Swords to Plowshares: On Doing Election

Abstract

The article uses the lens of design theory to conceptualize Dirk Smit et al's "reading the tradition against tradition" as a case of theological re-design of the doctrine of election. In analogy to creation originalis and creation continua, it introduces a distinction between electio originalis and election continua. It argues that theological conceptual redesign, which turns the doctrine of election from an instrument of violence and separation into an instrument of peace and hope, might not only be in the spirit of the biblical "words to plowshares," but might itself constitute a way of doing election as participation in the election continua.