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Few doctrines have been as contentious in the history of the Church as the doctrine of election. This is due, in part, to a seeming diversity of perspectives within the canon of Scripture itself, especially when one considers the interrelated issues of predestination, free will, the extent of sin's effects upon humanity, and divine providence. While two perspectives (what have been known since the Reformation as Calvinism and Arminianism) have dominated much of the discussion within Protestant circles, there are numerous views of, and approaches to, the subject.1 Discussions of the doctrine frequently involve issues dating back to the Reformers or even the conflict between Augustine and Pelagius in the early fifth century. Many studies have examined the doctrine of "election" through exegetical,2 historical,3 or systematic4 theology