Election and Predestination

Much confusion abounds regarding these two Biblical terms: election and predestination. Though similar and related, these two terms refer to two different aspects of God's eternal decree. Election refers to God's choice of certain individuals before the foundation of the world. Predestination, on the other hand, concerns God's determination of these same individuals to a particular end. In fact, the Greek proorizo, means just that: to mark out for a certain destination beforehand.

Many times opponents of Historic Calvinism will use these terms interchangably. However, fidelity to the Scriptures dictates that we exercise precision in distinguishing these two terms. Romans 8:29 states the relationship between election and predestination well when it says,

"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers (ESV; emphasis mine)."

God foreknew a certain set of individuals, and those whom he foreknew he determined to become like His Son, Jesus Christ. Notice that the pronoun "whom" indicates that God foreknew individuals, not just facts about individuals (though this is true, it is not what this passage is teaching). "Foreknew" in the Greek also means to foreordain. When the Bible speaks of God knowing people, it is referring to an affectional, relational knowing. This is true, for example, of God's relationship to the nation of Israel (cf. Amos 3:2).

Another misunderstanding people have with these two terms is in regards to the term predestination. In the Bible, predestination is always used in terms of predestination to salvation. In this sense, predestination can never be spoken of as double. Yes, God passively withholds his regenerating grace from the reprobate, but this is not how he operates in the elect. In the elect, God actively works faith in their hearts and intervenes in their lives to bring about their ultimate salvation. In the reprobate, God does not actively work in their hearts unbelief. Nevertheless, there is an equal ultimacy in predestination and reprobation as God's eternal decree results in the salvation of some and the damnation of the rest.

With this sharp distinction in mind, let us be clear and balanced in our espousal of the truth of God's absolute freedom in regards to the dispensation of his grace. Soli deo gloria!