Predestination is a theological doctrine that asserts God has foreordained all events throughout eternity. It is one of the most controversial and debated doctrines in Christian theology. At its core, predestination refers to the idea that God, in His sovereign will, determined in advance who would be saved and condemned. There are differing views on predestination among Christians, but it is most closely associated with Calvinism and the Reformed tradition.
The doctrine of predestination finds its roots in biblical passages that speak of God’s sovereign election. Verses such as Romans 8:29-30 lay out what is often called the “golden chain of salvation,” demonstrating that God foreknew, predestined, called, justified, and glorified believers. Ephesians 1:4-6 also supports predestination, stating that God “chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace.” Passages like these lead Calvinists to conclude that God, in His sovereignty, preselected certain people to be saved.
There are two main aspects to the doctrine of predestination: election and reprobation. Election refers to God’s choice to save certain individuals, while reprobation refers to God passing over others, leaving them in their sin and rebellion. These twin aspects result in a fixed number of “the elect” who will be saved by God’s grace and mercy. Calvinists argue this election is unconditional – it is not based on any foreseen faith or merit in the individual. Rather, God’s choice of the elect is based solely on His predetermined sovereign will.
The doctrine contrasts with theological perspectives such as Arminianism, which argues that God’s election is based on His foreknowledge of human faith. In this view, God does not predetermine who will be saved, but rather looks forward in time to see who will believe in Christ and elects them based on this foreseen faith. Calvinists, however, state that because all people are fallen and sinful, no one would come to faith apart from God’s intervening grace which regenerates them and grants them the gift of saving faith.
There are differing views within Calvinism on the precise nature of predestination. Infralapsarianism (also called sublapsarianism) argues that God’s election took place after the Fall, while supralapsarianism claims God determined the elect prior to the Fall as part of the divine decrees. There is also debate around the balance between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility/freedom in salvation. Nevertheless, all Calvinists emphasize God’s initiative in election as flowing from His predestining will.
One major biblical passage cited against the Calvinist doctrine of predestination is 2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” This verse is often used to argue that predestination goes against God’s universal salvific will. Calvinists respond by making qualifications and arguing that “all” means all types/groups of people rather than every single individual. There are many nuances in interpreting such passages related to predestination.
There are various philosophical and theological challenges often raised against the Calvinist doctrine of predestination:
- It is fatalistic and depicts people as passive pawns simply fulfilling a predetermined script.
- It portrays God as arbitrarily saving some but not others independent of any choice or action on their part.
- It undermines meaningful human freedom, moral responsibility, and the notion that love requires free will.
- It suggests God actively decrees and renders certain the damnation of the non-elect.
Defenders of Calvinist predestination attempt to address such charges in various ways. They argue that it does not diminish moral responsibility because people still choose according to their desires. They claim any loss of human autonomy is valid since God retains ultimate sovereignty. They frame election as an act of grace rather than injustice toward the non-elect. Each objection has counter-responses, showing the deepcomplexities around predestination.
In summary, predestination is the theological doctrine that God predetermined who would be saved and condemned. It has been a vigorously debated perspective throughout church history and remains controversial today. Calvinism is its main proponent, citing biblical support to argue that God sovereignly elected certain individuals to be saved by His grace and mercy alone. Critics claim it improperly exalts God’s sovereignty over human freedom and accountability. There are many intricate subtleties on both sides of the issue.
While predestination is considered a secondary doctrine over which Christians can disagree, it has far-reaching implications for one’s views on salvation, evangelism, God’s sovereignty, and more. The various perspectives on this topic display the diversity that exists within faithful biblical interpretation and theology. Sincere Christians can study the same Scriptures yet arrive at very different conclusions regarding the nature of election and predestination. There are good-faith arguments on multiple sides of this profound theological debate that is unlikely to be fully resolved this side of eternity.
Some key Bible passages related to predestination include:
- Ephesians 1:5 – “In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will.”
- Romans 8:29-30 – “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”
- Acts 13:48 – “When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.”
- John 15:16 – “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit–fruit that will last.”
- Ephesians 1:11 – “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.”
- Romans 9:11-13 – “(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.”
- John 6:37 – “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.”
- Acts 2:23 – “This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.”
There are also some prominent figures associated with the doctrine of predestination:
- Augustine – Early church father who developed a doctrine of predestination to counter Pelagianism which denied original sin and affirmed salvation by human effort.
- John Calvin – Leading 16th century Reformer whose theological system and emphasis on God’s sovereignty led to a strong doctrine of predestination.
- James Arminius – Dutch Reformer who broke with Calvinism and argued against unconditional election in favor of God’s foreknowledge of human faith as the basis for predestination.
- John Wesley – 18th century founder of Methodism who staunchly opposed Calvinist predestination and advocated for an Arminian perspective of conditional election.
- Jonathan Edwards – Prominent 18th century American Calvinist theologian and preacher who vigorously defended the doctrine of predestination.
- Charles Spurgeon – 19th century English Baptist pastor, known as the “Prince of Preachers,” who consistently preached on predestination from a Calvinist perspective.
There have been periods of intense debate over predestination throughout church history, such as:
- Augustine versus Pelagius in the 4th-5th centuries over the impact of original sin on human free will.
- The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century which saw Martin Luther affirm predestination and Erasmus oppose it.
- The Synod of Dort in 1618-19 which codified the Calvinist doctrine of predestination in response to Arminianism.
- The rise of Methodism in the 18th century under John Wesley’s challenge to Calvinist predestination.
- The Modernist-Fundamentalist debates of the 19th and early 20th centuries which included differing views of predestination.
Significant Christian theologians and traditions lineup on differing sides of the predestination issue:
- For Predestination – Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, Reformed/Calvinist tradition, Presbyterianism, Continental Reformed, Puritans, Jonathan Edwards, Charles Spurgeon.
- Against Predestination – Pelagius, Erasmus of Rotterdam, John Cassian, Jesuit order, Arminianism/Remonstrants, John Wesley, Methodism, Anglicanism/Episcopalianism, Eastern Orthodoxy.
In conclusion, the doctrine of predestination has been hotly debated for centuries. It strikes at the heart of profound theological questions regarding God’s sovereignty, human free will, election, and more. Sincere, knowledgeable Christians interpret the Scriptures and come to different conclusions on this issue. While important, it remains a secondary doctrine not essential for salvation. Christians united on the core of the Gospel can charitably discuss their differences on predestination while joining hands in preaching Christ.