Predestinate

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notmartha
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Predestinate

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In Ben Williams’ latest Straight Talk newsletter he discusses the doctrine of predestination:
Predestination is a doctrine popularized in the teachings of John Calvin (1509-1564), a French theologian who influenced the Protestant Reformation. Many churches teach some or all of Calvin’s doctrine.

The five points of Calvin's doctrine are summed up in the acronym “TULIP.”

1. Total depravity (The curse of Adam’s sin [called “original sin”] is passed down to all people. Everyone is born depraved and condemned to Hell except for a few selected by God who receive “grace” - an exemption from the curse).
2. Unconditional election (Before the foundation of the world God chose [elected] certain people, yet unborn, to receive “grace. “At the beginning of time God determined for all time who will be “saved” or ”not saved.” Nothing men can do will affect or change God's “election.’)
3. Limited atonement (God's “grace” is only for those who were predestined to be exempted from the curse.)
4. Irresistible grace (Those who are “pre-chosen/ elected" cannot resist or refuse their call to “grace.” “Salvation cannot be resisted.)
5. Perseverance of the saints (Once saved, always saved. The “elect can never “fall from grace” regardless of how they live their lives).

According to the teachings of Calvin men have no free will or choices in life. They are compelled to follow God's precise plan for them. There is no real threat of falling into temptation because men's lives are predetermined. Men cannot choose to follow or not follow God. They can only do what God has predestined them to do. Men can do nothing to affect or influence God.

Some or all of this strange belief has been adopted by most churches. Churchgoers appear to have no idea what kind of monstrous theology this is.
Download Straight Talk HERE to read the rest of this edifying article.


Following is more on the term “PREDESTINATE.” See also SOVEREIGN, ELECT

BIBLE

Strong's Concordance, James Strong, 1890
Greek Strong's Number: 4309
Greek Word: προορίζω
Transliteration: proorizō
Part of Speech: v
English Words used in KJV:
predestinate 4
determine before 1
ordain 1
[Total Count: 6]

from <G4253> (pro) and <G3724> (horizo); to limit in advance, i.e. (figurative) predetermine :- determine before, ordain, predestinate.

King James Version of the Holy Bible, 1769
Romans 8:28-30 -

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.


Compare to Young's Literal Translation, 1898
Romans 8:28-30 -

And we have known that to those loving God all things do work together for good, to those who are called according to purpose; because whom He did foreknow, He also did fore-appoint, conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be first-born among many brethren; and whom He did fore-appoint, these also He did call; and whom He did call, these also He declared righteous; and whom He declared righteous, these also He did glorify.
King James Version of the Holy Bible, 1769
Ephesians 1:3-14 -

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.


Compare to Young's Literal Translation, 1898
Ephesians 1:3-14

Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who did bless us in every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, according as He did choose us in him before the foundation of the world, for our being holy and unblemished before Him, in love, having foreordained us to the adoption of sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, in which He did make us accepted in the beloved, in whom we have the redemption through his blood, the remission of the trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, in which He did abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the secret of His will, according to His good pleasure, that He purposed in Himself, in regard to the dispensation of the fulness of the times, to bring into one the whole in the Christ, both the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth--in him; in whom also we did obtain an inheritance, being foreordained according to the purpose of Him who the all things is working according to the counsel of His will, for our being to the praise of His glory, even those who did first hope in the Christ, in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth--the good news of your salvation--in whom also having believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance, to the redemption of the acquired possession, to the praise of His glory.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, Matthew George Easton, 1897
Predestination

This word is properly used only with reference to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Rom 8:29, 30; 1Co 2:7; Eph 1:5, 11; and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or "determinate purpose" of God governs all events.

This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the "secret things" of God. But if we take the revealed word of God as our guide, we must accept this doctrine with all its mysteriousness, and settle all our questionings in the humble, devout acknowledgment, "Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight."

For the teaching of Scripture on this subject let the following passages be examined in addition to those referred to above; Gen 21:12; Ex 9:16; Ex 33:19; Deut 10:15; Deut 32:8; Jos 11:20; 1Sa 12:22; 2Ch 6:6; Ps 33:12; Ps 65:4; Ps 78:68; Ps 135:4; Isa 41:1-10; Jer 1:5; Mark 13:20; Luke 22:22; John 6:37; John 15:16; John 17:2, 6, 9; Acts 2:28; Acts 3:18; Acts 4:28; Acts 13:48; Acts 17:26; Rom 9:11, 18, 21; Rom 11:5; Eph 3:11; 1Th 1:4; 2Th 2:13; 2Ti 1:9; Tit 1:2; 1Pe 1:2. (See DECREES OF GOD; ELECTION OF GRACE.)

Hodge has well remarked that, "rightly understood, this doctrine (1.) exalts the majesty and absolute sovereignty of God, while it illustrates the riches of his free grace and his just displeasure with sin. (2.) It enforces upon us the essential truth that salvation is entirely of grace. That no one can either complain if passed over, or boast himself if saved. (3.) It brings the inquirer to absolute self-despair and the cordial embrace of the free offer of Christ. (4.) In the case of the believer who has the witness in himself, this doctrine at once deepens his humility and elevates his confidence to the full assurance of hope" (Outlines).
Anti-Thought-Control Dictionary created by American Christian Ministries
PREDESTINATION

CHURCH MEANING: God's pre-set immutable schedule of men's lives from beginning to end. It means that the course and details of our lives (and the universe) were permanently set, once for all, before the creation.

ACTUAL MEANING: The term "predestinate," inserted by translators into some English versions of the Bible, is a mistranslation. The correct translation is "foreordain" or "pre-sanction." It means to commission or authorize at the start; to sanction a course before it is embarked upon.

There is an important difference between "predestinate" and "foreordain." "Predestinate" refers to how something will be completed. "Foreordain" refers to how something will be started.

The term "predestination" has been misapplied by the churches to build a doctrine of Fatalism (the inability of man to affect the course of his own life). It claims that all of life's events and details are pre-set according to an immutable schedule instituted before creation. However, the correct term, "foreordain," indicates no such thing.

God foreordained (pre-commissioned) Israel by a covenant. Israel accepted the covenant, then abandoned it and fell from grace. God divorced her and sent her into captivity. Thus, the ordination was not immutable. I could be followed, or not followed.

The question is not whether God can see the future, but if "predestination" is a Biblical term. If the term is not Biblical, then neither is the doctrine.

Jesus himself was unaware of such a doctrine. His prayer, just before crucifixion, was a plea to change his immediate future if his Father was willing (Matt.36:39). If all things were predestined Jesus would have known better than to pray for a destiny other than the one that eventually occurred.
The Works of James Arminius
Arminius on Predestination.pdf
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Predestination and Transgression by Randy Lee
The word "predestinate" and its "true" meaning has always been a "multi-doctrinal bone of contention" for the "scholarly" theologians of the world. I have, up until this time, avoided their Hegelian controversy and will continue to avoid it because all of the "theories" are designed to divide and seen for what they really are--spiritually dead theories. The thesis and antithesis of the two opposing "sides" to this controversy ultimately end up looking either to "fate" or to "free will" in order to "decide" the issue. For them it is one of two extremes--"once saved, always saved" (fate), or "you can save yourself" (free will). Of course, we find that neither one "decides" the issue, but simply imputes "religious dogma" that will give an "appearance" of truth. The question by them is, "which one appeals to your senses and reasonable mind." The spirit that is imputed with these humanist theories is either, "We live under grace, not under law" (fate), or "We are saved by our works" (free will). All of these theories create an invitation to transgress "the Law."

We speak here not of the transgression of "the law" (ceremonial, civil, and ecclesiastical), but of the transgression of going from being conformed to the image and likeness of His Son (that He might be the firstborn among many brethren), to being conformed to the image and likeness of the world (apathetic and disobedient to His Will):

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called [*all men to the covenant] according to His purpose. For whom He did foreknow [*all men], He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." Rom. 8:28-29 (KJV).

We must first note here that the KJV has interpolated (added) "to be," thereby imputing the false idea that it is a future event; but, in truth, all men were conformed to His image and likeness from the beginning. In the original Greek, it actually reads, "He also did predestinate conformed to the image of His Son." Additionally, take note that the purpose of "salvation" was always, from the beginning, instituted "according to His purpose," (not for our purpose), to wit:

"Therefore thou should not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor me His prisoner; but suffer evils along with the glad tidings according to God's power; Who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the ages of time, but made manifest now by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, Who annulled death, and brought to light life and incorruptibility by the glad tidings;" 2 Timothy 1:8-10.

We see then that all men are called ("before the ages of time") because of God's good pleasure (grace) and not because we deserve it (fate and free will)(see Ephesians 1:3-11). And we see from the above verses of John and Romans that it is always qualified with "should" and "might." For example, Adam and Eve "should have" and "might have" remained conformed to His image and likeness, but they loved the whisperings of the prince of the world, rather than our Fathers Word; they loved disobedience.

We must also make it clear here that from all of those who are conformed from the beginning, there is only a remnant that repent from the corruptions and temptations of the world and return to the original conformation; those "born again" according to His good pleasure (grace); not by their works, fate, or free will. Being conformed to self-will and the works of the flesh is what keep all others from entering into His rest.

We offer the following observation by Greek etymologist Spiros Zodhiates for your consideration as an alternative to the "Church world's" humanist doctrines of Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Arminius, Lock, etc., concerning predestination:

"4309. (Predestinate) proorizw proorizo; fut. prooriso, from pro (4253), before, and horizo (3724), to determine. To determine or decree be forehand (Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11). The peace of the Christian Church has been disrupted due to the misunderstanding which surrounds this word. It behooves the Church to consider the divinely intended meaning of this word by carefully examining the critical passages where it is used.

In Rom. 8:29, 30, predestination is used of God's actions in eternally decreeing both the objects and goal of His plan of salvation. Proorizo has a personal obj., the pl. relative pron. hous, whom. This relative pron. refers to those previously mentioned as those whom God foreknew (proegno [4267]). The translation is, "For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate." The objects of predestination are those whom He did foreknow [*all men]. Predestination does not involve a predetermined plan only but also includes the individuals for whom the plan is devised [*for all souls]. The goal of predestination is expressed in the phrase "to be conformed to the image of His Son [*to be was added by the King James translators]." Zodhiates' Complete Word Study Dictionary of the New Testament (1992), page 1223.

We will close on this "predestination" issue by leaving you with the following to consider. If all men were not "predestinated conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren," there would be no purpose for Him to have said to His Apostles:

"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15 (KJV)
DEFINITIONS

Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language, 1828
PREDES'TINATE,

a. Predestinated; foreordained.
PREDES'TINATE,

v.t. L. proedestino; proe and destino, to appoint.
To predetermine or foreordain; to appoint or ordain beforehand by an unchangeable purpose.
Whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son. Rom.8.
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself. Eph.1.
PREDES'TINATED,

pp. Predetermined; foreordained; decreed.
PREDES'TINATING,

ppr. Foreordaining; decreeing; appointing beforehand by an unchangeable purpose.
1. Holding predestination.
And pricks up his predestinating ears.
PREDESTINA'TION,

n. The act of decreeing or foreordaining events; the decree of God by which he hath, from eternity, unchangeably appointed or determined whatever comes to pass. It is used particularly in theology to denote the preordination of men to everlasting happiness or misery.
Predestination is a part of the unchangeable plan of the divine government; or in other words, the unchangeable purpose of an unchangeable God.
PREDES'TINATOR,

n. Properly, one that foreordains.
1. One that holds to predestination.
PREDES'TINE,

v.t. To decree beforehand; to foreordain.
And bid predestined empires rise and fall.
The Century Dictionary, an Encyclopedic Lexicon of the English Language, 1895
predestinate

To predetermine or foreordain ; appoint or ordain beforehand by an unchangeable purpose.

= Syn. Predestinate, Foreordain, Predestine, decree, foredoom. Predestinate and foreordain are exact words, applying only to the acts of God ; predestine is used somewhat more freely.
predestinate

I. a. Predestinated; foreordained; fated.

II. «. One who is predestinated or foreordained to a particular end.
predestination (pre-des-ti-na'shou), n.

The act of predestinating, or the state of being predestinated; fate; specifically, in theol., the decree or purpose of God, by which he has from eternity immutably determined whatever comes to pass; in a more restricted sense, the decree by which men are destined to everlasting happiness or misery; in the most restricted sense, predestination "to eternal life, or election (the correlative doctrine that God has predestined some to everlasting death is termed reprobation).
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Current English, 1919
predestinate, v.t.

(Of God) foreordain (person) to salvation or to (any fate), to (do) ; determine beforehand..
predestination, n.

God's appointment from eternity of some of mankind to salvation & eternal life ; God's foreordaining of all that comes to pass; fate, destiny,
predestine (pri-), v.t.

Determine beforehand, appoint as if by fate ; (Theol.)
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