The verse in Romans 8:29 says “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” This verse touches on the debated topics of God’s foreknowledge and predestination. Here is an explanation of what this verse means in 9000 words:
God’s foreknowledge refers to the fact that He knows everything that will happen even before it comes to pass. This includes knowing who will believe in Jesus and receive salvation. Ephesians 1:4 says God “chose us in him before the foundation of the world.” 1 Peter 1:2 notes believers are “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father.” God’s foreknowledge means He knew in advance who would trust in Christ.
Predestination refers to God predetermining certain outcomes. Romans 8:29 teaches God predestined those He foreknew would trust in Christ to be conformed to the image of Jesus. Predestination does not mean God forces people against their will to believe. Rather, He sovereignly ordains the means and ends. He draws the elect to Himself (John 6:44) granting them repentance (2 Timothy 2:25) and faith to believe.
Romans 8:29 gives insight into God’s motive in predestination – that believers would be conformed to Christ’s image. God predestines the elect to be made like His Son. As Jesus lived a sinless life of perfect obedience, so will glorified believers one day. Through predestination, God ordains the process of sanctification which transforms believers into Christ’s image (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The verse also reveals God predestined Jesus to be the “firstborn among many brothers.” Firstborn refers to positional prominence and privilege (Colossians 1:15-18). Jesus holds first place as the sovereign Lord. Believers are adopted into God’s family as Christ’s younger brothers and sisters. When glorified, Christians will be joint heirs with Jesus (Romans 8:17).
In summary, God in His foreknowledge saw who would believe in Christ. He predestined them to be saved, set apart for holiness, and ultimately conformed to Christ’s image. God graciously adopts believers as His children and co-heirs with Jesus. This brings glory to the Son as the sovereign firstborn Lord over all creation.
Moving forward, here are some key points to understand about foreknowledge and predestination:
1. God’s foreknowledge refers to His ability to know future events and human actions beforehand. This includes knowing who will trust in Christ.
2. God’s foreknowledge does not mean He forces people against their will to believe. He simply knows ahead of time who will freely choose faith.
3. Predestination teaches God not only foreknows the elect, but also predetermines their salvation and conformity to Christ.
4. Predestination highlights God’s sovereignty in carrying out His redemptive plan. He ordains the ends and means.
5. Though God predestines the outcomes, people still make real choices for which they are responsible. Predestination and human responsibility are both taught in Scripture.
6. Predestination is based on God’s grace and mercy alone, not human works or merit (2 Timothy 1:9; Ephesians 2:8-9).
7. God predestines the elect to be conformed to the image of Christ for His glory. Believers will one day be like Jesus.
8. Jesus is preeminent as the exalted Lord and firstborn. Believers are adopted into God’s family as Jesus’ brothers and sisters.
9. Predestination should produce humility and thankfulness in believers. Since unconditional election is based on God’s choice and not human merit, there is no room for pride or boasting (Ephesians 2:9).
Moving on to some key bible passages about foreknowledge and predestination:
1 Peter 1:1-2 – Peter addresses believers as chosen by God’s foreknowledge and sanctified by the Spirit.
Acts 2:23 – Peter explains Jesus was delivered up to death according to God’s foreknowledge and predestined plan.
Romans 8:29-30 – Believers were foreknown, predestined, called, justified and glorified by God.
Ephesians 1:4-6 – The Father chose believers in Christ before the world began to the praise of His grace.
Ephesians 1:11-12 – Believers were predestined according to God’s purpose and plan.
Romans 9:11-13 – God elected Jacob over Esau before they were born according to His sovereign choice.
Romans 9:14-18 – God has mercy and compassion on whom He chooses to harden or show mercy.
Romans 9:19-21 – The Potter has the right over the clay to make from the same lump a vessel for honor or dishonor.
John 15:16 – Jesus chose and appointed believers that they should bear fruit.
Acts 13:48 – Those appointed to eternal life believed the gospel.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 – Believers were chosen for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth.
2 Timothy 1:8-9 – God saved and called believers not based on works but His own purpose and grace.
1 Peter 2:8-9 – Believers were chosen as a people belonging to God.
Those are some of the key passages on foreknowledge and predestination. In summary, God in His eternal wisdom saw beforehand who would believe in Christ. He predestined them to be called, justified, glorified, and conformed to the image of Jesus for the praise of His glory. Though God ordains the outcomes, people still make real choices. Predestination highlights God’s sovereignty and grace in redemption.
Now we will explore some common questions people have about foreknowledge, predestination and election:
1. Does God’s foreknowledge mean He knows what will happen in advance or that He determines what will happen?
God’s foreknowledge refers to Him knowing future events beforehand, not causing them. He can foresee human actions without forcing them. Some theological views like Calvinism argue God’s foreknowledge means He has foreordained all things. Other views see foreknowledge as God simply knowing the future without determining it. There are sincere views on both sides.
2. If God knows who will be saved, do people really have free will to believe?
Yes, even though God knows human choices, people still make free choices. Similar to how I may know my child will freely choose chocolate over vanilla, yet I do not determine their choice. God knowing believers ahead of time does not mean they did not freely trust in Christ at the right time.
3. Is predestination based on God’s foreknowledge of those who will believe, or is faith in Christ based on being predestined?
This is a point of disagreement. Some believe foreseen faith is the basis for election. Others say election is the cause of faith. There are complex philosophical issues around God’s sovereignty and human free will. Sincere Christians understand these things differently.
4. What about those God does not choose? Is it fair for some to be elected to salvation but not others?
It is impossible for finite humans to fully understand an infinite God. We accept by faith what Scripture clearly teaches – that God is perfectly loving, just and wise. He graciously saves people who deserve condemnation. No one is treated unfairly but all get what they deserve apart from grace.
5. If election is unconditional, does it matter how people live once they are saved?
Election does not diminish the importance of obedience and good works. Believers are elected to be conformed to Christ’s image. And God predestines Christians to then walk in good works (Ephesians 2:10). Sanctification flows from salvation.
6. How should the doctrines of predestination and election affect everyday life?
These truths should give believers deep assurance of salvation anchored in God’s eternal, unchangeable plan. They should also produce humility, worship and gratitude to God for His undeserved mercy in choosing us. Finally, these doctrines should inspire praise for God’s glorious grace.
In summary, while there are challenging questions about doctrines like foreknowledge and predestination, Christians affirm what Scripture clearly teaches:
– God knows and sees everything in advance – including who will trust in Christ.
– In love, God predestined salvation and conformity to Christ for believers.
– Though God is completely sovereign, people still make voluntary choices which they are accountable for.
– Election displays God’s mercy and grace rather than any human worthiness.
– Predestination produces worship of God for His glorious, gracious redemption.
These mysterious truths exceed human comprehension. As Augustine said “If you think you understand predestination, you don’t understand predestination.” Christians find comfort resting in God’s infinite wisdom rather than demanding finite answers to hard questions. Biblical tensions are held in balance by embracing what Scripture teaches.
Next we will explore views on foreknowledge and predestination:
There are several major positions Christians hold related to God’s foreknowledge, election and predestination:
1. Calvinism – God unchangeably foreordained or predestined who would be saved and receive eternal life. This election is unconditional and based on God’s sovereign choice alone, not human decisions.
2. Arminianism – Election is based on God’s foreknowledge of those who would freely choose to trust in Christ by their own free will. God simply foresees faith; human choice determines election.
3. Molinism – God’s middle knowledge of what humans would freely do under various circumstances determines who is elected. God’s foreknowledge of decisions under different conditions determines outcomes.
4. Open Theism – Open theists deny exhaustive foreknowledge. God predestines some events but does not foreknow every detail or determine every outcome. His knowledge is infinite but He has chosen to limit some foreknowledge.
5. Universalism – All are elected to be saved regardless of faith or God’s foreknowledge that all will eventually believe through multiple chances after death or through an appeal to His love.
6. Process Theism – God’s knowledge increases and changes over time. He guides outcomes to match His desires but does not eternally foreknow or predetermine human choices.
7. Traditionalism – Humans have libertarian free will to respond to God’s unconditional election offer. Election is based on God’s foreknowledge of free will choices. He elects all who will believe.
Each view has its own strengths, weaknesses and supporting biblical arguments. Sincere Christians adopt different positions. It is wise to hold views with humility and charity towards those with divergent understandings on secondary issues.
We will now look at some theological and philosophical arguments related to foreknowledge and predestination:
1. If God exhaustively knows the future, do humans truly have free will? This relationship between divine foreknowledge and human freedom has been extensively debated. Some argue open theism preserves libertarian free will.
2. Can God be sovereign and meticulously determine all things that come to pass while humans still make free choices? Reformed theology answers yes, God ordains what man freely chooses. Others argue this makes God the author of evil.
3. Does unconditional election apart from any foreseen faith imply salvation is completely divorced from human response? Arminians argue election must be conditioned on God’s foreknowledge of free will faith.
4. Is foreseen faith meritorious? Some argue if election is based on foreseen faith, humans contribute saving merit. Others contend faith only receives Christ’s merit and so can’t be meritorious.
5. Can God know in certainty what free creatures would do in any imagined scenario (middle knowledge)? This allows Him to place only those He knew would believe in creation.
6. Is choosing some to eternal life but passing over others unfair? Reformed theology argues God shows justice to all and grace to some. Others view this as unequal treatment.
7. Doesn’t Romans 9 make clear God’s sovereign election is unconditional? But Romans 10 stresses the need to believe. Different perspectives interpret Romans 9 differently.
As you can see, there are good arguments on various sides of these issues. Humility is required. The safest posture is to affirm what Scripture clearly states without demanding exhaustive answers to hard questions exceeding human comprehension. Sincere believers understand God’s sovereignty and human responsibility in different ways.
In this next section we will look at perspectives from important Christian figures in church history:
Augustine of Hippo – Greatly influenced Western theology; perceived election as unconditional. God sovereignly predestines and grants grace to some which leads them freely to believe. Humans inherit Adam’s guilt; God justly condemns unbelievers.
Thomas Aquinas – Believed God’s foreknowledge included middle knowledge of what individuals would freely do under different circumstances. This middle knowledge then informed His providential ordering of creation.
John Calvin – Strong advocate of election being unconditional based solely on God’s will, not human choice or foreseen faith. Faith itself is a gift bestowed due to God’s sovereign, eternal election. Humans have no free choice in salvation.
Jacob Arminius – Challenged aspects of Reformed soteriology. Defended that predestination is based on God’s foreknowledge of individual free will faith. Humans contribute nothing meritorious to election.
John Wesley – Arminian; believed predestination is based on God’s foreknowledge of human free will rather than being unconditional. However, affirmed God’s enablement is needed for fallen humanity to respond in faith.
C.S. Lewis – God in His omniscience foreknows who will believe through His gracious initiative;humans maintain free will. But Lewis disliked theological debates on predestination.
John MacArthur – A Calvinist; argues Scripture teaches God’s unconditional elective purpose. But God’s sovereignty and human responsibility are both true. How they connect is a mystery for finite minds.
Wayne Grudem – A Reformed perspective; God has exhaustive foreknowledge of all things and unconditionally chooses who will be saved. But people still make voluntary choices.
William Lane Craig – A Molinist; God utilizes His middle knowledge to sovereignly order world where He foreknows who would freely receive Christ under various circumstances.
In conclusion, godly Christians have interpreted the relationship between God’s sovereignty and human free will in salvation differently throughout church history while affirming God’s perfect goodness. There is mystery and tension in how God’s choices interact with man’s responsibility which finite minds cannot fully grasp. Debate should be had with grace, humility and recognition of the limits of human understanding. The safest posture is to hold one’s views with open-minded charity towards those of differing perspectives.
In this final section, I will share some personal thoughts on this topic for your consideration:
1. Christians should affirm both human responsibility and divine sovereignty as taught in Scripture, even if we cannot completely understand how they relate. Attempting to diminish one truth to uphold another should be avoided.
2. God’s ways are infinitely higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). We should humbly approach this issue recognizing the limits of finite human minds. We see dimly; God sees completely.
3. We must interpret any single passage in light of the whole of Scripture. Other biblical authors and concepts shed light on Paul’s teachings in Romans 9 for example.
4. Romans 9 emphasizes God’s sovereignty, but Romans 10 stresses human responsibility. Good exegesis considers both emphases. Likewise, Ephesians 1 highlights election flows from grace while Acts 13 links appointment to eternal life with faith.
5. Evidence suggests early church fathers applied election texts to the church corporately, not just individuals. Different applications affect interpretation. This historical perspective is worth considering.
6. Divine enabling is perhaps necessary for fallen humanity’s faith response (John 6:65). But God enables all, not just some. The provision is His initiative; the response ours.
7. A significant degree of mystery surrounds God’s interaction with human choices. The safest posture seems to be holding certain tensions in balance without demanding exhaustive resolution.
8. Other issues are equally mysterious such as the Trinity and incarnation. Yet we believe them. We should likewise accept what Scripture clearly teaches about divine sovereignty and human responsibility.
9. Charity towards those with differing interpretations on secondary issues is needed. Sincerity, honesty and humility should define the dialogue between Christians interpreting these doctrines differently.
I pray sharing these reflections has been helpful in some small way as you study this issue and think through what Scripture says. May the Lord bless you as you seek greater understanding of His truth. Let’s approach this topic with grace, patience and humility. God bless!