I was going to do some posts in regards to Suzanne McDonald’s constructive reconstrual of election as representation, but the quotes I wanted to provide are just too long and involved; and beyond that, I don’t feel like developing all of what would be necessary in order for it to make sense on the blog here. To whet your appetite, and not to totally flop on my intention; let me at least quote the blurb from the back jacket of the book:

Here is a fresh look at one of the Reformed tradition’s most controversial and defining doctrines of election. In conversation with the writings of John Owen and Karl Barth, Suzanne McDonald argues that acknowledging the significance of “representation” — representing God to others and others to God — is key to understanding the nature and purpose of election. Re-Imaging Election investigates anew the scriptural contours of election and, especially, the prominent role of the Holy Spirit. Election, McDonald says, is not only “in Christ” but also “by the Spirit.”

While Re-Imaging Election is firmly rooted in the Reformed tradition, McDonald’s insights open up new opportunities for dialogue across the theological spectrum and offer possibilities for reclaiming this central but often divisive doctrine in the life of the church. (the biblio is: Re-Imaging Election: Divine Election As Representing God To Others & Others To God. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2010.)

She leans quite a bit on NT Wright, but in conversation with others (like Colin Gunton, Stanley Grenz, Miroslov Volf, James Torrance), especially with Karl Barth and John Owen. She critiques both the “Classic” (Owen) and the “neo-Classic” (Barth) view of election; while at the same time providing constructive resolution between both (e.g. Owen’s particularist “double-predestination” and Barth’s universalist “double-predestination”). Her primary thesis is that “election” is “representation,” which Scripturally means that Israel was to represent God to the nations, and now the Church is to represent Christ to Israel. There’s a lot more to this, you should go get your hands on her book if you can!