The Foreknowledge Dodge

One of the key components of "Reformed Theology" is the doctrine of Predestination. Now, to be perfectly clear, Predestination is not about Election. Election is the idea (and it is thoroughly biblical -- we just differ on particulars) that some are chosen for salvation. It is a principle throughout the Old and New Testaments. But Predestination is not Election. Predestination is much, much more. Predestination covers everything.

In Romans 8 we have that wonderful 8:28 verse where all things work together for good. The "good" for which all things work together for those who love Christ is in the following verses.

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified (Rom 8:29-30).

There is that "predestined" word. And it is not Election. It is a fore-ordaining that those whom He foreknew would become conformed to the image of His Son. In 1 Cor 2:7 we read of "the hidden wisdom, which God predestined before the ages to our glory." God predetermined Judas's betrayal (Luke 22:22) and the murder of His own Son by "Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel" (Acts 4:27-28). In Ephesians Paul writes, "He predestined us to adoption as sons" (Eph 1:5). Again, not Election. The principle behind Predestination is found a few verses later when Paul writes that God "works all things after the counsel of His will" (Eph 1:11). Thus, Predestination refers to all things. The Bible is full of God predetermining what will happen.

I will always get the inevitable push-back from fellow believers. "God has foreknowledge," they will tell me. "Foreknowledge is not foreordination." Well, now, is that true?

It is true that the two terms mean different things. One is regarding what is known and one is regarding what must happen. But I suspect that "ordained" means something different to me than to those who object. Here's why I say that. If God has foreknowledge -- perfect, correct knowledge of what happens in advance -- and God is Omnipotent -- able to do as He pleases -- then we have a problem. If God knew, in advance, when He made Adam that Adam would sin and God did nothing to prevent it (did not exercise His Omnipotence), then knowing perfectly what would happen and doing nothing to change it would be to foreordain Adam's sin.

Now, clearly that sounds wrong. So we need to examine just what "foreordain" means before we conclude anything else about it. If, by "ordain", we mean, "to invest with ministerial or sacerdotal functions" (the first definition in my dictionary), we're just being silly. No, it's not about an "ordained minister". So ... what? Maybe it's "to enact or establish by law, edict, etc." That might be closer to it. But when I use the term, I use it in this sense (my dictionary says it is in the sense of God): "to destine or predestine". Ah, now, see? Now we've run into that "Predestination" thing. My point here is that "ordain" does not carry with it the necessity of "cause". It simply means to "establish". To "foreordain", then, would mean to establish in advance.

So where are we? If God knows in advance that X will happen, has the capability of preventing X, and does nothing about it, He has established -- before the fact -- that X will happen. He doesn't have to cause it. Indeed, by not exercising the power to prevent it, He does nothing to cause it. But because He knows it perfectly and allows it willingly, it cannot be avoided that He foreordains it. It's the nature of the Omniscient and the Omnipotent.

Yes, indeed, to foreknow is not to foreordain. One is knowledge; the other establishes something. But to know perfectly in advance and to have the power to change something means that if He does not, He has ordained that the something happens. That is foreordination. So if you'd like to get around foreordination by claiming that foreknowledge is not the same thing, you'll have to do it by removing either perfect knowledge or absolute power.