On the
Underground forum, we've been having a debate about a few theological things, one of them being predestination. A fellow writer from the forum, Seth, just posted on his
blog about what he thinks about predestination (click the link above to read it). Instead of clog up his comments section, I thought I'd just reply here.
I'm going to say right out that I do not belive in predestination (the belief that God chose beforehand only some people to be saved and not others, and that you cannot turn to God unless he "lets" you. Please someone, if you have an objection to this definition, say so! :D ).
Seth quoted a couple verses from the KJV that supposedly support predestination. (As a side note,
King James himself was quite involved in the process of overseeing the translation work - he made sure that the new Bible supported the
Divine Right of Kings and other theological traditions and wording. In addition, King James was an Anglican, who believed in predestination.) Those verses do not have to support election as Seth or myself have defined it simply because they use the word "predestination". I will just touch on one of them before I go any further.
"In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves." Ephesians 1:5-6 NIV (The "in love" at the beginning is the end of verse 4.)
All right. The word "predestined" simply means that we, as humans, were made to be adopted as sons. That's what we were made for, that's our purpose. But if we live like it isn't, we are rejecting our "destiny".(And note the phrasing "in love he predestined us" and in "accordance with his pleasure" - that means that God wants us to be his children and knows that we will be the happiest when we are his children!) Now obviously, not all of us are going to be adopted as God's children. According to those who believe in election, that is because of God. He has not chosen to save them. But take a look at this verse - I Timothy 2:3-7 (NIV):
"This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants ALL men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for ALL men—the testimony given in its proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles." (emphasis mine)
Wait a sec - if God wants all to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth - and if Jesus gave himself as a ransom for all - that must mean literally what it says. He wants ALL to be saved. And right at the end there, he adds "I am telling the truth, I am not lying" - and that he is an apostle and "a teacher of the true faith".
If God wants all to be saved (and that is not the only place it says that!), then why would he choose only some and not others? That is the question that no one has yet answered for me. And why would such a loving God withhold from a human the chance to be saved from hell when he has done so to others (and when it is not based on the person's actions)?
In my opinion, the doctrine of election practically erases the Gospel message. By claiming that each person's destiny is prearranged, Jesus' call to turn from the old way and accept him is useless. A person who is not chosen will, of course, never do so; a person who is chosen will be "converted" by the power of God sometime during their life anyway. So either you go to heaven, or you go to hell - it's prearranged, and basically, nothing you do on earth matters. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that nothing in this life matters. There is a cry from every page, from the very heart of God, to turn to him and throw away our old life.
Of course God knows what we will choose in the end. But he does not make us choose it. We have to choose - that's the bottom line. True love does not make anyone do anything. I believe that God IS love.
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