Greg Koukl explains that predestination, as described in Romans 8, refers to God’s sovereign act of ensuring that those he foreknew will ultimately be conformed to the image of Christ. While this seems to conflict with 1 Timothy 2:4, which says God desires all people to be saved, the tension is resolved by recognizing different senses of God’s will. Romans 8 reveals God’s sovereign will that cannot fail, while 1 Timothy 2:4 reflects his moral will that humans can reject.
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15 Comments
@sooner1867
God does not predestine anyone to salvation. Greg follows calvin and therefore he clearly not following Jesus and the Apostles on this matter.
@Effie-v6c
I don't see those two passages as a contradiction either.
@havardrivansson7902
How come Christians and Muslims both say people of other faiths can't go to heaven whereas the Jews say people of all religions can go there?
@TakingTurf
Noyce.
@okebaram
I thought this would be a good teaching based on the comments, but it is not. Predestining some to purpose DOES NOT mean predestining ONLY SOME to be saved AND predestining others to be damned. God has a good plan for everyone, a GOOD plan, the bible says His plans are good and not evil, you cannot contradict that. And the bible says in multiple places, not just Timothy that salvation is a part of that plan to EVERYONE and Jesus death was the execution of His plan of salvation for everyone. But not everyone aligns with his plan, because the bible tells us our choice is involved and to say otherwise is a contradiction of the bible. Also, our callings to specific purposes are different. When a person chooses to align with God and God works out His plan and purpose for that person, then that is what it means that such a person is predestined to purpose. Did you ignore the whole entire bible for one passage that is being handled without understanding and does not affirm the implications being made, then you throw out the whole bible? That's what is happening.
@pinkmendoza
That was a master class Greg! Thank you.
@Hermanopepe
Hello Greg. Unfortunately, you’re reading something into Romans 8:29-30 that simply isn’t supported by the text.
Paul is talking about types of Christ in Romans 8:29-30. Jonah is an example of someone who was predestined to be conformed to the image of God’s Son. God choose to send Jonah knowing that he would run the other way. Knowing that when he sends the storm, instead of repenting, Jonah would backslide like a backsliding heifer. That’s why he prepared the great fish. He knew Jonah would persist in his obstinate ways for 3 days. That’s how Jonah was predestined to be conformed to the image. To be conformed to the image doesn’t mean we are like Christ. It means that some aspect of the life of Christ can be seen in that person. For Jonah, it’s the death, burial and resurrection.
This passage has been totally misinterpreted. It is individuals of whom Paul is speaking. Specifically he’s talking about Old Testament types of Christ. The image/icon of Jesus can be seen in them. They were called. They were also justified and glorified. But if one is only able to think of the words justified and glorified in one way, they will not be able to see what Paul was saying.
Lastly, the things that happened to make them types of Christ, that’s to say, conform them to the image, didn’t happen by accident. Those things were predestined by God, which I can explain further if you’d like.
@soulifam
God's foreknowledge is a knowledge of those who will choose life, i.e. he knows they desire truth. Foreknowledge is the same as "looking back after the fact." He doesn't pick and choose. He ensures that those who will choose life (Christ) can choose (Christ).
Evangelism is the tool that facilitates two things. For those who reject Christ, it is God's justice that they were given opportunity. They will answer for both their sin, and for rejecting the remedy. Foreknowledge does not remove opportunity.
2nd, it ensures divinely that those who will choose life hear the gospel so they can respond according to God's foreknowledge of their heart and will.
This is why Jesus points out the harvest. The ripe fruit is ready to pick! Go get it!
@APolitically
He doesn't. Bad Bible interpretation, bad Theology.
@alihoussney7870
The point of the Great Commission is that we do not know who the elect are. God does not give us this information. We preach the gospel to all people and God draws his elect to Christ by means of our preaching. There is no conflict between the Great Commission and predestination.
@alihoussney7870
Hebrews teaches that Jesus ever lives to intercedes for those who are given to him by the Father, namely the elect. This is why 1 Timothy 2:4 is NOT talking about universal salvation. Greg and the caller both get it wrong. Paul is talking about a specific type of men, kings and all who are in authority.
@alihoussney7870
1 Timothy 2:4 is so often taken out of context. It is referring to a particular type of men, namely kings and all who are in authority. Verse 2 defines who the all men are in verse 4. Later in verse 6 Jesus becomes the mediator. If he mediates for those who end up in hell then his intercession fails. The Lord does not fail in any of his proposes.
@mkl2237
David Pawson give a very solid explanation of all this. It’s scriptural.
@katiesonlinename
Love this!!! Awesome job, Greg! Grateful for you!!
@Spartanthermopylae
Predestination is about service, not salvation, Greg!!!