Resources/Articles
Chosen & Predestined
Text: Ephesians 1.1-6
Suppose an ad appeared in the newspaper announcing a cash giveaway at a certain department store. “Come and pick up your money!” the ad announced. When you arrived, there were thousands of people in the parking lot. A voice was heard over the loudspeaker calling out several names, and then the voice ceased. Finally, it was announced that those names called had been chosen before the ad appeared in the paper. They were the only ones who would receive any cash.
Did the department store int eh story above have a right to give away cash? Certainly. Did it have a right to pick out individuals to receive the cash? Yes, again. But was it fair to advertise the event as if anyone could come and receive money?
In a nutshell, this is the issue surrounding the Calvinistic doctrine of predestination. But in this case, we not only ask, “Is it fair?”, but we especially ask, “Is this true?”
The Calvinistic Concept of Predestination
John Calvin was a reformer of Christianity in the 16th century in Geneva, Switzerland. He was especially sensitive to the teachings of Roman Catholicism that works play an important role in one’s salvation. He was convinced that he saw an entirely different picture in the New Testament. He wrote, in Book 3, Chapter 21 of his Institutes of the Christian Religion: “By predestination we mean the eternal decree of God, by which he determined with himself whatever he wished to happen regarding every man. All are not created on equal terms, but some are preordained to eternal life, others to eternal damnation; and, accordingly, as each has been created for one or other of these ends, we say that he has been predestinated to life or to death.”
Paul seems to agree with Calvin in Ephesians 1.4-5. “Predestined” suggests that our destiny was set in “pre” times (i.e., before we were born) because we were chosen in Jesus “before the foundation of the world.” In this respect, our salvation owes only to his grace. Romans 8.28-30 points to this as well, teaching that some are “foreknown” by God (i.e., known by him before their birth). These are “predestined…called…justified.” But if a person has not been foreknown, they cannot obtain justification under any terms.
In 1 Peter 1.1-2, Peter also speaks of God’s foreknowledge and his act of electing some to sanctification in the Spirit. Israel is produced as an example of God’s election. Of all the nations on earth, God chose Israel to be his special people, simply because of his grace.
Acts 1.16-17 provides us with the example of Judas. Could he have chosen to do differently or was it predetermined that Judas would fall, and nothing could possibly have been done to change the outcome?
Does God alone make the choice on man’s salvation? Do humans have no choice in the matter? The Bible is very clear on man’s ability to choose salvation. Whatever the Bible means by “predestination” must be decided in view of this doctrine. Consider the following passages:
- John 17.17 — We are sanctified through the word that the Spirit has revealed, and through our obedience of that word.
- Acts 10.34-35 — Peter learned, by being called to the home of a Gentile, that God shows no partiality. Anyone who fears God and works righteousness is accepted by God.
- Acts 17.30 — Paul declared that God “commands all men everywhere to repent.” Why repent if we are not among the elect?
- 2 Thessalonians 2.13-14 — God chooses based on those who are willing to submit to sanctification through the Spirit and belief of the truth. We receive this calling through the gospel — a calling that extends to anyone, anywhere.
- Titus 2.11-12 — The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all.
- 1 Peter 1.1-2 — God’s foreknowledge doesn’t mean that he himself has assigned us to whatever fate we reap. It means that he knows the past, present, and future. All is clear to him. Here, it is applied more generally, meaning that God foreknew as children all who would submit to the sanctification of the Spirit and who would obey.
- Revelation 22.17 — The waters of life are offered to anyone who desires to come.
Guy N. Woods wrote: “The thoughtful reader will easily discern that election extends to character, and not to individuals. God has ordained, ‘from the beginning,’ that those possessed of a certain disposition or character are elected to salvation. Those who submit their wills to him, in obedience to the gospel, possess this disposition. Therefore, those who obey his will are elected” (Questions and Answers, Vol. II, p. 95).
Conclusion
A form of predestination in the true biblical sense occurs every day in every large city in the world. Airlines have predetermined that certain airplanes will carry passengers to certain destinations. But are individuals predestined? No, not until they board that plane. But when they satisfy the conditions by buying their tickets, they are predestined. Romans 2.4 — This is the God we serve. Anyone can come to him.
