Is Election Based on Foreseen Faith or Works, or on God’s Grace Alone?

Turretin’s Answer:
Election is not based on God foreseeing faith or good works.
Election is based entirely on God’s free grace and sovereign will.

We deny the former.
We affirm the latter.

1. What Is the Question Really About?

The debate is this:

• Did God choose certain people because He foresaw that they would believe or do good works?

• Or did God choose people freely, and then give them faith and repentance as gifts?

Turretin argues that foreseen faith cannot be the cause of election.
Rather, faith is the result of election.

2. Why Election Cannot Be Based on Foreseen Faith

(1) Faith Itself Is a Gift of Grace

If faith comes from God, it cannot be the reason God chose us.

Scripture teaches:

• “By grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians 2:8)

• “It has been granted to you… to believe in him.” (Philippians 1:29)

If faith is given by God, then it cannot be something God merely looked ahead and saw in us.

Conclusion:
God does not choose us because we believe; we believe because God chose us.

(2) Foreseen Faith Would Make Election Dependent on Man

If God elected people because He foresaw their faith, then:

• God’s choice would depend on human action

• Grace would no longer be free

• Election would be partly earned

But Scripture says:

• “So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.” (Romans 9:16)

Election is not conditioned on man’s response, but on God’s mercy alone.

Turretin insists that faith and works belong to salvation’s application, not to election’s cause.

Paul writes:

• “Though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad… she was told, ‘The older will serve the younger.’” (Romans 9:11–12)

• “He chose us… not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace.” (2 Timothy 1:9)

God chose before any action, decision, or faith existed.

3. Why Election Must Be Based on Grace Alone

(1) God’s Will Is the Ultimate Cause

Turretin teaches that God’s good pleasure is the deepest reason for election.

Scripture says:

• “He chose us… according to the purpose of his will.” (Ephesians 1:5)

• “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy.” (Romans 9:15)

God does not look outside Himself for reasons to choose.
His will is wise, holy, and free.

(2) Grace Preserves God’s Glory

If election were based on foreseen faith:

• Man could boast

• Grace would be diluted

• God’s glory would be shared

But Scripture insists:

• “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:31)

Election by grace alone ensures all glory belongs to God.

(3) Grace Secures Salvation

If election depended on something in us:

• Salvation would be uncertain

• God’s purpose could fail

But Scripture teaches:

• “Those whom he predestined he also called… justified… glorified.” (Romans 8:30)

 God’s gracious election guarantees the full salvation of His people.

4. Clarifying a Common Misunderstanding

Turretin is not saying:

• Faith is unnecessary

• Humans are forced against their will

• God saves without means

Rather, he teaches:

• Election → Calling → Faith → Justification → Glory

• Faith is required, but it is given, not foreseen as a condition

As Jesus said:

• “All that the Father gives me will come to me.” (John 6:37)

5. Summary in Simple Terms

• God did not choose us because He saw we would believe.

• God chose us freely, and then gave us faith.

• Faith is the fruit of election, not the cause.

• Election rests on grace alone, not human decision or effort.

• This preserves God’s glory, grace, and certainty of salvation.

One-Sentence Summary (Turretin’s Logic)

God’s election is not grounded in anything He foresees in us, but solely in His sovereign grace, which itself produces the faith by which we are saved.