Theology Simplified by Bob Yandian

Author:Bob Yandian
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781680317305
Publisher: Harrison House Publishers

Chapter Five

The Doctrine of PREDESTINATION

To say there is much confusion over this biblical doctrine would be an understatement. This confusion is not new but has been around for a long time. Many of the authors I study hold to the belief that God’s sovereignty guides His execution of our daily life and His control over every aspect of our life—past, present, and future. In other words, this is their view of predestination. Some of these authors date back for many decades and even centuries.

The Greek definition for predestination does not seem to help the issue either. The Greek word for predestination is proorizo and means to design or plan ahead of time. We cannot depend only on the Greek definition, but have to base our explanation of predestination on the context of the scriptures the word is found in.

The full meaning of predestination is the work of God the Father in eternity past on behalf of all believers to execute God’s plan for their life.

Although we will study election in the next chapter, it’s meaning is closely tied with predestination. Neither one, predestination or election, is tied to the sovereignty of God. These two words are found together in the scripture.

Just as He chose [elected] us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will (Ephesians 1:4,5).

The Prevailing Definition of Predestination

Because the definition of predestination means to design or plan ahead of time, it is taught widely today that God plans and designs only certain individuals to be saved or succeed in the Christian life. To simplify, some people are chosen by God to be saved and the rest of humanity are chosen not to be saved. In other words, God does the choosing and we have no input. We might say our faith in Jesus gives us eternal life, but those who believe in this extreme definition of predestination say it is still God’s choosing and you are saved by faith because God put His faith in you and causes you to be saved. It is also taught that because you do not know who is chosen and who is not, it is alright, but not necessary, to witness. Those who are predestined to be saved will find Jesus in some way whether we witness or not.

One minister I know says he talks to his children about God but does not know if they will be saved, because he does not know if they are divinely chosen to be saved or not. It is almost as if God flips a coin over every person born and heads or tails determines if they are predestined or not.

Who Is Worthy to Be Chosen?

One major problem with this view is there would have to be something good in the one chosen to be saved. No matter how small this good would

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