Foreknowledge and Predestination
A Few More thoughts
“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Ro 8:29 AV)
I attempted to explain the terms foreknow, predestinate, and elect in the context of Romans 8 -11. But I am sure that there are still questions that are unanswered so I will attempt to clarify that which I believe to be the revelation of God to us in these matters. One of the major factors that I believe has caused confusion on this matter is that of our starting point. If we look at these issues starting at the first verse in Genesis I believe that we will have a very different outlook than if we begin at Romans 8:29. The question we need to ask is; Do we determine what is being said here in Romans by the revelation up to this point, or do we determine what the rest of the Scripture says based upon our understanding of Romans 8:29?
Our starting point may have an effect on our conclusion. Most of the theological discussions pertaining to foreknowledge, predestination and election start right here and attempt to explain the other scriptures in light of these verses. I think that just the opposite should be true, for this is not the beginning of the story and this is not the fulcrum upon which our faith rests.
What Does God Know?
What does God know? I think that it is clear in Scripture from beginning to end that nothing is hidden from Him. He is the source of all knowledge for all things were created by Him. But there is one loose end though, and that is that He has created us with the gift of choice. Does God know what our choices will be, and has He known it from the beginning? If we start with Romans 8:29 then we would say yes, of course He knows, He has foreknowledge. But if we start in Genesis we will get a different picture.
“out of the ground the LORD god formed every beast of the field and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called a living creature, that was its name.” (Ge 2:19 NAS95)
Starting Point
If we start in Romans then we will come back to this text and assume that God already knew what he was going to name them. But if we just stick to the text, then the clear reading says that God brought the animals to Adam so that God could know what Adam would call them. As we continue reading through the Scripture we will see this pattern return time after time. God allows man to make choices and waits to see what those choices are. God then acts in response to those choices. How many times do we see in Scripture God presenting choices to people that are accompanied with the different responses that God will have? For example: “27 the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your god, which I am commanding you today; 28 and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the LORD your god, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known.” (De 11:27-28 NAS95)
God Was Sorry?
“5 then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 ¶ the LORD was sorry that he had made man on the earth, and he was grieved in his heart. 7 the LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, from man to animals to creeping things and to birds of the sky; for I am sorry that I have made them.”” (Ge 6:5-7 NAS95)
If we start with the conclusion from Romans that God already knows what we will decide, then we have a lot of explaining to do to reconcile God’s responses to man’s choices. But if we reserve our conclusion as we simply digest the clear reading of the Scripture, then I believe that our perception of who God is will logically fit the pattern of a just, merciful loving God without our theological tinkering. The Scripture states that we were created in the image and likeness of God. It is with this understanding that we can see that God Himself has feelings and emotions. He is grieved in His heart that man has become evil and he must destroy man.
If God has known the results of every one of our individual choices before time began then it is hard to reconcile His justice, love, and mercy that has been revealed as history has unfolded. If it is already written in God’s mind how we as individuals will respond, then for Him it is like watching a play unfold. But what we see is a God who is active in our lives and the World. His message from Genesis to Revelation is that of choice: Choose today who you will serve. God has revealed Himself as a personal God, one whom we can have personal relationship with. He is a God who responds to our prayers and our cries. He is a God who intervenes in the lives and events on earth. I could go on and on.
How Big is God?
Does this make God smaller in your eyes, or diminish your concept of sovereignty? It shouldn’t. It does seem to make it a lot more complicated for God. For God does have an plan and purpose that will be accomplished even though he will not violate the gift of choice He has granted us. That probably requires that He becomes a little bigger in our minds. It means that He is more involved. It means that there are parts of this universe that are in rebellion to his sovereignty that will eventually be crushed. In allowing us choice God allowed sin to take root where there was no sin. That did not alter His purpose for His Creation. God had a plan for that also and God’s plans will be fulfilled on precisely the days on which He preordained them to be. What is not predetermined is where you will spend eternity, that is your choice. His purpose will be fulfilled, He will have a people that love Him and desire to spend eternity in His presence.
God Searches the Heart and the Mind
We could go through example after example that God has articulated in His Word and I think we would see the same thing. God is testing, trying, searching men’s hearts to see what they will do. His will is clear; “the lord is not slow about his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2Pe 3:9 NAS95) But God also knows what is in the heart of man and his resistance to conforming to the will of God. “13 “enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 “for the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Mt 7:13-14 NAS95)
What About Foreknowledge?
If what I am showing you is true, that God is waiting to see what we will do, then what is it talking about in Romans 8:29? Clearly Romans 8 is speaking to and about those who are in Christ Jesus. Verse by verse Paul leads us to understand our standing in Christ.
“for all who are being led by the spirit of god, these are sons of god.” (Ro 8:14 NAS95) “the spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of god,” (Ro 8:16 NAS95)
We have become the sons of God who were not formerly categorized as such.
“among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” (Eph 2:3 NAS95)
We by nature were children of wrath just like everybody else. We were predestined to destruction via God’s wrath. But something has happened here and we have been born again. We are now children of God, begotten of Him.
“for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of god.” (1Pe 1:23 NAS95)
Foreknowledge
I believe foreknowledge is speaking of that time in which we were conceive and God performed that miracle of a new birth. For God sees us before we are form into a new creature in Christ. God consummates our desire with God’s will and through Christ forms a new creation, a child of God. We do not as yet know what we will become, but God knows, just like He knows what a child will be like that is formed in the womb. The Psalmist speaks of this in a way that will help us understand that which is going on out of our sight.
“14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” (Ps 139:14-16 AV)
Verse 14 says I have recognized how wonderfully I have been created. Verse15 says God was looking on when this marvelous process was taking place in that secret place, my mother womb. Verse 16 says God could see my completed person, every member, when as yet I was but unformed substance, that which would take many days was already written in His book, before one day had passed.
Let me interpret this scripture using the science of the day. A child is conceived when a sperm unites with an egg. At that point although it is only one cell all of the information of who that child is has been determined, it is written in the DNA, he is a defined person. God knows this, this is His foreknowledge and as is stated in this psalm He even can envision the completed person even before the parts are formed. God can read DNA, He knows that language. Based upon what is written in the code determines who that person is predestined to become. On a spiritual level, because we were born of God we are destined to be conformed to the image of Christ, who is the image of the Father. Because God is our father He had foreknowledge of our conception and birth. Knowing what information went into that seed He is also aware of what we are predestined to be. This language of foreknowledge and predestination in the Scripture is in context and referring to us as Christians. To apply it to an earlier time makes no sense. You must consider the fact that we were all children of Adam, born in sin, children of wrath, predestined for destruction.
Predestined
Where does this leave us? It leaves us in a position of responsibility. God has through Christ provided salvation, but the choice is up to us. It takes faith, we have to put our trust in God. It is only through Him we can be born again. Just because we were predestined for God’s wrath does not mean we have to experience it. God has provided salvation and it is from our destiny that we are saved . We may have a hard time envisioning ourselves being like Christ, but God can. If we are born of Him we will be predestined to be conformed to that image. God will make sure it happens, if we abide in Him. Again we need a reminder of our responsibility. Just because a child is predestined to become like his father does not mean that he will achieve that status. All he has to do is through disobedience to separate himself from his father’s care. Outside of the protective hand of God we might meet our demise before we reach maturity. God help us to recognize His authority, His provision, and my responsibility. How blessed we are.
Bob Gunderson