As we look at Predestination vs. Foreknowledge, we are looking at diametrically different views of Scripture. We might say this is a watershed issue. Those who adopt a view that God predestined before the creation of the world those who would be saved and those who would be damned will take a view very different from those who believe Scripture teaches that God foreknows those who will accept the Gospel, who will have a saving faith, and who will receive Jesus as their Lord!

As we begin, we must establish some rules of interpretation. The three rules of interpretation of Scripture that I deem to be of utmost importance are:

q ALWAYS let Scripture interpret Scripture. In law we saw that the interpretation must come from within the four corners of the document. Outside extrinsic evidence is not allowed. Scripture is God’s Word. It is ALWAYS capable of interpreting itself. The legal phrase is: Let the writing speak for itself.

q ALWAYS interpret Scripture in a way that is consistent throughout. Is God incapable of expressing himself? Of course not. Is God consistent? His word says he changes not.

q NEVER take a phrase from Scripture out of context, or out of the meaning of the sentence itself, and claim that is a truth from God.

As we look at the issues presented here, we will look at what Scripture says, how it is often misinterpreted, how consistent (or inconsistent) the interpretation is with other Scripture, and what the effect of one interpretation or the other would be on the Kingdom of God. We will also see how a bad root will affect subsequent fruit. We will see how a serious misinterpretation of Scripture will lead to one bad doctrine after another, all tending to impact on whether or not the people who hold to such views will be saved.

Finally, please do not be discouraged by the idea that this is difficult. Studies have shown that Scripture has been written at the sixth grade level. Yes! The sixth grade! That means all of us should be able to understand God’s word. Isn’t that what he wants? Of course. God is patient with us, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:8).

Part I: The Problem Defined

Predestination and Foreknowledge Defined

Predestination is a term that has been popularized from Calvinism. It holds that because God is sovereign, he determined (predestined) before the foundations of the earth who would be saved and who would be damned. The doctrine did not originate from Calvin, but rather from Augustine in the third century. It was advocated by Luther and popularized by Calvin.

Foreknowlege is an attribute of God who is outside time and space and who has the ability to know the beginning from the end. God can foreknow who will be saved. This view believes that God does not predetermine (predestine) who will be saved, but rather foreknows who will be saved.

As we will see, there is a huge difference in the beliefs of those who hold to one or the other of these two beliefs. For many it may be a watershed difference. To believe the wrong way may cause that person to end up in a place very different from what they hoped – the difference could be between heaven or hell.

Predestination Issues Which Conflict With Scripture

Likely most readers will agree that Scripture calls the followers of Jesus to be righteous (Matthew 5:20, James 1:20, 1 Peter 3:12, 1 John 3:7), holy (Luke 3:34, John 6:68, Acts 3:14, Acts 4:27,30 – of Jesus; Luke 9:26 – of angels; Acts 3:21 – prophets; Romans 12:1 – all believers) , and obedient to the will of God (Matthew 7:21) and the teachings and commands of Jesus (Matthew 28:20).

I was only 10-12 years old, attending both a Presbyterian and Reformed Church, taking the advanced catechism of both churches, when I concluded that if the doctrine of predestination was true, then whatever I did or didn’t do meant nothing. If God had predestined me by name to be saved before the foundations of the earth, then I would be saved because he is the sovereign God, whether or not I wanted to be saved, whether or not I was righteous, whether or not I was holy, or even whether or not I believed.

Naturally I learned of irresistible grace (both churches were Calvinistic in their teachings) that would cause a person to be saved whom God had predestined to salvation, whether or not he desired to be saved. It does not take a mental giant to realize that the doctrine of predestination takes away all responsibility from man. Man has no reason to do anything in particular with respect to his salvation. He just has to wait around to see whether God will irresistibly save him. If he doesn’t, he must be one of those predestined to be damned. If God does irresistibly save him, then it is not his doing, nor is continuing or persevering in the faith.

It also naturally follows that there is really no reason to have “church.” Why should anyone bother to attend church or meet with other Christians? No one can cause anyone to be saved that God has not predestined to be saved. Though it is possible to be instrumental in helping save someone that God had predestined to be saved, it is not important that we do so, as God would simply have saved that person some other way.

In the same reasoning, it is utterly foolish to have foreign missions or any kind of outreach to our nation or community. We will accomplish NOTHING that God has not already predestined, i.e., we can help save no one that God has not already predestined to be saved. And those that are predestined to be saved will be saved, with or without our help and effort.

The Scripture has no application to those who are predestined to be saved and none to those who are predestined to hell. If a person predestined to damnation kept every law and precept and followed every teaching of Scripture exactly as written, he would still be damned to hell because God is sovereign and has predestined him to hell before the foundations of the earth. On the other hand, all the teachings and commands and warnings of Scripture are meaningless to those predestined to be saved. They will be saved whether or not they keep such teachings and commands and whether or not they take heed to the warnings of Scripture.

Also, Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection are also meaningless. Salvation is not really dependent upon Jesus’ atoning death. Salvation is really only dependent on being predestined to be saved. If you are not predestined to be saved, you cannot be, no matter how much you want to, no matter how much you believe in the atoning death and sacrifice of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins and seek to follow him as your Lord.

However, Calvinists recognize that many do seem to start well, with all the earmarks of having been saved (predestined to salvation). Yet, something happens and they fall away. Naturally this is not possible (in the Calvinist’s point of view) if someone has been predestined to salvation. Thus they had to explain the phenomenon of those who begin as apparent believers but later fall away. They did this through what they called “evanescent grace.” Evanescent grace is that grace given to those who are really damned, but which allows them to believe they are saved and to act as though they are saved. At some later time, according to his will (or whim), God withdraws his (evanescent) grace and damns them.

The above is true. Naturally, that does not sound good, and is utterly inconsistent with Scripture, so the Calvinists came up with other doctrines to try to soften what is said above. But the essence of what is related above remains true, notwithstanding all the peripheral arguments advanced. Naturally some Calvinists say that the person predestined to salvation will persevere to the end, and will accept and have faith in the Lord Jesus and in his sacrificial death for the remission of sins. But it obviously is not the critical question, is it? The critical question remains whether or not the person is predestined to salvation or damnation.

Terms Associated with Predestination and Foreknowledge

Predestine or predestined are two terms that derive from the term Predestination. These terms are found in Scripture. We will examine what God has predestined.

Chose or chosen are two terms which also are used by those who claim predestination is how people have been determined who will be saved.

Elect is used in Scripture of those who are chosen. It is also used by those advocating the doctrine of predestination to refer to those that God has predestined to be saved.

Scriptures Which Define Predestination and Foreknowledge

One of the primary rules by which everyone should determine the truths of Scripture is to let Scripture define Scripture.

Elect and chosen are defined in 1 Peter 1:1-2:

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,

To God’s elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, ²who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood:

Grace and peace be yours in abundance.^[1]

We see from the foregoing Scripture, that the elect are those who have been chosen. It is clear from the passage that the two terms are related. What is critical in this passage is that it clearly defines how the elect are chosen: according to the foreknowledge of God the Father.

If you would understand Scripture correctly, it is essential you fix this point firmly in your mind. The passage does not say the elect who have been chosen were predestined to be the elect and the chosen. No, it says the elect were chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. Whenever we see the terms elect and chosen in the future, we can add the parenthetical phrase (according to the foreknowledge of God the Father) to make the passage abundantly clear and to remind ourselves of the correct meaning.

Thus, all instances in the New Testament writings where the words "elect" and "chosen" are used, we know that this refers to those elected or chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. The reverse is also true. Those God foreknows will be saved are the elect and the chosen.

Predestined (as used in Scripture) is defined in Romans 8:29:

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. ²⁹For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ³⁰And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified (Romans 8:28-30).

What does the term predestined mean in vs. 29? It means that God predestined a qualification for all those God foreknew as the elect and the chosen. The predestined qualification is that they MUST BE conformed to the likeness of his Son. This is a qualification pre-determined or predestined by God for all those who will be saved. We also know from vs. 28 that two additional characteristics of the elect and the chosen that God foreknew are that they love him and have been called according to his purpose.

Let’s now look at passages which speak of predestine, elect, or chosen, and see how they read when they are interpreted according to the above scriptures.

Part II: Scriptures Examined

Ephesians 1:1-14

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:

²Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

³Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love ⁵he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— ⁶to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. ⁷In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. ⁹And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, ¹⁰to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.

¹¹In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ¹²in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. ¹³And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, ¹⁴who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:1-14).

The above scripture in bold print are those areas that we will look at most closely, as they contain the key words we’re examining in this study.

To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:1).

This portion of vs. 1 was included as it is always important to see to whom the letter was written. In verses 4 and 5 we see the term “us”. Now we know “us” means the saints, the faithful in Christ Jesus.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight (Ephesians 1:4)

We know immediately how “chose” is to be interpreted from 1 Peter 1:2, don’t we? We can add the parenthetical phrase (according to the foreknowledge of God the Father) after “chose us in him”so the sentence could read: For he chose us in him (according to the foreknowledge of God the Father) before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

The phrase which has caused problems is “before the creation of the world.” That is actually a parenthetical phrase simply telling when the event took place. Parenthetical phrases are not necessary to the primary meaning of the sentence. The primary meaning is: For he chose us in him to be holy and blameless in his sight. That is the point Paul is making. He told us when by adding “before the creation of the world.” Perhaps the primary meaning of the sentence would have been clearer had the parenthetical phrase been first, i.e., “Before the creation of the world, he chose us in him to be holy and blameless in his sight.” That is an exact parallel in meaning to the passage, but lessens the difficulties that have been caused by careless reading on the part of those who misinterpret it.

Some have chosen to seek the meaning from just a portion of the sentence: “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world.” They put a period after “world” and treat it as an independent sentence. As we have seen, that is not the purpose nor meaning of the sentence, though a truth could still be ascertained, i.e.: “For he chose us in him (according to the foreknowledge of God the Father) before the creation of the world.” That now is a true statement and is Scripture defined by Scripture. However, it is NOT the meaning of that sentence.

I believe Paul was trying to emphasize to his readers that those God chose in him are to be holy and blameless in his sight. That is further supported as we go back to one of our defining Scriptures – Romans 8:29. There we see that those God foreknew he predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son. Jesus was holy and blameless. Those God foreknew (chose) are to be holy and blameless, conformed to the likeness of Jesus. You can see how seamlessly the two Scriptures work together. They mean the same thing. Paul is using different terms to state the same message.

Likewise, note the end of Romans 8:28, “called according to his purpose.” What is God’s purpose? It is answered in the next verse – to be conformed to the likeness of his Son. It is also answered in Ephesians 1:4 – to be holy and blameless in his sight.

In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will (Ephesians 1:5).

Here again you can see how easily this can be misinterpreted. But remember that Romans 8:29 defines what we were predestined to do: “to be conformed to the likeness of his Son that he might be the first of many brothers.” Suddenly we see the exact parallel. If we are to be brothers of Jesus, we must be adopted as the sons of God. It is important to include the remainder of the sentence, as it makes the parallel complete: “in accordance with his pleasure and will.” Remember that Romans 8:28 said, “called according to his purpose”? His purpose (Romans 8:28) and pleasure and will (Ephesians 1:5) are that we be conformed to the likeness of his Son (Romans 8:29) and be holy and blameless in his sight (Ephesians 1:4).

Again, if you had nothing but this Scripture to be your guide, you might come to a wrong conclusion as to its meaning. But now let’s add the parenthetical phrases of the Scriptures which define the terms:

¹¹In him we were also chosen (according to the foreknowledge of God the Father [1 Peter 1:2]), having been predestined (to be conformed to the likeness of his Son [Romans 8:29] and to be holy and blameless in his sight [Ephesians 1:4]) according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, ¹²in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:11-12, with parenthetical phrases included).

Now there is neither difficulty nor ambiguity is there? It is all beautifully consistent, just as we would expect Scripture to be. It is more perfectly consistent as we examine the last phrase “for the praise of his glory.” How will we be for the praise of his glory? When we are conformed to the likeness of his Son and are holy and blameless in his sight.

Let’s look at all other occasions when the terms chose, chosen, elect, predestine, and foreknew appear to see if Scripture continues to be perfectly consistent and whether it can always be interpreted in a perfectly consistent manner.

Colossians 3:12

Paul told the Colossians:

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Colossians 3:12).

Paul is simply urging God’s chosen people (chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father) to fulfill the teachings and commands of Jesus and to do the will of God which will both be true of those who will be saved. He is also instructing them how to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus. All the qualities enumerated there are the qualities present and displayed in the life of Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

Paul is writing to the Thessalonian Church which he describes in his introduction as: To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, ⁵because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5).

Here Paul says evidence of the Thessalonians being chosen (according to the foreknowledge of God the Father) is in part, at least, from what accompanied the Gospel as it was presented to them. It came with power, with the Holy Spirit, and with deep conviction on the part of the Thessalonians.

ALL those things would be expected from people who would receive the Gospel, just as God the Father foreknew they would.

2 Thessalonians 2:13

Again Paul is speaking to the Thessalonian church:

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13).

Again we find the meaning is consistent. Rephrased, . . . from the beginning God chose you (according to the foreknowledge of God the Father) to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. That is the description of how we are to be saved – through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through a saving faith – belief in the truth.

Titus 1:1

This time Paul is writing to Titus:

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness—(Titus 1:1).

Again, let’s rephrase this: . . . for the faith of God’s elect (chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father) and the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness.

Here we find both elements, i.e., those who are foreknown by God to be among the saved will have a saving faith. Paul says he is a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect. Also we have found that the purpose is that God’s elect be conformed to the likeness of Jesus, that they be holy and blameless in his sight, and that they be for the praise of his glory. And, as expected, Paul says his secondary purpose is to give the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness. How wonderfully consistent is God’s word.

Romans 11:1-6

Several times during his letter to the Romans, Paul uses the terms the chosen, the elect, election, and predestine. We’ll quickly examine each of them in light of the definitions Scripture has already given us:

I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. ²God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: ³“Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”? ⁴And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” ⁵So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. ⁶And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day (Romans 11:1-8).

This is a wonderful passage that explains itself. In verse 2 Paul explains God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Verse 5 declares there is a remnant chosen by grace. Those are “his” people, whom he foreknew (as explained by scripture in verse 2). Likewise in the 6^th verse, Paul declares again there is a remnant chosen by grace – “his” people, whom he foreknew.

Romans 11:28

We have already seen from earlier in the chapter that Paul spoke of God’s people whom God foreknew. Read the following with that in mind:

As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs,²⁹for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable (Romans 11:28-29).

Let’s restate it with the definition of 1 Peter 1:1-2 included:

As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies on your account; but as far as election is concerned (being chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father), they are loved on account of the patriarchs,²⁹for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable (Romans 11:28-29).

When we use Scripture to explain Scripture it becomes so easy to understand. The foreknowledge of 1 Peter 1:2 is the same foreknowledge as began this chapter in verse 2. There is no predestination of those who will be saved. It is by God’s foreknowledge that there are the chosen and the elect.

Romans 9:8-24

Let's look next at one of the most interesting uses of the term “election.” We’ll begin with the text that contains the story of Esau and Jacob, as Paul related it:

In other words, it is not the natural children who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as Abraham’s offspring. For this was how the promise was stated: "At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."
Not only that, but Rebekah’s children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. 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."
It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.
One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’" Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?

What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath — prepared for destruction? What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory — even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? (Romans 9:8-24).

The portion in bold print is the part most often misinterpreted. A casual reading may indeed infer that God predestined hatred toward Essau and love toward Jacob. Scripture often requires more than a casual reading in order to mine the gold of its truths. It is so in this case. A casual reading can lead to false doctrine. Let's take a closer look.

Election:

What is God’s election (as used by Paul in Romans 9:11)? Is it something he predestined before the foundations of the earth that would be required of men without regard for their will? Or is it the result of his foreknowledge?

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" (Romans 9:11).

Let’s try to understand this now in terms of what we’ve already learned, as Scripture has defined itself. Election, we’ve seen, refers to the choosing of God’s people, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father (1 Peter 1:2).

God’s Purpose in Election

Let’s examine God’s purpose in election by looking again at Romans 8:28-29:

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 (Romans 8:28-29).

What is God's purpose – his "purpose in election"? Isn’t it that we be conformed to the likeness of his Son that he might be the firstborn among many brothers (Romans 8:29), that we be holy and blameless in his sight (Ephesians 1:4), and be for the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1:12)? More simply stated, God’s purpose in election for those chosen (elected [according to the foreknowledge of God the Father]) is to be like Jesus (1 John 2:6).

Perhaps that is the thrust of the parable Jesus told of the wedding guests:

"But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. ‘Friend,’ he asked, ‘how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless" (Matthew 22:11-12). The man was not conformed to the likeness of the Son – not dressed in wedding clothes. He was dishonoring to his host, coming to a wedding without wedding clothes, and disobedient to the requirement or custom that wedding clothes be worn to a wedding. What was his punishment? Jesus told us: "Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:13).

But Jesus makes one more point at the end of the parable. Many are in