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The New Chosen People: A Corporate View of Election
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First published June 1, 1990
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About the author
William W. Klein
15 books18 followersDr. William W. Klein is professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary and serves as Chair of the Division of Biblical Studies. He earned the Ph.D. degree from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, the M.Div. degree from Denver Seminary, and a B.S. degree from Wheaton College.
Dr. Klein has written articles for several biblical dictionaries and encyclopedias and has published chapters or essays in several books and Festschrifts. His articles and reviews can be found in major journals as well as popular magazines.
He edited and was the major contributor to An Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, wrote the commentary on Ephesians in the revised Expositor's Bible Commentary, and has consulted on several recent Bible versions, serving as chief exegetical consultant for the New Testament portion of The Message.
Dr. Klein has written articles for several biblical dictionaries and encyclopedias and has published chapters or essays in several books and Festschrifts. His articles and reviews can be found in major journals as well as popular magazines.
He edited and was the major contributor to An Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, wrote the commentary on Ephesians in the revised Expositor's Bible Commentary, and has consulted on several recent Bible versions, serving as chief exegetical consultant for the New Testament portion of The Message.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 2, 2021
The most thorough book I’ve read on the Doctrine of Election, with both arguments presented throughout the Text (I.e., corporate vs individual election). The author steps through the OT first, followed by the NT. He spends 70% of the time in the NT, calling attention to any verse that has been used to argue predestination. Upon finishing this book, I have concluded that the author presents his points well and persuaded me that corporate election is biblical whereas individual election is not. Accepting John Calvin’s teaching of individual election presents the reader and bible student with different questions to contemplate. It causes hermeneutic gymnastics where the students have to talk around verses in scripture that explicitly state God’s desire for ALL of his creation to not perish and to come to a knowledge of the truth (I.e., salvation in Jesus Christ).
Any effort to diminish, reduce, or takeaway Christ’s atonement for ALL who respond in faith or obey the Gospel call is dangerous. Promoting and accepting individual election seems to lead the reader to conclude they’re privileged and thus put themselves on a pedestal to be glorified instead of God and his Som. Being part of the chosen race (1 Peter 2:9-10) is a commitment and pledge of service to God. Let us not forget this very important point.
Any effort to diminish, reduce, or takeaway Christ’s atonement for ALL who respond in faith or obey the Gospel call is dangerous. Promoting and accepting individual election seems to lead the reader to conclude they’re privileged and thus put themselves on a pedestal to be glorified instead of God and his Som. Being part of the chosen race (1 Peter 2:9-10) is a commitment and pledge of service to God. Let us not forget this very important point.
December 20, 2013
William Klein presented a logical argument for his view of corporate election. Whether one agrees with Klein or not, I believe he did a great job in laying out his case. His argument was clear, concise, and thorough. The author wrote in such a way that made his book a somewhat pleasant read. Even if a reader were to be adamantly against what Klein presents, I believe the book was written in such a way that it presents the author's view in a clear, logical manner. It is a good book for anyone wishing to know about corporate election and how such a view is developed. It provides for some great thinking material that reached beyond a mere reading of the book.
February 17, 2015
Despite completely disagreeing with the view of election presented here by William Klein, I was deeply impressed with the degree of scholarship with which he wrote. This is probably the most consistently Biblical treatment of a non-Reformed view of election. I can't say enough to praise Klein's tone and his rigorous sholarahip.
That said, I believe that Klein has missed the mark. His premise is that Biblical election is always corporate and never individual. Beginning with the Old Testament, he systematically goes through passages where God says that he has sovereignly chosen, and then shows how in each case the election is corporate. If he had only framed this corporate election in terms of covenant he would have found much common ground in the Reformed camp. As it is (lacking a covenantal framework) his theological presuppositions led him to confuse two very different types of election: those who are elected into a covenant body to be a covenant people (Old Testament Israel) and those who were truly elect unto salvation (the remnant within the chosen nation of Israel). Without covenant as his starting point, Klein was left to view election monolithically.
In the end, even if Klein succeeded in demonstrating that salvific election is corporate, he is still left with one glaringly big problem: corporate bodies are always composed of individuals. This means that even a corporate view of election is, at its most basic level, individual election into a corporate body. Thus nothing is solved by claiming that election is corporate because it too necessitates individual election.
I am encouraged to see an Arminian brother thinking in terms of covenant. This has been missing from their theology since Wesley and they would do well to reclaim Wesley's emphasis on covenant and integrate it back into their theology.
That said, I believe that Klein has missed the mark. His premise is that Biblical election is always corporate and never individual. Beginning with the Old Testament, he systematically goes through passages where God says that he has sovereignly chosen, and then shows how in each case the election is corporate. If he had only framed this corporate election in terms of covenant he would have found much common ground in the Reformed camp. As it is (lacking a covenantal framework) his theological presuppositions led him to confuse two very different types of election: those who are elected into a covenant body to be a covenant people (Old Testament Israel) and those who were truly elect unto salvation (the remnant within the chosen nation of Israel). Without covenant as his starting point, Klein was left to view election monolithically.
In the end, even if Klein succeeded in demonstrating that salvific election is corporate, he is still left with one glaringly big problem: corporate bodies are always composed of individuals. This means that even a corporate view of election is, at its most basic level, individual election into a corporate body. Thus nothing is solved by claiming that election is corporate because it too necessitates individual election.
I am encouraged to see an Arminian brother thinking in terms of covenant. This has been missing from their theology since Wesley and they would do well to reclaim Wesley's emphasis on covenant and integrate it back into their theology.
February 25, 2024
Klein walks meticulously through the New Testament scriptures, examining the theme of election throughout. This book central thesis is that election in the New Testament, when directed towards salvation, is corporate rather than individual. He does well to support this claim, and lays out very clearly his understanding of the related ideas of predestination, foreknowledge, and the will of God.
While the content was good, the style of this book was not my favorite. It is laid out as an examination of individual verses, one after the other, almost like a topical commentary. This accomplishes its goal, but at times got very repetitive, and was quite dry.
I also found that there were a couple spots where the textual arguments weren’t convincing. In the gospel of John in particular, I think Klein could do better to follow some of the pieces of context that would improve his exegesis.
While there were a few spots where I did not agree completely with his exegesis, overall, I found Klein’s argument compelling. God has chosen his Church in Christ, and has destined her for glory. Here, we find out hope.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for another vantage point on the typical conversations regarding election.
While the content was good, the style of this book was not my favorite. It is laid out as an examination of individual verses, one after the other, almost like a topical commentary. This accomplishes its goal, but at times got very repetitive, and was quite dry.
I also found that there were a couple spots where the textual arguments weren’t convincing. In the gospel of John in particular, I think Klein could do better to follow some of the pieces of context that would improve his exegesis.
While there were a few spots where I did not agree completely with his exegesis, overall, I found Klein’s argument compelling. God has chosen his Church in Christ, and has destined her for glory. Here, we find out hope.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for another vantage point on the typical conversations regarding election.
February 18, 2016
William W. Klein is professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary where he also serves as Chair of the Division of Biblical Studies. Klein earned a Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland and a M.Div. from Denver Seminary. He has written articles for several dictionaries and encyclopedias and has edited or contributed to a number of major publications, including, An Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (with Craig Blomberg and Robert Hubbard Jr.) and the commentary on Ephesians in the revised Expositor’s Bible Commentary. Most recently, Klein has revised, enlarged, and re-published his classic book on corporate election, The New Chosen People: A Corporate View of Election (Wipf & Stock, 2015).
The New Chosen People begins with a thorough analysis of the Old Testament and Jewish background relating to the theme of election. Klein guides the reader through the Hebrew Bible, the Apocrypha, the Pseudepigrapha, the Qumran literature, as well as the rabbinic literature. For Klein, the Old Testament and Jewish sources unequivocally display a corporate nature of election found in the people of Israel. Klein states therein, contrary to the assertions of the Calvinist, “there is no evidence of the view that God chose specific individuals for salvation” (p. 40). This initial 40-page investigation becomes, in many ways, the lenses through which the latter conclusions are established as Klein turns attention to the New Testament.
The New Testament is examined systematically in five major sections: (1) the Synoptic Gospels, (2) the Acts, (3) the Johannine literature, (4) the Pauline literature, and (5) the letters of Hebrews, Peter, James, and Jude—or the catholic epistles. In each section Klein has identified significant election themes, gathered the appropriate passages for each theme in each category, and analyzes each biblical text through the thematic lenses he has prescribed. For example, discussing “God Foreknows People” in the Pauline literature, Klein discussed Romans 11:2 and 8:29. Another example, discussing “God’s Appointment of Individuals” in Hebrews, Klein briefly comments on Hebrews 5:4.
One of the most attractive features of this book is the organization that Kline has provided. By identifying the major categories in each section, Klein helps the reader grasp the larger picture at hand before he narrows in on each specific passage. On the other hand, I think many will also find this categorical organization frustrating because the comments on a specific passage could be scattered across a number of categories and subpoints. For example, Romans 8:28-30 includes major comments on page 135, 137, 160, 180, and 181. In other words, some readers would probably appreciate if Klein’s comments on a passage were more centrally located in a single place, while others will find Klein categorical organization helpful. I tend to prefer the latter, despite some difficulties therein.
In regards to the content of Klein’s work, I was admittedly unpersuaded by the exegesis and interpretation provided at various points in the book. I found his comments to be somewhat insufficient at points, and I was often left wanting more than I was provided. But, I also think that this could be an issue with the organization—despite my preference mentioned above. In other words, if I look over the entirety of Klein’s work I am able to better see the picture that he is trying to paint, but because there are additional comments found under different categories, the exegetical detail appears to be lacking. Either way, it is safe to say that this revised and expanded edition of The New Chosen People: A Corporate View of Election by William W. Klein has provided readers with an excellent treatment of election from a classical Arminian perspective. Thus, it should come highly recommended regardless of one’s theological persuasion, at least it does from this self-proclaimed Calvinist.
I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
The New Chosen People begins with a thorough analysis of the Old Testament and Jewish background relating to the theme of election. Klein guides the reader through the Hebrew Bible, the Apocrypha, the Pseudepigrapha, the Qumran literature, as well as the rabbinic literature. For Klein, the Old Testament and Jewish sources unequivocally display a corporate nature of election found in the people of Israel. Klein states therein, contrary to the assertions of the Calvinist, “there is no evidence of the view that God chose specific individuals for salvation” (p. 40). This initial 40-page investigation becomes, in many ways, the lenses through which the latter conclusions are established as Klein turns attention to the New Testament.
The New Testament is examined systematically in five major sections: (1) the Synoptic Gospels, (2) the Acts, (3) the Johannine literature, (4) the Pauline literature, and (5) the letters of Hebrews, Peter, James, and Jude—or the catholic epistles. In each section Klein has identified significant election themes, gathered the appropriate passages for each theme in each category, and analyzes each biblical text through the thematic lenses he has prescribed. For example, discussing “God Foreknows People” in the Pauline literature, Klein discussed Romans 11:2 and 8:29. Another example, discussing “God’s Appointment of Individuals” in Hebrews, Klein briefly comments on Hebrews 5:4.
One of the most attractive features of this book is the organization that Kline has provided. By identifying the major categories in each section, Klein helps the reader grasp the larger picture at hand before he narrows in on each specific passage. On the other hand, I think many will also find this categorical organization frustrating because the comments on a specific passage could be scattered across a number of categories and subpoints. For example, Romans 8:28-30 includes major comments on page 135, 137, 160, 180, and 181. In other words, some readers would probably appreciate if Klein’s comments on a passage were more centrally located in a single place, while others will find Klein categorical organization helpful. I tend to prefer the latter, despite some difficulties therein.
In regards to the content of Klein’s work, I was admittedly unpersuaded by the exegesis and interpretation provided at various points in the book. I found his comments to be somewhat insufficient at points, and I was often left wanting more than I was provided. But, I also think that this could be an issue with the organization—despite my preference mentioned above. In other words, if I look over the entirety of Klein’s work I am able to better see the picture that he is trying to paint, but because there are additional comments found under different categories, the exegetical detail appears to be lacking. Either way, it is safe to say that this revised and expanded edition of The New Chosen People: A Corporate View of Election by William W. Klein has provided readers with an excellent treatment of election from a classical Arminian perspective. Thus, it should come highly recommended regardless of one’s theological persuasion, at least it does from this self-proclaimed Calvinist.
I received a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
July 13, 2019
Given the strong individualistic perspective in which we have been conditioned by our western culture to think, primarily, it is not always obvious to us how corporate the perspective of the Bible authors actually is. Klein helps us see that with his exhaustive study of both Old and New Testament texts. A corporate view of election resolves some of the thorny conundrums associated with that doctrine, though by itself that is not a sufficient reason to embrace it. But again, the careful study of the texts is what lends strong support to the conclusions. I appreciated the quiet way the author went about his business. He methodically and systematically reviews all relevant texts and there are no knife sharpened comments as are sometimes associated with discussions on this topic.
A number of points were reinforced in my own thinking by this book:
1) It is troublesome, to say the least, to suggest that God openly or publically affirms that "He desires all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth" but secretly desires to actually save only some to whom alone he gives the capacity to believe.
2) It is also troubling to propose that the love of God is bifurcated - i.e. He loves everyone to a point as part of creation but he lavishes a special love on a few he chooses to save. When God commands us to love our enemies, would he ask more of us than what he himself does?
3) The Bible extends numerous open invitations to the whole of mankind. A bona fide offer or invitation must be a serious one, not a counterfeit one. It is made in good faith, with the understanding that the offer can actually be accepted.
A number of points were reinforced in my own thinking by this book:
1) It is troublesome, to say the least, to suggest that God openly or publically affirms that "He desires all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth" but secretly desires to actually save only some to whom alone he gives the capacity to believe.
2) It is also troubling to propose that the love of God is bifurcated - i.e. He loves everyone to a point as part of creation but he lavishes a special love on a few he chooses to save. When God commands us to love our enemies, would he ask more of us than what he himself does?
3) The Bible extends numerous open invitations to the whole of mankind. A bona fide offer or invitation must be a serious one, not a counterfeit one. It is made in good faith, with the understanding that the offer can actually be accepted.
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September 28, 2009I first about this book while reading Clark Pinnock's contribution in Five Perspectives on Election (edited by Chad Owen Brand).
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews