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Q: What truth is there in predestination?
A: First, our time is more profitably spent focusing on holiness and social action (particularly to the poor and outcast) than debating theological topics that have yet to be settled after 2,000 years of the best minds of Christendom arguing over it. Second, God’s love is perfect and spotless. However, let me add these two things to that. First, God’s love is not his primary concern . . . it is his honor. And much of what he does is to show himself true, honorable, and right. Hence, any discussion that highlights how God is honorable in his decisions, powerful, and loving in his movement of history is a good discussion. You might be interested to read the book of Revelation in light of God’s "self-defense” of his own honor. In no other book of the Bible does he demonstrate more predestination and power. Second, the Bible is full of passages that clarify that God predestines this world (even individuals) to a certain course of action. At the same time it is clear that God wants all to be saved (2 Peter 3:9). Hence, any view of predestination that portrays God as choosing for someone to be damned is, be default, false. However, God is amazing, surprising, and sometimes disturbing in his control over our lives as the following texts can show:
Surprising Texts on God’s Sovereignty
Deut 2:30 God made Sihon refuse to allow the Israelites to pass through so he could destroy him.
Judges 14:1-4 Sampson lusts for Philistine women
1 Samuel 26:12 God caused an army to fall asleep
2 Sam 24:1 & 1 Chron 21:1 God/Satan incited David to take a census
Ezekiel 14:9 God roused false prophets
2 Thess 2:11 God put a spirit of delusion on people
Rev 9:13-15 Evil ("pit-bull”) angels destroy a third of the earth
You might find much useful information on this subject in Jack Cottrell’s book, The Faith Once for All (Joplin, MO: College Press, 2002), pp. 388-400.
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