Frankly Answered Questions - FAQs

Predestination and Foreknowledge

Q: I just wanted to tell you I really enjoyed the teaching on Sunday. Both my wife and I have always been very interested in the "predestination" issue. The lesson spurred a good discussion between us.

I've always been concerned that if there are people who are predestined to be saved, then that means there are others who are not. If that is correct, then aren't they just spinning their wheels through life, never having the opportunity to know God? I have a difficult time accepting that.

What I think is this:
1) That we were all known by God, in the beginning
2) God gave us the ability to choose, i.e.: Free Will
3) God knew which of us would/will choose Him
4) When Jesus died on the cross, He knew me, my wife, you, and others who will turn over their lives to Him.

So, Yes, there is free will. Yes, there is "Predestination" in the idea that God already knows who will choose Him, before we are born. Thus, when Jesus died for our sins, he died for the future sins of those of us who will ultimately choose Him?

So... are we close?

A: I have a bit of a different view on it. The view that you have espoused is really "foreknowledge" rather than "predestination." The "foreknowledge" view says just what you said: God knows ahead of time those who will accept him. This is a view that is held by some Christians. There was a Dutch teacher who taught this view. His name was James Arminius, so Christians who hold this view are often called Arminians.

The difficulty I have with this view is on point #2 that you mentioned: "God gave us the ability to choose, i.e.: Free Will." I can certainly agree that every individual has the ability to make choices, but this statement needs further clarification. The issue at hand is: "Does everybody have the ability to choose Christ and salvation?"

Concerning that question I would have to say "no." Actually the Bible teaches that NO ONE has the ability to choose Christ and salvation. In fact, no one wants to even seek after God (Romans 3:10-11; 8:7). Because we are so sinful and because we are born rebels, we do not even care to seek after God. Every part of our being has been affected by sin, including our "chooser" (Romans 8:7). In regards to salvation, our will is not free, but enslaved to our evil nature (John 8:44). So for someone to come to Christ, God Himself must reveal Himself (Romans 10:20) and draw them (John 6:44,65; Titus 1:15) and open their heart (Acts 16:14) and make them alive (Ephesians 2:1-5).

I realize that this view flies in the face of our American "can do", "I choose" culture. And I want to assure you that I believe in freewill regarding things other than salvation. But concerning salvation I am God-centered, believing that no man has the power (or even the desire) in and of himself to choose Christ.

I also realize that this view creates logical problems such as you have mentioned: "I've always been concerned that if there are people who are predestined to be saved, then that means there are others who are not. If that is correct, then aren't they just spinning their wheels through life, never having the opportunity to know God? I have a difficult time accepting that." The writers of the Bible are also aware of these logical problems (example: Romans 9:14-24).

My commitment has always been to the truth of whatever the Bible says (even if I can't make complete rational sense of it). I do believe that it will make sense one day. But I also know that I am a finite being and "God's thoughts are not my thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8).

If you would like to do more study on this view, I would suggest a wonderful book called "The Bondage of the Will" by Martin Luther. It is very readable and persuasive. Two other classics on the subject are "The Freedom of the Will" by Jonathan Edwards and "Willing to Believe" by R. C. Sproul.

Please understand that while this is an important topic, it is also an issue that Christians have debated for many years. All of the elders of the church believe in "predestination," but we have many members of the church who do not and we still love one another and work together in Christ.