The concept of being "predestined" is a theological doctrine that has been a subject of significant discussion and debate within Christian theology. It refers to the belief that God, in His sovereignty, has foreordained all events and outcomes, particularly concerning the eternal destiny of human souls. This doctrine is primarily derived from several key passages in the New Testament, where the term "predestined" is explicitly mentioned.

Biblical References:

1. Romans 8:29-30 : "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified." This passage highlights the sequence of divine actions, beginning with foreknowledge and culminating in glorification, emphasizing God's initiative in the salvation process.

2. Ephesians 1:4-5 : "For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will." Here, predestination is linked with God's eternal choice and love, underscoring the purpose of believers being adopted as His children.

3. Ephesians 1:11 : "In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will." This verse reiterates the theme of divine sovereignty and the meticulous planning of God in the lives of believers.

Theological Implications:

The doctrine of predestination raises important theological questions about the nature of God's sovereignty, human free will, and the scope of salvation. It is often associated with the teachings of Augustine, John Calvin, and the Reformed tradition, which emphasize God's absolute sovereignty and the idea that God's will is ultimately decisive in the salvation of individuals.

Foreknowledge and Predestination:

A key aspect of the discussion on predestination is the relationship between God's foreknowledge and His predestining work. Romans 8:29 suggests that God's foreknowledge is intimately connected with His predestining purpose. This has led to various interpretations, with some theologians arguing that foreknowledge implies God's awareness of future events, while others see it as an active, relational knowing that involves God's sovereign choice.

Election and Assurance:

Predestination is closely related to the doctrine of election, which refers to God's choosing of certain individuals or groups for a specific purpose or destiny. For believers, the doctrine of predestination can provide assurance of salvation, as it emphasizes that their ultimate destiny is secure in God's eternal plan. This assurance is rooted in the unchangeable nature of God's will and His faithful promises.

Controversies and Debates:

Throughout church history, the doctrine of predestination has been a point of contention, particularly between different Christian traditions. The debate often centers on the extent of human free will and the nature of God's justice and mercy. While some traditions emphasize God's sovereign choice, others stress human responsibility and the universal offer of salvation.

Practical Considerations:

For many believers, the doctrine of predestination is not merely a theological abstraction but has practical implications for their faith and life. It encourages humility, gratitude, and trust in God's providential care. It also challenges believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling, knowing that their lives are part of a divine purpose that transcends human understanding.

In summary, the concept of being "predestined" is a profound and complex doctrine that underscores the sovereignty of God in the salvation of humanity. It invites believers to reflect on the mystery of God's will and to find comfort in the assurance of His eternal plan.(imp. & p. p.) of Predestine.4309. proorizo -- to predetermine, foreordain
... Word Origin from pro and horizo Definition to predetermine, foreordain NASB Word
Usage predestined (6). determine before, ordain, predestinate. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4309.htm - 7k

Whether Men are Predestined by God?
... OF PREDESTINATION (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether men are predestined by God?
Objection 1: It seems that men are not predestined by God ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether men are predestined by.htm

Whether the Number of the Predestined is Certain?
... OF PREDESTINATION (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the number of the predestined is certain?
Objection 1: It seems that the number of the predestined is not certain. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the number of the.htm

Whether the Number of the Predestined is Certain
... Article Seven Whether the Number of the Predestined is Certain. Whether the Number
of the Predestined is Certain We proceed to the seventh article thus: ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article seven whether the number.htm

Whether Predestination Places Anything in the Predestined?
... OF PREDESTINATION (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether predestination places anything in
the predestined? Objection 1: It seems that predestination ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether predestination places anything in.htm

Whether the Predestined are Chosen by God
... Article Four Whether the Predestined are Chosen by God. Whether the Predestined
are Chosen by God ... 1. It seems that the predestined are not chosen by God. ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article four whether the predestined.htm

Whether Men are Predestined by God
... Article One Whether Men are Predestined by God. Whether Men are Predestined
by God ... 1. It seems that men are not predestined by God. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/nature and grace/article one whether men are.htm

Whether the Predestined are Chosen by God? [*"Eligantur. "]
... OF PREDESTINATION (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the predestined are chosen by God?
[*"Eligantur."]. Objection 1: It seems that the predestined are not chosen by God. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the predestined are chosen.htm

Whether Predestination Implies Anything in the Predestined
... Article Two Whether Predestination Implies Anything in the Predestined.
Whether Predestination Implies Anything in the Predestined ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article two whether predestination implies.htm

Whether the Book of Life Regards Only the Life of Glory of the ...
... THE BOOK OF LIFE (THREE ARTICLES) Whether the book of life regards only
the life of glory of the predestined? Objection 1: It seems ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the book of life 2.htm

Whether Predestination is Certain
... thou hast, that no man take thy crown," Augustine says: "no other will take it if
one does not lose it." The crown to which one is predestined may therefore be ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article six whether predestination is.htm

Predestined (6 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Predestine. Multi-Version Concordance Predestined (6 Occurrences). ...
(WEB NAS RSV NIV). Romans 8:30 Whom he predestined, those he also called. ...
/p/predestined.htm - 8k

Pre-destined (13 Occurrences)
Pre-destined. Predestined, Pre-destined. Predetermined . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(WEY). Predestined, Pre-destined. Predetermined . Reference Bible.
/p/pre-destined.htm - 10k

Predestination
... The predestined certainty of God's gracious work in Christ was not meant to perplex
men, but to encourage and reassure all who trust in His grace. ...
/p/predestination.htm - 26k

Justified (46 Occurrences)
... (ASV DBY). Romans 8:30 Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called,
those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified. ...
/j/justified.htm - 19k

Intention (10 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 1:5 having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ
to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire, (See NAS). ...
/i/intention.htm - 9k

Foreknew (2 Occurrences)
... Romans 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image
of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ...
/f/foreknew.htm - 7k

Destined (25 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 1:5 having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ
to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire, (Root in WEB WEY ...
/d/destined.htm - 14k

Conformed (7 Occurrences)
... Romans 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image
of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. ...
/c/conformed.htm - 8k

Glorified (60 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Romans 8:30 Whom he predestined, those
he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. ...
/g/glorified.htm - 25k

Code (6 Occurrences)
... states in the first place that already in the primeval age, when Marduk the god
of Babylon was elected king of the gods, Hammurabi was predestined by the gods ...
/c/code.htm - 40k

Is it possible for a person to be saved but not predestined? | GotQuestions.org

How are predestination and election connected with foreknowledge? | GotQuestions.org

What is predestination? Is predestination biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Predestined: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus