In a previous post, I briefly discussed my experience with Shepherd's Chapel and how their doctrine of election initially raised doubts about their teachings. After comparing their claims with Scripture, particularly Romans 8 and Ephesians 1, I found irreconcilable contradictions. This led me to conclude that Shepherd's Chapel's teachings, particularly on election, deviate significantly from biblical truth and align with non-Christian cultic doctrine.
Pastor Arnold Murray, the founder of Shepherd's Chapel, often encouraged his followers to "check him out" by examining his teachings against Scripture. However, a careful study reveals that many of his interpretations are not only unbiblical but, in some cases, heretical. Among these, their doctrine of election stands out as particularly problematic, second only to their denial of the Trinity. This article examines Shepherd's Chapel's view of election and contrasts it with the clear teachings of Scripture.
Shepherd's Chapel's Doctrine of Election
Shepherd's Chapel teaches that millions of years ago, during a "first earth age," all humans existed in spiritual bodies. According to their narrative, Satan rebelled against God, convincing one-third of the angels (humans in spiritual form) to follow him. Some remained faithful to God, while others were undecided. God then destroyed this first earth age in an event they call the Katabole and created the present earth age (see Shepherd's Chapel studies: #30417, "Elect"; #30146, "Genesis, Chapters 1-6").
In this present age, Shepherd's Chapel claims that humans are born to choose between following God or Satan. Those who sided with God in the first earth age are deemed the "elect," having been justified and glorified during that time (see Arnold Murray's study on Romans 8). These elect are said to have earned their status, possess unique insight into deeper scriptural truths, and lack free will. In contrast, all other humans (termed "free-will Christians") can choose to follow God or Satan, creating a sharp distinction between "elect Christians" and "free-will Christians."
Does Scripture Support This Doctrine?
The Christian understanding of election varies between theological perspectives, such as Arminianism and Calvinism. However, both agree that the "elect" refers to all true believers in Christ. While I lean toward a Reformed (Calvinist) view, this article focuses on evaluating Shepherd's Chapel's doctrine against Scripture, particularly Romans 8, rather than defending a specific theological position.
Romans 8: Context and Clarity
To assess Shepherd's Chapel's use of Romans 8:29, we must first consider the chapter's context. Romans 8 follows Paul's discussion in Romans 7 about the Christian's struggle with sin. The opening verse sets the tone for the chapter:
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1, ESV)
This verse establishes that Paul is addressing all believers in Christ, not a select subgroup. He reinforces this in verse 9:
"You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him." (Romans 8:9)
Here, Paul clearly speaks to all Christians, defined as those indwelt by the Spirit of Christ. He further emphasizes this in verses 16-17:
"The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him." (Romans 8:16-17)
These verses confirm that Paul is addressing all Christians as God's children, not a distinct group of "elect" Christians.
Now, let's examine the key passage cited by Shepherd's Chapel:
"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." (Romans 8:29-30)
Shepherd's Chapel interprets "those whom he foreknew" as those who sided with God in the first earth age. However, the text itself provides no support for this idea. Instead, it describes God's foreknowledge and predestination of believers to be conformed to Christ's image (see also Philippians 3:21, 1 Corinthians 15:49, Colossians 3:10, 1 John 3:2). The terms "foreknew," "predestined," "called," "justified," and "glorified" apply to all Christians, not a select group from a supposed prior age. The context of Romans 8 consistently refers to all believers, with no indication of a division between "elect" and "free-will" Christians.
Paul further clarifies this in verses 31-33:
"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies." (Romans 8:31-33)
Here, Paul explicitly identifies God's elect as all Christians, emphasizing that Christ was given for "us all" and that God justifies His elect. Shepherd's Chapel's doctrine of a separate elect group is incompatible with this clear biblical teaching.
Ephesians 1: A Consistent Message
Shepherd's Chapel also cites Ephesians 1 to support their doctrine. Let's examine the relevant passage in context:
"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:" (Ephesians 1:1)
Paul addresses this letter to "the saints who are faithful in Christ Jesus"—all Christians, not a subset of special believers. He continues:
"even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace," (Ephesians 1:4-7)
Shepherd's Chapel points to verses 4-5 to argue for their first earth age theory, often misinterpreting katabole (translated as "foundation of the world") to support their narrative. However, the text clearly states that God chose believers "before the foundation of the world" to be "holy and blameless" and predestined them for "adoption as sons through Jesus Christ." These descriptions apply to all Christians, not a select group from a supposed prior age. The passage emphasizes redemption through Christ's blood, a universal offer to all believers, not a privilege reserved for a special elect.
Assurance of Election
How can Christians know they are among the elect? Shepherd's Chapel suggests that the elect possess unique insight into esoteric truths. However, Scripture provides a different answer. In 2 Peter 1:3-11, Peter outlines qualities that confirm a believer's calling and election:
"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence... For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love... Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall." (2 Peter 1:3-11)
Peter emphasizes that a Christian's election is confirmed through a life marked by faith, virtue, and love, not through special knowledge of end-times events or a supposed first earth age.
Conclusion
Shepherd's Chapel's doctrine of election, which posits a first earth age and a division between elect and free-will Christians, is not supported by Scripture. Romans 8 and Ephesians 1 clearly teach that all true believers are God's elect, chosen and predestined for holiness and adoption through Christ. By imposing an unbiblical framework on these texts, Shepherd's Chapel distorts the gospel and introduces a heretical division within the body of Christ. Christians are called to test all teachings against Scripture, and in doing so, we find that Shepherd's Chapel's doctrine of election fails to align with the truth of God's Word.
Soli Deo Gloria!