1 Timothy 2:1-4 (ESV)
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Though many disagree, we believe the doctrines of Freewill, Predestination, and Foreknowledge work very well together, and I’d like to explain why. Now in the past, when I’ve expressed my view on this topic, I’ve found Calvinists react strongly to my suggested solution. In a men’s Bible study a few years ago, I was explaining it to a fellow at our table when another got so angry, I thought he was going to come over the table after me. Most, however, simply disagree with me and take it in stride. That’s the Christian approach to disagreement, by the way.
So, let’s say you have a DVD recording of your daughter’s fifth birthday party/BBQ. You’ve watched it so many times you know exactly what everyone in the DVD will say and do. In fact, you know it so well, you can recite every conversation verbatim and mimic every move in the DVD. In a sense, you have omniscience of the DVD. To be able to recite and mimic every word and action at the party is not to say the people at the party did not act freely, though.
Hold onto your Calvinist hats, now. Here it comes: in the same way, God is able to know everything that goes on without having to predestine the events, acts, or words in our universe.
So, what we’ve seen thus far is that, if the DVD of real space time were to be played, God knows all that will happen before it happens (Foreknowledge), and everyone can act freely (Freewill).
Now for the foreknowledge part. Many Calvinists believe because God knows all that will happen, He has caused, or “Predestined” it. I’m not sure that follows logically. Suppose every possible future were recorded on DVDs and God picked the one which fulfills His goals the best, that He wants heaven as full as possible and hell as empty as possible, and places that DVD in the player.
If that were true, God has predestined all that will happen by playing the DVD He has chosen (Predestination). He has chosen a DVD in which everyone acts freely (Freewill), yet He knows all that will take place (Foreknowledge).
“Life is not a DVD,” you might object, and you would be right. But, we all understand cause in effect, God even more so. So, the universe He created could easily be the universe with conditions which cause a timeline that accomplishes His goals.
“Then why not create a universe where everyone would be saved?” you might ask. Well, if freewill is included, there will always be someone who chooses their own way rather than God’s. So, people will sin, people will choose to reject God’s offer of salvation, people will always act selfishly. In fact, the farther away from the original influence of God, the more likely selfish choices would become the norm. So, fewer people will end up choosing heaven, the “narrow road.”
So, there you have it. Freewill, Foreknowledge, and Predestination all in a sweet little package to ponder. Don’t get mad. It’s just speculation, but it makes sense.
PLEASE NOTE: The answers to American’s Atheists’ objections to the Bible have met with a less than enthusiastic response on the blog. So, I’m going to discontinue that series here. If you’re interested you’ll find all of those difficulties addressed on AnswersAZ.com. https://answersaz.com/biblical-difficulties/
Believers Armed and Dangerous 