It is a common charge that Calvinist have a modern understanding of the Bible. The Biblical writers thought in terms of corporate bodies and federal heads. Calvinism is riddled with 16th-century individualism. Freewill Theist read the Bible historically. These are an interesting charge but the smell of rotting hypocrisy should be filling your nose by now. If you can’t see where the hypocrisy exists, then look no farther than Dr. Thomas Schreiner:
Abasciano charges my view with being individualistic and western and claims that his view reflects the culture of the first century. But it seems to me that the reverse is the case. It is his view that focuses on individual choice and faith so that he can even describe such faith as the basis of election and say that “membership in the Church is based on faith” (p. 19). Abasciano focuses on the faith of the individual as the basis of salvation, and this is a remarkably individualistic notion. Indeed, his notion of corporate election is completely irrelevant to individuals unless they believe, and so the choice of individuals to be saved is what is decisive. I fail to see, therefore, that Abasciano’s view in any practical sense reflects the corporate worldview of the NT era better than my own. Indeed, the notion that God chooses who will be saved stands as a stark reminder that individual human choices are not ultimate in the universe. I am also convinced, of course, that individuals must believe to be saved. All people everywhere are to repent and put their trust in Jesus Christ to be spared from God’s wrath on the last day. But the Scriptures also teach that God grants faith as a gift (Eph 2:8-9), and that those who are chosen by God will surely believe (e.g. John 6:35, 37, 44, 64-65; 10:26; Acts 13:48; Rom 8:29-30).
The Council 