Predestination Vs Free Will

A POSITION PAPER ON PREDESTINATION VS. FREE WILL AS RECORDED IN SCRIPTURE By F. A. Heckman INTRODUCTION It is safe to say that ever since the Scripture was canonized, certain passages or concepts therein have been in tension with each other. We shall consider one such case, i.e., Predestination vs. Free will, in which this appears to be so. The purpose of this paper is to arrive at a tenable position on these matters, based not on any belief system, but based squarely on scripture. This being the case, this paper will present neither lengthy descriptions of belief systems nor exhaustive commentary upon them. It is our belief that we should not interpret Scripture in light of a verse or a belief system, rather we should interpret a verse or a belief system in light of (the whole) Scripture. Furthermore, neither will this paper spend time and resources in condemning or embracing any of these long-established belief systems. Concerning salvation in Christian Theology, one set of such belief systems is Calvinism (most notable tenet thereof, Predestination) vs. Arminianism (most notable tenet thereof, Free will) vs. Universalism (all will be saved). Each of these systems claims Scriptural support and each is considered irreconcilable to the other two. THE CASE FOR PREDESTINATION The Doctrine of Predestination comes out of the work of John Calvin (1509-1564. Calvin was born in France, where he was educated in the law. In 1633 he experienced a powerful religious conversion. Shortly after this, he fled to Basel, Switzerland to escape Catholic persecution of Evangelicals in France. While living in Basel, he wrote the classic work “Institutes of Christian Religion”. Later he went to Geneva, where he continued his important work. Calvin’s Predestination belief system contains five main points, which are outlined in the “TULIP” acrostic given below. T - The total hereditary depravity U - Unconditional election L - Limited atonement I - Irresistible grace P - Perseverance of the saints Parts U and I above, in particular, strongly support the concept of salvation through predestination. Now, moving away from Calvinist thought and onto Scripture, some references in which the Predestination (Election) concept is mentioned are listed below: Mat. 24:24 & 31, Mark 13:22 & 27; Rom. 8:29-30 & 33; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:7 & 11; Col. 3:12; 1 Thess. 1:4 and 1 Peter 1:2 & 10.

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Although this is not an exhaustive list, it is more than adequate to state the case for Predestination and to command the attention, consideration and respect of any serious, openminded Bible Scholar. THE CASE FOR FREE WILL Classical Arminianism is a belief system which strongly espouses the doctrine of Salvation through Free will. This system derives its name from Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609). He was a Dutch Theologian, who was a Calvinist in his earlier years. However, as tine passed, he became disillusioned with that belief system. Later in life, he wrote (in Latin) a treatise which he called “The Remonstrance”. In this work, he took issue with many of the tenets of Calvinism, including Predestination. The five basic articles of Arminianism (as expressed in the negative) are outlined below: Article 1: That they deny Original Sin Article 2: That they deny Justification by Faith Article 3: That they deny absolute Predestination (Article 3: same as Free will) Article 4: That they deny the Grace of God to be irresistible Article 5: That they affirm that a believer may fall from grace Moving on without further comment on Arminianism, listed below are Scripture references which have to do with Article 3 above, i.e., Free will: Mark 8:34; Lu. 14:27; Jn. 3:14-18; 11:26; 12:46; Acts 2:21 and 10:43; 15:1; 16:31; Rom. 10:8-11 & 13; Eph. 2:5-6; 1 Tim. 2:1-6; 1 Jn. 5:1 and Rev. 22:17. As in the Scriptures given for Predestination, this is not an exhaustive list, but it is quite adequate to state the case. It should be pointed out here that the word Gospel, i.e., the Good News, is mentioned 93 times in the New Testament. As mentioned above in connection with the concept of Predestination, the concept of Free will must be taken seriously and soberly by all dedicated and open-minded Bible scholars. This is so because the Bible states that all Scripture is inspired by God --- (2 Tim. 3:16). In order to avoid any equivocation, let us state here that the canonized Scripture consists of the 39 Old Testament books and the 27 New Testament books. Thus, believing, accepting and obeying all Scripture, is obligatory for all sincere Christians. The apparent, disturbing discrepancy between the concepts of Predestination and Free will leaves Evangelicals, Roman Catholics, Orthodox Catholics and other Bible-believing Christian groups with a serious dilemma. As a side issue, the internet literature contains articles in which Calvinists and Arminians accuse each other of holding heretical views on the subject of Predestination vs. Free will. After searching the Scriptures, and finding tension there on this subject, and knowing the rancor among fellow believers, what then shall the sincere Christian believe? THE EPHESIANS INCLUSION KEY As mentioned above, the belief systems concerning salvation by Predestination and salvation by Free will are considered irreconcilable by most Bible scholars, especially by the zealous partisans of each view. Indeed, the very concepts seem quite irreconcilable.

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There are many great benefits which come from regular Bible reading and study. Among these benefits is the fact that the Lord occasionally gives the serious reader a new understanding of certain Scripture passages read many times before. One such epiphany occurred a few weeks before I started writing this paper as I was re-reading Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In chapter 1, verses 1-14, Paul discusses Predestination (explicitly) and Free will (implicitly). Beginning in verse 3, he speaks of Predestination in terms of us and we. Who are the “we”? Repeated and careful reading of these initial verses leads one to conclude that Paul is talking only about himself, other apostles and those specifically called to service, such as Luke, Timothy and others. In later verses (9-10), the we seems to include the Ephesian (and other) believers. In verses 11-12, Paul talks again about Predestination in terms of us and we, again presumably himself and other specifically called individuals. Now in verse 13, the narrative takes a dramatic, sharp turn toward Free will – and you also were included ---. In the gospel --- . The rest of chapter 1 affirms that a number of Ephesian citizens were led to salvation by hearing the gospel and, by an act of Free will, accepting Jesus as their savior. Thus it now appears that there are two classifications of believers, those saved by Predestination (the elect) and those saved by believing the gospel spread throughout the world as commanded by the Lord in his Great Commission, (Mat. 28:19). Why God the Father, in his infinite wisdom has ordained these two pathways to salvation, we do not know. However, be that as it may, the explicit inclusion in salvation as stated in verses 13 & 14 makes it unequivocal that all men, who hear, accept and believe the gospel will be saved! This concept of inclusion now completely invalidates the strict Calvinist assertion that there are but two conditions of mankind, those saved by Predestination or those damned to Hell by exclusion. It also validates the following: 1. The effort to spread the gospel, to carry out Christian witnessing and fervent prayer for those assumed to be mot yet saved. 2. The efforts of all those who have suffered great persecution in spreading the gospel. 3. The spending of large sums of money and other resources on missions and evangelism at home and abroad. The three endeavors stated above have been carried out throughout the church age. However, we must not forget that during this time, the Lord has also called (elected) certain individuals to specific Christian vocations. For example, the Scripture designates that some are made to be evangelists, establishing that office to be a distinct Christian calling and vocation (Acts 21:6; Eph. 4:11 & 2 Tim. 4:5). Also, Jesus chose, called and appointed the apostles, including Paul. Throughout the millennia of the Christian (Church) era, and still today, men and women are called to the ministry and to other Christian vocations. Now, instead of the two classes of people as proposed by Calvin (the predestined and the predamned), we have a whole different situation, according to the Ephesians 1: 13-14 inclusion principle. Thus we now see an astounding two additional classes of people: these who hear and accept salvation through the gospel, plus those who have not (yet) heard the gospel!

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Those who hear but reject the gospel to their dying day are, according to Scripture, doomed to eternal punishment. Having cited Scripture relating both to Predestination, and to Free will and having said all these things, what should be our concise and tenable position statement? THE POSITION STATEMENT The proposed Position Statement is given below in the form of a resolution: 1. Whereas all Scripture is inspired of God, as written in 2 Timothy 3:16, and, 2. Whereas all true Christians accept and believe all Scripture as God’s Word, and 3. Whereas salvation by Predestination is valid according to the many Scripture passages cited above, and 4 Whereas salvation by Free will acceptance of the gospel message is valid, according to the many other Scripture passages cited above, and 5. Whereas. Salvation exclusively by Predestination, i.e., Predestination or damnation, is invalid, according to Ephesians, chapter 1, especially verses 13 and 14, which conclusively include (in salvation) those who hear and believe the gospel. Therefore, be it resolved that the whole counsel of God proclaims and prescribes that both salvation by Predestination and by Free will are valid concepts, as carefully defined and limited therein. People will continue to be called by Predestination to Christian vocations and others will continue to respond to the gospel message. Neither Predestination nor Free will is an exclusive path to salvation and both shall continue to coexist and operate throughout the Church Age. Be it further resolved that Trinity Evangelical Church of North Reading, Ma 01864 approve, accept and adopt the tenets set forth herein as its official position on matters pertaining to salvation by Predestination or salvation through Free will as taught in Scripture.

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