predestination

A critic complains that if human beings have “free will,” they ought to be allowed to do anything they wish. How does the Christian respond to this foolish charge?

“Determinism” is a popular dogma — both in the skeptical community and in the religious environment. It has no support in either logic or scripture. Study this topic with us.

This article examines the theological foundation of Calvinism, its doctrine of predestination, and the implications of this doctrine for understanding salvation and evangelism.

A critic writes that if human beings have true “free agency,” then God could not punish them for their “sins.” He sees a conflict between the ideas of freedom and responsibility. Let us briefly consider this matter.

“Predestination” is the idea that God determined something beforehand. The noun itself does not appear in the Bible, but the verb behind it does. The Greek term is proorizo (pro — “before” and hori...

It is commonly alleged that Jesus, in John 6:37, endorsed the idea of “predestination” as popularized by John Calvin in the 16th century. Did he? Study this question with us.

Animals operate largely on instinct, an inherited pattern of behavior. Human beings are different. We are made in the very image of God himself (Gen. 1:26-27). We possess volition (i.e., the power ...

Explore Paul’s first sermon in Antioch of Pisidia. (See the picture of the archaeological ruins.) His message is still relevant to the debate over predestination and salvation through baptism.

Throughout God’s word, the responsibility of mankind to make a choice between serving God and Satan is clearly set forth.

Have you ever heard or read a statement that made you wonder how it ever could have been conceived? For example Bill O’Reilly, Fox News guru, said on national television that “the Catholic Church invented marriage” (WorldNetDaily, 2/10/2010). How does anyone that obtuse deserve a national audience? But he is not alone. Consider a few more quotes that are “simply outrageous.”

Does this passage teach that our salvation is strictly a matter of God’s arbitrary election before the world was made, irrespective of any choice that we might exercise in the matter?

A sincere reader wants to know whether or not Judas was “predestined” to betray Christ. He feels that certain New Testament passages suggest that he was. This week’s Question discusses this issue.

“Suffering” is a term that embraces the various physical and emotional ills to which the human family is heir. Skeptics charge that human suffering is irreconcilable with the idea of an all-powerfu...

The Bible affirms God’s omniscience (i.e., that he knows everything—past, present, and future; cf. 1 Sam. 16:7; Psa. 139; Is. 40:13ff; Acts 1:24; Heb. 4:13). 

One aspect of divine omniscience is "...

This article explores the concept of God’s drawing power as demonstrated through the teachings and miracles of Jesus Christ. It delves into the interpretation of biblical passages and debates around free will and the influence of the Holy Spirit.

This striking passage clarifies the connection between one’s knowledge of the truth and his salvation.

Is “faith” a gift of God that is bestowed independent of man’s freedom of choice? In a recent article we argued that such is not the case. In view of our dispute of the Calvinistic position, a courteous critic asks for an explanation of Hebrews 12:2, and the divine affirmation that Jesus is the “Author” of “our faith.”

Based upon a misunderstanding of Ephesians 2:8, some argue that “faith” is a gift from God, and that it is not, therefore, a condition of salvation. This theory is the offspring of Calvinism. This week’s question explores this issue.

Did Jesus receive a fair trial? Part 1 of this study examines the nature of the Lord’s path through the legal system of the time.