Do You Believe in Predetermination?

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Predestination refers to a divine order that something must come to pass. Predetermination refers to the settling of events before they happen, planning a specific outcome.

Predetermination is practiced by man, not a deity. So through the choices of ancestors, a person could be born in total spiritual darkness, with no hope of finding the Truth.

Thank you. I thought your thread was pertaining to God.

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Thank you. I thought your thread was pertaining to God.

The issue can get quite confusing.

Is it predestined that a person will be born in total spiritual darkness?

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

The issue can get quite confusing.

Is it predestined that a person will be born in total spiritual darkness?

Would you say that is on the same lines as a generational curse?

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by seguidordejesus

Yes, except for the last two sentences. I think that the last two sentences are true, but would clarify that God does not say "this one shall be saved, this one, no"....they all have an opportunity (which is why we need missionaries!)

Question? If God determines all the things that were listed before the last two sentences (and He does), don't you think those things influence the last two sentences? (and it does)

If so you must believe in Calvinism or in Universalism. Either God determines some to life and some to destruction or He will eventually bring every individual to full disclosure of His truth of which they cannot resist His love. I simply believe the latter.

[stmatthew]

No, I do not believe this is true.

I believe that God has set "Laws" in motion that to this day continue to achieve the results God desired. In example, I believe God set a Law in motion that every time a husband and wife comes together, and knows each other, that there is a chance of conception. But I do not believe God has to come down ever time conception does occur and create the life of the newly conceived. His Laws are the governing force that makes it so.

I do not believe some are "born to win", and some are "born to loose". I believe God has given the earth to us, and our earthly lives are what we make of them. This is the reason some seem to be able to rise out of obscurity. If you look at their live, they made a decision to change their current status, and push beyond the norm.

I believe this principle applies as well in the Spiritual realm. We have not because we ask not. If we truly want a powerful Holy Ghost revival, it is available to use. We can have everything that the bible declares we can have. IF we want it enough.

Now, having said that, I DO believe there are seasons that God has determined to do certain things. I believe Pentecost was a predetermined event. It was a specific event that would have to occur no matter what. The Death of Christ was a predetermined event. The resurrection. But for the most part, I believe that we have choice to be without, or achieve. It is within our hands.

JMHO

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Would you say that is on the same lines as a generational curse?

Sort of.

I do believe that we are all born with certain genetic predispositions. I also believe we are born into certain advantages and disadvantages. These could be physical, emotional, familial and financial.

The question remains, is any of this God's doing?

[Ron]

Somehow, I knew you were going to ask this question.




Seriously, the Church is predestined. Mankind has the option by the choices we make/don't make in either responding to the Gospel or the lack of sharing of the Gospel to the lost that determines individual destinies.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Sort of.

I do believe that we are all born with certain genetic predispositions. I also believe we are born into certain advantages and disadvantages. These could be physical, emotional, familial and financial.

The question remains, is any of this God's doing?

I think we make our own choices.

[Ron]

I remember when God began to deal with me in thinking of coming to Church.
I woke up one Sunday morning and I had a feeling that if I didn't go to Church that Morning I was never going to go.

I now know that God was saying Come now!

Thank God I did.

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by stmatthew

No, I do not believe this is true.

I believe that God has set "Laws" in motion that to this day continue to achieve the results God desired. In example, I believe God set a Law in motion that every time a husband and wife comes together, and knows each other, that there is a chance of conception. But I do not believe God has to come down ever time conception does occur and create the life of the newly conceived. His Laws are the governing force that makes it so.

I do not believe some are "born to win", and some are "born to loose". I believe God has given the earth to us, and our earthly lives are what we make of them. This is the reason some seem to be able to rise out of obscurity. If you look at their live, they made a decision to change their current status, and push beyond the norm.

I believe this principle applies as well in the Spiritual realm. We have not because we ask not. If we truly want a powerful Holy Ghost revival, it is available to use. We can have everything that the bible declares we can have. IF we want it enough.

Now, having said that, I DO believe there are seasons that God has determined to do certain things. I believe Pentecost was a predetermined event. It was a specific event that would have to occur no matter what. The Death of Christ was a predetermined event. The resurrection. But for the most part, I believe that we have choice to be without, or achieve. It is within our hands.

JMHO

What about those who are born blind, lame, deaf, dumb? What about babies born to mothers that are hooked on crack?

Is this God's design?

Is this the absolute or permissive will or God?