“He chose us in him before the foundation of the world…”

Predestination is the biblical teaching that God predestines certain events and people to accomplish what He so desires.  It is often used in the same way as the word “election.” Wayne Grudem, in his book Systematic Theology lays out the process of salvation as the following: 

1.         Election (God’s choice of people to be saved)

2.         The gospel call (proclaiming the message of the gospel)

3.         Regeneration (being born again)

4.         Conversion (faith and repentance)

5.         Justification (right legal standing)

6.         Adoption (membership in God’s family)

7.         Sanctification (right conduct of life)

8.         Perseverance (remaining a Christian)

9.         Death (going to be with the Lord)

10.      Glorification (receiving a resurrection body) 

As with any doctrine or any teaching about the Bible, it should definitely not accepted as the truth just because a pastor, a guy with a Ph.D. said so, your dad, or because I said so (you’d have to be desperate to believe everything I say).  In light of that, I would like to point out specific messages in the New Testament that seem to affirm quite clearly that God ordained beforehand those who would be saved.  For example, when Paul and Barnabas began to preach to the Gentiles in Antioch in Pisidia, Luke writes, “And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of God; and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).  Here is an abbreviated list of passages that seem to point to an idea of predestination or election: 

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”  (Romans 8:28-30) 

"…to do whatever Thy hand and ^Thy purpose predestined to occur."  (Acts 4:27) 

"…but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory."  (1 Corinthians 2:7) 

“He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will…”  (Ephesians 1:5) 

“…also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will."  (Ephesians 1:11)  

"I do not speak of all of you. I know the ones I have chosen; but it is that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats My bread has lifted up his heel against Me.’" (John 13:18) 

"He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him."  (Ephesians 1:4) 

In chapter nine of Romans, when talking about God’s choosing Jacob and not Esau, Paul says it was not because of anything that Jacob or Esau had done, but simply in order that God’s purpose of election might continue.  Here is that verse:

“Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God's purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she was told, "The older will serve the younger."  Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." 

Many people refuse to accept this teaching of Scripture because it apparently does not offer human choice in the matter of salvation.  However, that is false.  According to this objection, the doctrine of election or predestination denies all the gospel invitation that appeal to the will of man and ask people to make a choice in whether to respond to Christ’s invitation or not.  Our choices are voluntary because they are what we want to do and what we decide to do (Paraphrase: Grant R. Osborne, “Exegetical Notes on Calvinist Texts”).  This also does not mean our choices are absolutely free, because, God can work sovereignly through our desires to that he guarantees’ that our choices come about as he has ordained.  This, however, can still be understood as a real choice because God has created us and he ordains that such a choice is real. Basically, God causes us to choose Christ voluntarily.  What do you think of that reasoning? 

Another objection that is commonly expressed is that the idea of election is unfair since it teaches that God chooses some to be saved and passes over others, deciding not to save them.  This objection is not a strong case for objection of this doctrinal view.  Why would the maker of the universe save ANY lowly humans?  Romans 9:18 says that God “has mercy upon whomever he wills, and he hardens the heart of whomever he wills.”  It is unjust of us to criticize God for choosing others and for not choosing others.

One more thing:  I do not believe that Jesus died for the entire human race.  If He did, all of humanity would be saved.  By condemning the non-believer to Hell, wouldn’t it be that he is paying DOUBLE for not accepting Christ?  If Christ died for all, the price has already been paid!  It would be unnecessary for a human to die again for a price that has already been paid by Jesus at Calvary.  Thoughts?

Alright, this is getting wicked long.  So I’m gonna end it.  Take care bud! 

Because of Him,

J. Hylander