Predestination and Salvation

Introduction 

The truth is, there are only two possible destinations at death: heaven’s bliss, or hell’s fury. However, even the most profound and knowledgeable theologians are confused regarding the true nature of regeneration and the purpose of God in predestination. Before you dismiss this discussion out of hand, allow me to introduce myself and expose you to my prolonged engagement with this debate. My online handle is “Doctor Doctrine” and I have debated this issue online for over twenty years. I have heard all of the objections and considered all of the possible remedies. Thankfully, I have found one theological perspective that explains this apparent contradiction.

Key verse: Romans 8:29
“For THOSE WHOM He FOREKNEW,
HE ALSO PREDESTINATED
to become conformed to the image of His Son,
so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.“

God’s Sovereignty and Predestination

Biblical Foundation for Predestination

Ephesians 1:11 emphatically states that we are predestined: “In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being PREDESTINATED according to the purpose of Him Who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.” This passage clearly reveals that God not only knows who will go to heaven and who will end up in hell, but also, that He decides. Ephesians 1:4-5 presents: “According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” So then, God is sovereign and before we are born, programs us to either heaven or hell. Romans 8:29-30 explains: “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.” Those who are predestinated for heaven are also predestined to be conformed to Christlikeness. So not only does God predestine for heaven, but also predestines us to be like Jesus.

The Calvinist Perspective

This is the Reformed or Calvinist position on predestination and it appears to be Biblical. The Calvinist Reformed position is that only God decides who goes to heaven and we have nothing to do about it. He decides whom to save, when to save them, how to save them, and where. Those who are chosen for hell before birth are called the “reprobate” and those who are chosen for heaven, are called the “regenerated.” According to them, “for all who believe” in Jesus Christ (Rom. 3:22) are only the ones He enables to believe. I once heard a radio preacher, Harold Camping, opine that no matter what, if you fall on your face and repent, pound the ground pleading for salvation, if God did not elect you, you can’t be saved. 

The Calvinist Reformer thinks that the Apostle Paul teaches that God will only save His chosen people from sin so they can enjoy a relationship with Him. They hold that our sovereign God will only save His people, His chosen elect, by His sovereign grace alone and man can’t do anything to be saved because of man’s sinful inability. Man is so “Totally Depraved” that there is nothing good in him. He can’t see or hear God, neither does he want any relationship with God. The heart of man is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9) continuously and incapable of choosing God without divine intervention.

They cleave to a biased interpretation of Romans 6 and 9, where Esau and Jacob as convincing examples of sovereign predestination are cited. The Calvinist theologian Wayne Grudem defines reprobation as “the sovereign decision of God before creation to pass over some persons, in sorrow deciding not to save them, and to punish them for their sins, and thereby to manifest his justice” (https://www.thespiritlife.net/73-process/process-publications/1899-the-doctrine-of-election-and-reprobation-wayne-grudems-systematic-theology-outline).

The Challenge of Human Free Will

How can this possibly be reconciled with human free will? It can! If God decides who will go to heaven or hell, how could mere mortals influence a decision that is made before the foundation of the world itself? So does that mean He predestines others to hell and to not be good Christians? Does God decide who will go to hell? Do humans really then have a choice? But there is much more to the complete story of redemption.

The Nature of Sin and Human Accountability

The Bible says, “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23) and “fall short of the glory of God.” Apparently, sin is universal. The Greek word for “sin” is “hamartia” (ἁμαρτία) literally means “to miss the mark.” The nature of sin is an action and a consequence. It is a state of sinfulness.

John 3:4 solidifies the obvious, that those who sin are sinners: “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” According to this verse, sin is defined as breaking God’s law, emphasizing that it is an act of rebellion against God’s commands. 1 John 5:17 condemns all who practice unrighteousness: “All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.” Sin encompasses all unrighteous behavior.

Sin’s Origin and Impact

Romans 5:12 suggests that perhaps we are sinners because we were cursed in Adam: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” This verse certainly traces the origin of sin to Adam’s disobedience, showing that sin entered humanity through his act, affecting all people somehow. But, listen carefully, it does not say that sin passed to all men. Read it carefully. It clearly says that only death passed to all. Now, is this spiritual or physical death or both? Did all humanity become destined for hell because of Adam? Are all guilty in Adam? Do all become sinners because of Adam’s sin? Is it guilt by association? Is that really Biblical?

Personal Accountability for Sin

James 1:15 provides insight into what sin actually is: “When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” Sin begins with temptation and desire, and once actually acted upon, results in spiritual death, illustrating the progressive nature of sin and its consequences. In order to come under the curse of spiritual death, we need to actually sin. Only those who are of a sound mind can lust and then sin and then die spiritually. In other words, we aren’t born dead in sin. We aren’t sinners from birth. We are not under the curse of spiritual death because of Adam’s sin. We die spiritually only because we go through this progression of lust, sin, and then spiritual death. We die spiritually the first time we actually sin.

Ezekiel 18:20-32 clarifies that “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Here is spiritual death. A soul that is alive is now dead. So that shoots down the argument that we are born spiritually dead. We are alive spiritually. Our souls are alive at birth and then die spiritually when we sin. Doesn’t that verse teach this? Further, “The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father.” Here, Adam can’t be responsible for our spiritual death. That shoots down the Reformed Calvinist position of the Federal Headship theory of Adam, that we are all condemned through the curse. Ezekiel 18:4 seems to contradict Calvinism and Reformed theology in that “the soul that sinneth, it shall die.” It is only those who sin who face spiritual death, emphasizing personal accountability for sin.

Sin and the Age of Accountability

If every person has sinned and falls short of God’s perfect standard then all are bound for hell unless they become saved from hell. This is a most important concept to consider because if there is indeed an afterlife, then souls will go somewhere. Thinking about this topic is well worth it considering the length of the eternal state. We should get our feet settled solidly on this theological stance. Now, if fetuses sin, they must be breaking the law of God. Can babies really do this? Calvinists say, “yes!” According to James 4:17, there is an actionable requirement that the unborn, newborn, or babies can’t do, and that is to actually do something wrong: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” Sin includes not only doing wrong (sins of commission) but also failing to do what is right (sins of omission). Yet, toddlers can’t really do either. I know parents beg to differ because their toddlers disobey them all the time, but do these children actually know if they are doing wrong?

Calvinists have different views on the salvation of infants. Some believe that infants of believers are saved, while others believe that infants of unbelievers are also saved. However, there are differing opinions on whether infants who die in infancy are saved or not. So should we go with these opinions or can we nail this down scripturally? The sin that caused death to fall upon all of creation was because of Adam, and because of him alone. Physical death passed to all men, not spiritual death (Romans 5:12). The hypothesis that babies are guilty because of Adam’s sin and if they die, go to hell, is the logical conclusion. But is that true? When a person reaches the age of accountability, where they’re held accountable for their sin before a holy God, then they lose their spiritual life (condition) of “innocence” and become guilty. At that moment, a child becomes lost and under condemnation.

The Consequences of Sin

Romans 6:23 explains a cause and effect of sin: “For the wages of sin is death.” Here, we see there is no spiritual death until a person sins. Further, there are real earthly consequences of sin such as a loss of relationship or even jail, illness, or physical death because of debauchery. Sin kills, “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Although the ultimate consequence of sin is death, eternal separation from God with both physical and spiritual consequences, the hope of eternal life through Christ is a real option for all. Isaiah 59:2 states, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.” According to Calvinist Reformed theologians, the reprobate can’t know God because they have never been chosen.

Hebrews 3:13 warns, “But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Sin can deceive and harden hearts, making it harder to repent. This is why most who accept Christ, do so when they are young. I prayed for my parents for fifty years to become saved before they actually did. My wonderful godly wife, Debbie, led them each to the Lord five years apart and each, a month before they passed. Romans 2:5-6 states, “But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds.” God’s judgment on sin is exemplified in this passage, emphasizing accountability.

Yet, the scriptures say that (Galatians 6:7-8) “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” So does this passage apply to eternal life; that we have a choice?

The Path to Salvation: Repentance and Faith

While sin brings death, the Bible also offers redemption. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This highlights God’s provision for forgiveness through repentance and faith in Christ. In Luke 13:3, the phrase “except ye repent” states that repentance, turning from your sinful condition to Christ, is necessary for salvation: “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” This verse emphasizes that salvation is not possible without sincere repentance. Matthew 18:3 states, “Verily I say unto you, ‘Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.’” “Unless you become like a child” and humble yourself, repent, believe the Gospel, you can’t become saved.

Two Kinds of People

There are two kinds of people in the world (1 John 5:12-13): There are those who have Jesus and there are those who do not. I’m not talking about believing that Jesus exists. I’m not even talking about believing that He died for our sins or that He rose again. I’m talking about a broken heart that lets Jesus come in. When we realize that we have sinned against a holy God and lay our sins at the cross then there is a great “transfer” that happens. Our sins get “exchanged” for His righteousness. To truly believe and receive forgiveness means that we are no longer under condemnation. But the child that commits their first sin falls under condemnation and needs personal redemption. We are not born condemned. In order for a soul (person) to sin, they have to be old enough to be “drawn away by temptation and lust.” Very young children can’t do that. But when the child reaches the age of accountability and is enticed by lust, they become lost. Once sin has been conceived in a child, they sin and then immediately die spiritually. They become lost at that moment and need a Savior. Prior to that first sin, they are not guilty in Adam. We are not born sinful or guilty.

Once a person reaches the age of accountability, they need to be born again to become saved. We have a sinful propensity (nature) because of the curse of physical death through Adam. We are mortal and the cravings of our flesh for life will eventually cause all to trespass and sin. They are children of the devil until they become children of God. Job 1:22 states, “In all this, Job sinned not.” Hebrews 9:27 says, “As it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.”

Refuting Total Depravity

Calvinists and Reformed theologians continue to insist that all of humanity is utterly lost and fallen in their sin. According to them, not one person can believe because we are all ungodly, unrighteous, a hinderer of the truth, idolatrous, immoral, full of evil, deserving of death, and under condemnation by the Creator (Rom. 1:18–3:20). Every person is guilty (Rom. 3:23) and there is no good thing in any person. No one can be saved apart from God’s sovereign imputation of regeneration. They cannot because they will not is a quote used often. This relates to total inability because of the corrupt nature of man from birth because of Adam. They use these verses to pretext their position: “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:6–8), cannot receive the revelation of God (Matthew 16:17; 1 Corinthians 2:14; John 6:44–45, 64–65), cannot submit to the law of God (Romans 8:7), cannot respond of themselves to the grace of God in Christ, and cannot rescue themselves because they are covenantally dead (Ezekiel 37:1–6; Ephesians 2:1–3). In short, they hold we are created lost and can’t do anything about it.

When Paul says, “There is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23), he means that all humankind stands condemned before God and it is therefore impossible for them to access the “one act of righteousness [by Jesus that] leads to justification and life for all men” (Rom. 5:18). It only leads to righteousness for some, the chosen elect and others have no chance. Did all of humanity really fall in the Garden of Eden in Adam? Are we all guilty, condemned to hell by association instead of individual responsibility? Where in the Bible does that get support? Nowhere.

Exceptions and Inconsistencies

But Calvinists and Reformers make certain exceptions to this rule, that some believe only because there is special grace offered to some by God. For example, perhaps, they say, that God offers special grace to the unborn and incapable. But this is nothing but conjecture and wishful thinking. If such exceptions are offered, they would negate the first premise, that all are born guilty and born unable to believe without divine sovereign intervention apart from their personal volition. In other words, because there is no good in man, man can’t choose God. Ever. So are we born sinless, sinful, or somewhere in between? If God applies His saving mercy and grace to a specific special category of persons, such as the unborn, young children, seriously mentally disabled children, as a loving God, wouldn’t that be unjust? No? God can do anything. Wait. He doesn’t lie (Numbers 23:19, Malachi 3:6, James 1:17, Hebrews 13:8), so wouldn’t making an exception mean that He is wishy washy? The Almighty Lord of Hosts is immutable and absolutely consistent! Since when does God make exceptions to universal condemnation? He wouldn’t be able to elect some to salvation such as some unborn children while not being uniform. God can’t make unique exceptions for any person. It’s not theologically just. It’s not universally fair. There has to be another way to look at this. It goes against His very nature since (Hebrews 13:8) “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” The doctrine of soteriology cannot be relegated to possible extrapolation regarding predestination and sovereign election without clear parameters, wouldn’t you agree?

A Biblical Alternative: Depravity Without Imputed Guilt

Not all of humanity. Just those who sin. It is the soul that sins that dies. We did not all sin in Adam so we are not all spiritually dead in Adam since the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father. So that is impossible. The implications of this abhorrent theology are mind-boggling! If we are born sinners, that means everyone is going to hell unless their “god” elects a few. That means their “god” is an evil monster! It means that he DELIGHTS in creating MOST people for HELL and WATCHING them SUFFER. It means that people CAN’T know that they are saved BECAUSE ONLY THEIR “GOD” KNOWS FOR SURE. It means that everyone who preaches this false gospel is a LIAR! Look folks, I’m not kidding about this. They really believe this! Depravity DOES NOT IMPLY IMPUTED GUILT AND CONDEMNATION FOR US that teaches IN ADAM WE ALL SINNED. No. That’s an unbiblical doctrinal position (my view) regarding soteriology; the study of salvation.

Depravity means we are born with a “depraved nature” (not totally depraved) because of the curse of “death” – BECAUSE of Adam’s sin. We are born “innocent” and “enter a sinful world.” We crave survival, not sin. Eventually, the depraved nature of our flesh causes us to lust against the law of God, and we personally commit a transgression and BECOME CONDEMNED and guilty, lost, unsaved at THAT moment. To believe THEIR position of so called “guilty depravity” or “total depravity” makes God responsible for creating sinful babies who die and go to hell if they aren’t chosen BY God’s sovereign will. Heaven help us! MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOU IF YOU TEACH THIS!

Election Through Foreknowledge

In John 17, Jesus prayed for you before you believed: “Neither pray I for these alone, but for THEM also which SHALL believe on me through THEIR word,” John 17:20. Here we see Jesus demonstrating that He knows who will believe. This is the specific Foreknowledge of God regarding whom He will save. God elects based on Foreknowledge. He not only knows who will be saved, but is able to choose them individually before the foundation of the world BECAUSE of Foreknowledge. He knows who are His and wishes them well. In prayer, God is communicating with the Trinity to ensure their success.

Second, Jesus cares for us individually. He not only knows who will believe but takes time to prepare for our success by sending ahead prayers to meet us in our hour of need.

Third, notice that the ones He prayed for will make a decision to believe. This means that those who believe must do this of their own volition. It says they “believe on Me.” They must do the believing. They must come to the point in life where they realize that faith in self, the world, or the flesh will fail. Jesus NEVER fails! They must individually and personally repent and believe – then they shall be born again. It is through their “word” of faith, their expression of trust, and their confession of Jesus as Lord, the Bible as true, and by their reception of the true Gospel that they become truly saved.

Without sincere repentance, turning to Christ in humble sorrow for redemption and deliverance, the wrath of God remains on them. Unsaved are children of the Devil until they are born-again and adopted as sons. Only then do they become Children of God. Without this testimony of personally repenting and receiving Christ, the prayer of Jesus is without effect for us. We are those whom Jesus knew beforehand would believe and be saved. If you are one who truly believes then rest in this blessing. Jesus prayed for you.

Conclusion: A Balanced Theological Stance

What exactly do Reformed and Calvinists mean by fallen and all being utterly lost? They hold to “Total Depravity,” in spite of that salvation can be for all, “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16). The Biblical truth is that salvation is NOT about God ARBITRARILY choosing SOME for heaven and THE REST for hell. Instead, God’s FOREKNOWLEDGE allows Him to elect those who will freely choose to believe in Christ. He sees ahead of time what each person decides to do with Jesus. Life is a stage, and we are placed here to see if we accept His offer of salvation or not. It is when we stop resisting God’s desire to save us that we surrender to the grace of God that brings salvation to become saved from hell.

We are NOT born guilty or condemned in Adam, but we inherit a depraved nature OF A PROPENSITY TO SIN that leads EVERYONE to eventually sin (if they are capable of sin) once we reach the age of accountability.

At that point, personal repentance (recognition that we are lost and in need of a Savior) and sincere saving faith in Jesus (founded on appropriate salvation scriptures) are necessary for salvation. Simply put, WITHIN God’s divine, loving, and just sovereignty, He redeemed all of  creation through the Blood of Jesus and offers redemption for ANYONE who reaches the age of accountability. Once a person commits their first sin, they become lost and in need of a personal Savior.  This is why children are considered “innocent” until proven guilty due to actual sin. Forgiveness for all sins is granted when a person knowingly becomes born again. This can only happen through sincere repentance (turning to Christ for salvation) by faith in the Gospel (that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again).

This soteriological view upholds God’s sovereignty, justice, and love, while affirming human responsibility and the universal offer of salvation for all through Christ.