How do Catholics and evangelicals differ from Reformed beliefs about election?

In contrast to Catholic and broadly evangelical beliefs that often promote a synergistic view of salvation where human cooperation is necessary, Reformed theology firmly upholds that God's election is unconditional. This means that He chooses whom He will save based solely on His purpose and grace, not on any foreseen merit or actions of individuals. Scriptural support for this can be found in Romans 8:29-30, where it emphasizes God's initiative and sovereign choice in salvation. This belief underscores God’s absolute authority and dismisses any notion that human beings can influence their own salvation. Hence, this divergence highlights a fundamental difference in understanding God's role and human agency in redemption.