Some people, even preachers, say that everything that happens in the world – good, bad, or otherwise – is the will of God. Is it? But often, people wonder, “Why do tragic things happen to good people?”
“I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For they suffer no pain; their bodies are healthy and sleek. They are free of the burdens of life; they are not afflicted like others” (Psalm 73:3-5 NAB). The realities of this life often just don’t seem to make any sense, even as they didn’t to Bible writer Asaph 3,000 years ago. The opposite of what common sense would tell us is what often happens. Why?read more
Are People Predestined, or Do They Have Free Will?
Do humans really have free will, “‘Predestination’ is a word often used to signify God’s foreordaining of all events of world history — past, present, and future. This usage is quite appropriate. In Scripture and historic Protestant theology, ‘predestination’ refers specifically to God’s decision, made in eternity before the world existed, regarding the final destinies of individual persons . . . it is usual in Protestant theology to define predestination as including both God’s decision to save some from sin (election) and the corresponding decision not to save others (reprobation)”—The Reformation Study Bible, page 1345
Are humans predestined, or do they have free will?
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him”—John 6:44
God warned Adam of the dire consequences of eating from a certain tree. (Genesis 2:16-17)
“If you do what is right, will you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door.” (Genesis 4:7 NIV) God warned Cain. His language indicates that Cain had a choice, or free will.
“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life.” (Deuteronomy 30:19 NIV) God made clear there is a very serious choice to make, and he urged, but did not force, the right choice..
“Enter by the narrow gate, since the road that leads to destruction is wide and spacious, and many take it; but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 NJB, emphasis added) Notice how the NLT renders the key phrase: “broad, and its gate is wide, for the many who choose that way.” Jesus clearly articulates the choice that people have, and that many, unfortunately, make the wrong choice. Jesus urges the imperative: “Enter by the narrow gate.”
“Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find out whether my teaching comes from God, or I speak on my own.” (John 7:17 NIV) Doing God’s will, or not doing it, is a choice. Anyone, and everyone, has a very serious choice to make.
“Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” (James 4:4 NIV) Being an enemy of God is also a choice each person has.
So, although God chooses who will serve him, human will is also at work. God allows each person to make their own choices. People have the free will to make choices in life, which can either be contrary to God’s will, or in harmony with His purpose.
However, belief in predestination, meaning that long ago God decided which humans will get eternal life, and which ones will get eternal damnation, is also quite popular. Due to this belief, or dogma, the Greek words “proginsko” and “proginzo” are translated as “predestined” in many Bible translations at Romans 8:29,30; Ephesians 1:5,11 (NIV; NKJV). However, these scriptures are more accurately translated as follows:
“Because whom He foreknew, He also foreordained conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be firstborn among many brothers; and whom He foreordained, these He also called; whom He called, these He also declared righteous; and whom He declared righteous, these He also glorified”—Romans 8:29,30 LSVread more
Some people, even preachers, say that everything that happens in the world – good, bad, or otherwise – is the will of God. Is it? But often, people wonder, “Why do tragic things happen to good people?”