What does the Bible say about unconditional election?

Unconditional election is a doctrine rooted in the Scriptures, particularly highlighted in passages such as Romans 8:29-30 and Ephesians 1:4-5. In these verses, we see that God's election is not based on what individuals do or will do; rather, it is an act of His sovereign grace. God foreknows individuals not in a merely prescient sense, but in a relational and covenantal way, indicating His intimate knowledge and love towards those He has chosen, leading to their eventual salvation.

The idea of election being unconditional emphasizes that God's choice is based solely on His will and purpose, independent of any human actions. Loraine Boetner states that to view election as a response to foreseen faith is to misunderstand its nature. Instead, Scripture presents a God who sovereignly ordains events and individuals before the foundations of the world, illustrating that His grace operates fully apart from human merit or decision—a central theme of the Reformed tradition.