Lecture on Predestination and Free Will

Introduction

• Predestination is a challenging aspect of Christian theology.
• It requires a balanced interpretation of Scripture without contradicting different statements made by God.
• Recognizing the limitations of human understanding is important.

Key Questions Discussed

1. Effect of God's Foreordination on Prayers for the Unsaved

   • How does predestination influence prayers?
   • Can we pray for those who seem unable or unwilling to come to faith?

2. Free Will vs Predestination

   • Debate on whether predestination and free will can coexist.
   • Examination of how God's sovereignty and free will interact.

3. God’s Sovereignty and Human Free Will

   • Consideration of whether God arranges circumstances to guide human choices.
   • The role of free will when God is sovereign.

Tension Between Free Will and Predestination

• Both concepts are present in the New Testament and must be believed, though their integration is not always clear.
• History of the Church shows a tendency to lean towards one of the extremes, like a drunkard staggering between ditches.
• Calvinism was mentioned with humor:
  • Anecdote about a Calvinist who rationalized a mishap as predetermined.
  • Acknowledgment of John Calvin’s contributions.

Understanding God’s Knowledge

• God's knowledge is infinite and detailed.
• God knows the number of hairs on every human head.
• His knowledge extends to every detail, including the fall of a sparrow.

Illustration of God's Knowledge

• A hypothetical story of a wealthy Christian father with two sons.
  • Father arranged his will, knowing how his sons would respond to a gospel presentation.
  • Demonstrates knowledge without compulsion.

Conclusion

• God’s complete knowledge covers past and future events without impeding human free will.
• God’s omniscience allows Him to be in total control while respecting individual choices.
• Emphasis on the importance of understanding the depth of God’s knowledge and its implications.