Q

What does the Bible say about Predestination? ----- What are your thoughts on this topic?
~Mr. T

A

Dear Mr. T,

Scripture teaches the idea of predestination in many places (read for example: Acts 17:26-27 Romans 8-9 and Ephesians 1), but there is much controversy concerning the nature and degree of God's control over the future.

Most Christians agree that God knows the future perfectly, not only what events will happen, but also what choices individuals will make. There is, however, great disagreement as to whether or not God has a controlling influence over those choices. Some Christians say that God is in complete control over what decisions a person will make, whereas others say that God does not control a person's decisions, but that he, knowing what decisions the person will make, allows those decisions to be made and then responds to them in whatever way seems best.

It seems to me that the latter of these two views is the more scriptural view. John 6:64-65 tells us that "Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray him. And he said, ‘Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to me unless it has been granted to him by my Father.’" This passage seems to connect God's purposes in predestination with his knowledge of who would believe in him, and who would reject him.

Acts 17:26-27 tells us that God "has determined their [that of all men] pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord in the hope that they might find him, though he is not far from each one of us". This passage seems to imply that God hand picked the times and places in which people would live, because he wanted to maximize the opportunities for people to seek him and find him. This implies that, although sovereign and in control of the events of this world, God is working to brings people to the point in which they might find him, and the presence of the word "might" implies that they might not, which means that they are free. So, in answer to your question, yes I do believe in predestination, but I also believe in free will, and I cannot fully reconcile these two seemingly contradictory views completely.

I hope that you found this response helpful.

Blessings,
Thom

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