Let us be honest: Christians are some of the most argumentative people you will ever find. They constantly bicker over issues and dogma that really seem trivial. However, we cannot ignore these issues, pretending as if they dont exist, for they all carry the weight of some degree of importance. One issue that several of my Christian brothers and sisters have debated recently has proven to be one of contentious division in the church, as well as philosophically perplexing to those outside the church; it is the debate of predestination.
The big question: "Does the Bible really teach that people are predestined to go to either heaven or hell?"
With every question in life, our first source for direction must be the Word of God, so lets see what it has to say...
"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from Him comes to me." (John 6:44-45)
"When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed." (Acts 13:48)
"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world 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 1:4-5)
It seems quite apparent that these verses teach that we cannot come to God unless He first draws us to Himself. Such passages make it clear that those who choose Christ are people destined beforehand to be the eternal children of God. We will often hear that the human will is so fallen and captured by sin that only the Spirit of God can give a person a desire to know God and be freed by Him.
This is a difficult claim, and not only for people of faith. This principle is called determinism, and it is one side of a greater paradox that has defied explanation not only by Christian theologians but by atheistic philosophers as well. Both sides have struggled with two seemingly irreconcilable aspects of human experience: freedom vs. determinism.
"What of the human free will?" "If the choice is not ours, how can we truly love God?"
God is in control of His universe...and it is His universe. He made it. He runs it. One day, He will end it and make a new one. We know this. So if God is completely Sovereign over everything and everyone in it, does this mean that he controls our very hearts and minds, our ability to choose or reject? Or is He in command over everything but that one area, no because He cant control it, but because He chooses not to?
The Bible holds both sides in tension without trying to resolve the problem for us. While teaching that God is in control of His universe, the Scriptures make it equally clear that He offers salvation to all and holds all accountable for the real choice of accepting or rejecting His genuine offer.
"This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him." (John 3:16-17)
"He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2)
These verses make it equally clear that the Gospel, the Good News is for the ENTIRE world. What is the purpose of giving it to all the world if only a select number are chosen to receive it?
The Bible isn't fatalistic. From beginning to end it is a book of hope. It is a book of love. It is Gods personal love letter to the world. That is what makes Christianity so unique, what sets it apart from any other belief system in the entire world: it is not man reaching out for God, but God reaching out for man. He desires us. He wants us. He pursues us. God has given everyone the ability of choice, and it is ours to respond to or ignore, to accept or dismiss.
It would not seem to be much of a love letter if we responded to that love because we were programmed to, yet God did create man to have someone to love Him and praise Him. Sounds egotistical, but He is God. However, although that is our purpose, we clearly have a choice, dont we?
Yet in the midst of our choices is this truth: We do not rule God; He rules us. We are not sovereign; He is. We are responsible to choose Him, but are we so fallen in our own sin that when we do choose Him we sense that He has mercifully enabled us to do so?
Wise King Solomon wrote about this paradox when he penned:
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps." (Proverbs 16:9)
Here we see that a man has chosen his path, but the Lord guides His steps along the way. However, Solomon says just a few chapters later:
"A man's steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way?" (Proverbs 20:24)
You may notice that I have filled this post with questions. I have provided Scripture to reference so you can see for yourself what the Word says, but have I provided any answers? In a word: no. The reason being that I do not have the answer. I am not so arrogant to think that I have found the final answer to end the quarreling between denominations. I have studied and come up with my personal belief on the subject, as we all should:
"Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters...One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind." (Romans 14:1, 5)
Each one of us must be convinced his own mind about disputable matters. I think we can all agree that this is a disputable matter. Paul was saying that these issues are important and should not be ignored, but they are meant to be a personal choice. Each individual must study the Word and do their best to find the Truth.
"So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves." (Romans 14:22)
"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." (Romans 14:19)
Like I said, I do not have the final answer. I do not have the insight into the mind of God to tell you what the answer to this enigma is, and even if I did, I am sure you would not believe me or change your mind.
It is a confounding paradox. Only the eternal, infinite Creator is capable of reconciling both sides of this mystery. As Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans:
"Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! 'Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?' 'Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?' For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory for ever! Amen." (Romans 11:33-36)
What then is left for us?
Jesus told us exactly what we are to do:
"'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)
"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'" (Matthew 28:18-20)
In that, my friends, there is no mystery! | 
