Predestination: Chosen to Believe, Foreseen to Believe, or Something Else?
- Wired for Christ
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
"He predestined us to adoption as sons and daughters through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will," —Ephesians 1:5
Predestination can be a confusing topic. Many Christians struggle to understand how it works—especially when it comes to questions like: Did God choose me? Do I have a choice? What about free will?
Let’s clear the fog by looking at three main views that Bible-believing Christians hold:
1. The Calvinist View: God Chooses Individuals for Salvation
Calvinism teaches that before the world began, God chose certain individuals to be saved and others to be passed over. This choice wasn’t based on anything they would do or believe—it was completely God's decision. Those chosen are given faith and will certainly come to Christ.
Key idea: God predestines who will believe.
Ephesians 1: Seen as referring to God choosing specific people “in Christ” before the foundation of the world.
Emphasis: God’s absolute control and sovereignty.
2. The Arminian View: God Foresees Who Will Believe
Arminianism agrees that God predestines, but in a different way. God looked ahead through time and saw who would freely choose to trust in Christ. Based on that foreseen choice, God predestined those individuals for salvation.
Key idea: God predestines based on foreknowledge of human choice.
Ephesians 1: Interpreted with the idea that God knew in advance who would be in Christ.
Emphasis: Free will and human response to God’s grace.
3. The Provisionist View: God Predestines the Blessings for Those in Christ
This is the view I hold, shared by Bible teachers like Dr. Leighton Flowers. Provisionism teaches that God predestined what would happen to those who are “in Christ,” not who would be in Christ.
God provides a way for salvation to all, hence the name 'provisionist'.
In this view, the blessings of salvation—adoption, forgiveness, eternal life—were predestined for anyone who freely chooses to trust Jesus. The door is open to all. Christ is the chosen One, and all who are joined to Him by faith receive everything God predestined for His people.
Key idea: God predestines the blessings for all who freely choose to be in Christ.
Ephesians 1: Teaches that “in Christ,” we are chosen to receive every spiritual blessing God planned in advance.
Emphasis: God's love and provision for all, and the real opportunity for everyone to respond.
Why It Matters
Predestination is one of those deep topics that faithful Christians have wrestled with for centuries. While there are strong convictions on all sides, this is ultimately an in-house discussion—not a test of whether someone truly belongs to Christ.
We may differ in how we understand the details, but we all agree that salvation is found in Jesus alone.
I personally hold to the Provisionist view because I believe it best reflects God’s love, justice, and the real opportunity for all to respond to the gospel. Still, I respect those who see it differently.
Your view of predestination does matter. It shapes how you understand God’s character, how you see your own responsibility in responding to Him, and how you interpret the good news of salvation. So study it carefully, hold your view humbly, and above all—keep your eyes on Jesus.
Comments