electoral college and in my first day as president the intelligence community came to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/if-i-had-lost-the-popular-vote-but-won-the-electoral-college-and-in/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [We know from this book entitled... What is it? Surrendered? Succumbed? I can never remember the title perform. And we learn from this book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/we-know-from-this-book-entitled-what-is-it-surrendered-succumbed-i/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Let's be honest, if the Democrats didn't support ignoring our nation's immigration laws, there is no way they could win the presidency or a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nugent/let-s-be-honest-if-the-democrats-didn-t-support-ignoring-our-nation-s/) [Ted Nugent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nugent/) > [I spent many years working for voting rights, but we still see sophisticated efforts, led by white officials, to disenfranchise black voters in local…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-brooke/i-spent-many-years-working-for-voting-rights-but-we-still-see/) [Edward Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-brooke/) > [“The answer to the question raised in the title of this essay - Is salvation a matter of divine determination or human responsibility? -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/layton-talbert/the-answer-to-the-question-raised-in-the-title-of-this-essay-is/) [Layton Talbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/layton-talbert/) > [One of the reasons people hate politics is that truth is rarely a politician's objective. Election and power are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-thomas/one-of-the-reasons-people-hate-politics-is-that-truth-is-rarely-a/) [Cal Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-thomas/) [Browse all 3,344 Election quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/election/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Some may object that to speak of election or predestination is to limit the kingdom of God to a few. Does it make God a capricious tyrant? We must answer that such objections usually stem from a refusal to accept that we are faced here with a mystery that is not given to us to solve. There is also a radical misunderstanding which maintains that God's sovereignty in election removes man's responsibility. Such is not true. How divine sovereignty and human responsibility work together we cannot know. The Bible makes it clear that they do. // Let us remember that Jesus discriminated and limited the numbers of the saved: 'Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it' (Matthew 7:13-14). 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