On the Way to Da Nang: Whosoever

Two decades ago, before Vietnam became a popular tourist destination, I was there, teaching English (ESL -English as a Second Language). I had to teach in order to justify my stay in this country that was leery of Americans. Life was typical for a foreigner in a far-away-place; then I met blond-haired Jon.

Jon was also an English teacher (from Canada). Naturally we gravitated to each other and enjoyed the familiarity of common culture. However, unlike myself, Jon was in Vietnam seeking a girl to wife: someone like his mother, someone who held to the Dutch Reformed Theology. Suffice it to say, Jon was a hard core Calvinist.

One day, Jon and I had to travel from Saigon to Da Nang by coach rail car. (Vietnam only has one rail line and so options are limited.) I wasn’t looking forward to the trip, for by now my fellowship with Jon had gone flat: while he did speak English, he also, without exception, would perpetually argue, or attempt to argue, Calvinism with me. So, when Jon boarded the train and sat on the wood bench next to me, I sighed and braced myself for hours of TULIP prattle. (I really needed a nap!)

At the beginning, I looked earnestly at Jon and said, “You’re a skilled English teacher and you know the Bible, so may I ask you a question?”

“Of course,” he replied, seemingly eager to get at it.

“Ok, Jon, regarding whosoever or whomsoever, and salvation - for example, on Romans 10:13...” I stopped and asked, “Does your Bible say whosoever or whomsoever....?”

Jon answered, “whosoever.” I smiled and proclaimed, “Right!”

I think we turned to a few more references and ended up in John 3:7: “Ye must be born again.” “Jon, do you see the imperative?” He did indeed, his nod confirmed it. “Jon, what kind of pronouns are whosoever and ye? Are they subject (nominative), or object?”

Jon looked befuddled, so I added, “Jon, in light of Calvinism, why aren’t whomsoever and you used (object pronouns) ...why are whosoever and ye (subject pronouns) used?” “Jon, I’m taking a nap, but if you can answer this, wake me and illuminate me”

Time out

- Calvinism teaches pre-selection: and there’s nothing you can do, you can’t even believe, you are the object (you simply receive the work of the verb): "whomsoever and you" would validate this theory.

- But, as I pointed out to Jon, subject pronouns are used (whosoever and ye) — these indicate the pronoun is acting on the verb, or is somewhat responsible... for salvation (definitely not Calvinism). Additionally, the relative pronouns (who, whom) are inflected as -soever: anyone, indefinite; not limited to a select group of people – contrary to TULIP Calvinism.

As I closed my eyes, I glanced at Jon pondering this grammatical foil to his theology. Hours later, I awoke refreshed after an uninterrupted nap, almost to our stop in Da Nang. As I gathered consciousness, I saw Jon, apparently after hours of deep thought, still starring at the text! I had found rest.

Whosoever - Anyone that performs the action of the verb (subject)

Whomsoever - Anyone following the preposition, receives the action (object)

Ye - Plural pronoun, represents the subject

You - Plural pronoun, represents the object.

Study English language to properly study the English Bible.