Predestination

Abstract

Abstract Predestination is an English word which comes from the Latin verb for determining in advance, praedestino . The Latin itself resembles the Greek verb proorizo , itself a biblical word meaning to limit in advance (from pro ‐ meaning “before” and horizo meaning “to limit”). The friends of the recently released Peter and John pray, in Acts 4.28, “For in this city, in fact, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, gathered together against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed, to do whatever your hand and your plan had predestined to take place.” In Romans 8:29–30, Paul writes, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.” “But we speak God's wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory” (1 Cor. 2:7). The Letter to the Ephesians also contains uses of the verb proorizo : “He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will” (1:5). Again, Ephesians 1:11, “In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will.” So predestination is most certainly a biblical idea; the debate has been how best to understand it.