Some thoughts on predestination

It needs to be emphasised that predestination does not mean the selection of a number of people for salvation and the rest for damnation according to the determination of an unknown and unknowable will. That idea does not belong to predestination proper. Predestination brings man into crisis in the moment of revelation and decision. It condems him in the relation in which he stands to God by nature, as a sinner, and in that relation rejects him, but it chooses him in the relation to which he is called in Christ, and for which he was destined in creation. If a man responds to God's revelation by faith, he is what God intended him to be, an elect; but if he does not respond he remains a reprobate.

But since man is always in crisis, unconditional pardon and complete rejection apply to everyone simultaneously. Esau may become Jacob, but Jacob may also become once more Esau. As Karl Barth states, "for St Paul, the individual is not the object of election or reprobation but rather the arena of election and reprobation. The two decisions meet within the same individual, but that in such a way that, seen from the human side, man is always reprobate, but seen from the divine side he is always elect...

"The ground of election is faith. The ground of reprobation is want of faith. But who is he who believes? Faith and unbelief are grounded in God."

Methinks we stand at the gates of a mystery!

I have Louis Berkoff to thank for this interesting analysis. It's certainly helped me think clearer on the subject.