Jennifer Rothnie Supporter Housewife, Artist, Perpetually Curious

Predestination (as per the Biblical definition) means to set boundaries/limits/horizons upon something before hand. The Greek word (in Rom 8:29-30) is proorizó, which is from pró ("before") and horízō ("establish boundaries, limits"). Horízō is where we get the English term horizon.

The fact that God established rules and limits before time began is quite Biblical in regards to the physical universe, the path of salvation, the judgement for sin, the flow of history, etc. (Prov 8:22-31, Job 38:4-41, Psalm 136:1-9, Hab 2:2-3, Rom 9:16-18, Rev 17:16-18, Jer 51; Job 42:1, Prov 16:9, Isa 30:27-33, Isa 45:13, Jude 1:5-7, John 3:18, Mark 16:16, John 1:12, Psalm 1:1-6, II Thess 1:3-10, II Peter 2:1-22)

In regards to salvation: God set up the plan/rules/covenant of salvation before time began, that we could be adopted as sons and justified through Christ. (Rom 8:18-30, Acts 4:23-31, I Peter 1:10-12, Titus 1:1-3, John 10:9, John 14:6, Rom 1:1-3, I Tim 1:5-6, Psalm 11:2-9, Heb 6:13-20, I John 3:1-10, Dan 2:44, Eph 3:7-11, II Tim 2:1-13, etc). Unlike with nature, which God can supersede, God has bound Himself to this plan due to His own character and justice.

This plan of salvation God also predestined to include the gentiles, not just the Jews (Eph 3:2-6, Rom 3:21-31, Rom 9:1-26, Rom 15:5-13, John 1:11-13, Isa 45:9-10, etc.) 

So, when scripture speaks of predestination, there is nothing inherent in the term that would make it align with English concepts of destiny. No one is 'forced' to respond to the gospel in faith or 'prohibited' from responding; no one is 'fated' to choose Christ or not.

Rather, we are predestined according to the plan [of salvation], which was created because God works out everything in accordance to His will, so that all who put their hope in Christ will be saved! We are included in Christ because we heard the message of truth [the plan of salvation] and believed. God predestined that those in Christ, believers, be sealed with the Holy Spirit as a down payment of our future inheritance of eternal life! (Eph 1:11-14)

We didn't chose the way of salvation (God did), nor did we chose our own gifts or ministries (God did). We are, however, to have faith and follow (John 15:16, John 12:25-26).

For an analogy of how the Greek term proorizó, to set limits beforehand, differs from the concept of 'destiny', here is an analogy:

Ten people live on a tiny island with no apparent way off. A man comes and tells them their island is sinking and offers them free passage on his personal jet. Five of the islanders stay, refusing to believe the island is sinking. Three believe the island is sinking, but don't take the man's offer because they think they can find another way off. Two take the man's offer and escape - the rest drown.

'Destiny' would say the eight were fated to drown while the two were fated to be saved. Predestination, as per scripture, would hold that the way of salvation was predestined before hand (the man, free passage, airplane) and that the physics of the ocean/island/plane were pre-set.

The theory that God arbitrarily pre-chose certain people to be saved and certain people not to be saved does not seem to be biblical, as scripture states clearly that in no way has God purposed some not to be saved, as He desires that all be saved, and consistently calls men to repentance and faith. (I Tim 2:3-4, II Pet 3:9, Ezek 18:32-33, Ezek 33:11, John 3:16-17, Isa 30:15-18, II Chron 7:11-22, Rom 11:25-27, Rev 2:4-5, Mark 6:11-13, Acts 3:18-20, Rom 11:13-15, Rom 2:3-5, etc) As He did appoint the plan of salvation before time, it would be counter-intuitive that He would act by a different set of rules (Isa 45:18-25, John 14:6, John 1:1-18). God does know the end from the beginning, however, and as such those who do not believe stand condemned, as is the eternal destiny appointed for all those who refuse to believe (John 3:18, Psalm 73:1-28, Phil 3:17-21, Psalm 49:1-20, Rom 2:1-11, I Pet 2:7-9)

October 03 2016 • 13 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

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