Subject: Predestination vs free will--a thought.. |
Bible Note: Dear Brent, Let me see, God willing, if I can help clarify the excellent post that Kalos sent you regarding the term "foreknowledge". Foreknowledge does NOT mean a mere knowledge of the things we will do in the future. The meaning of "foreknew" in Romans 8:29 "God has always possesed perfect knowledge of all creatures and of all events. there has never been a time when anything past, present or future was not fully known to Him. But, it is not His knowledge of future events (of what people would do,etc.) which is referred to in Ro 8:29,30, for Paul clearly states that those He FOREKNEW He predestined, He called, He justified, etc. Since all men are not predestined, called and justified, it follows that not all men were NOT FOREKNOWN by God in the sense spoken of in verse 29." (Steele and Thomas) Kalos tried to explain to you the Biblical meaning of "foreknew" when he wrote " When the Bible speaks of God's foreknowledge, it refers to God's establishment of a love relationship with that person. The word "know," in both the Old and New Testament, refers to much more than mere cognitive knowledge of a person. Such passages as Hosea 13:4-5; Amos 3:2 (KJV); and Romans 11:2 clearly indicate this. For example, 1 Peter 1:20 says Christ was "foreknown before the foundation of the world." Surely this means more than that God the Father looked into the future to behold Christ! It means He had an eternal, loving relationship with Him. The same is true of the elect, whom we are told God "foreknew" (Romans 8:29). That means He knew them--he loved them--before the foundation of the world." I suggest you ponder upon the scriptures he provided for the basis of his explanation to you. Your on the right track and I applaud your desire for the truth of God's Word. PS Sometimes the Spirit is pleased to illuminate us by the means of the sweat of our brows. God bless your labor in His Word, John Reformed |