Predestination, Omniscience, and the Foundation of the World

In our last study, we began studying the topics of election and predestination. Many hold to Calvinistic doctrines that teach that these words mean that God determines beforehand who will be saved. We have been examining these words in the Bible to see if there is any justification for this belief.

In our last study, we examined the word “elect.” From examining its occurrences, we find that it always means “the chosen.” Yet this choice is not to salvation, but to special service for God. For example, we saw that Judas Iscariot was chosen to such service, and he was in no way saved. Thus we saw that election has nothing to do with salvation. This brings us to the next relevant word in this study, “predestination.”

Election

The question of election and predestination is a difficult one for many Bible students. Since it is a topic discussed in the Bible, some seem to feel that modern interpretations of it must be true. As one gentleman put it to me, “The Bible talks about predestination, so I have to believe in it.” Yet just that something is in the Bible proves nothing, for we need to figure out not just what is in the Bible but also what the Bible says about it.

Some choose to accept the Calvinistic viewpoint that God determines everyone who will be saved far in advance of their birth. Some reject this and claim that we are completely free to choose whether or not to accept or reject Christ. Others hold that somehow there is a strange dichotomy whereby God chooses us and yet we still choose to believe by our own will. But all these viewpoints must somehow come to terms with the words “election” and “predestination.” In this study, we will begin examining this topic by studying the word “elect.”