I. Introduction
Predestination is a Christian doctrine, which falls under the larger philosophical rubric of determinism. Calvinists especially adhere to the doctrine of predestination. There are two aspects to the Calvinist belief in predestination. The first declares that God basically has ordained everything that occurs, or will occur. In regard to salvation, the Calvinist code of predestination is more specific: Scripture teaches that there are certain people – ‘the elect’ – who are chosen by God, through Christ, to be called to Christianity, and thus be saved for eternity. Calvinist interpretations of predestination often get into trouble over issues of free will; indeed, some interrogate the notion of God’s omniscient power to create all events and actions, given the fact that humans clearly possess the power of free will. II. Part One a. Theological Definition
Predestination is a Calvinist doctrine, which governs the degree of control which God exercises over the affairs of human beings, and, indeed, all things that occur on Earth. Calvinist predestination insists that God basically has determined all things which have occurred, and will occur. A second meaning is also accorded to predestination by Calvinists. ‘Predestination,’ in this sense, refers to the notion that God gave to some grace, which grants them eternal salvation, while to the remainder is allotted eternal damnation, owing to their sins. The former state is referred to as ‘unconditional election,’ while the latter unfortunates suffer from what is termed ‘reprobation.’

b. Biblical Foundation
Romans 8:29-30 announces, “For [those] whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, [those] whom He predestined these He also called, whom He called these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” This is a clear announcement of predestination which actually uses the term, ‘predestined,’ as well as the ‘justified.’ Both these terms indicate something along the lines of predestination, assigning to a special few the “image of His Son.” Ephesians 1:3-6 similarly decrees that “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love, having predestined us to adoptions as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.” This is also a strong announcement of predestination, again using the term; and also indicates that a special few be accorded an adoptive status as “sons by Jesus.” c. Practical application
The doctrine of predestination is problematic for me, because I believe that freewill should determine one’s prospects in the afterlife; moreover, it should also determine one’s state of grace. If we make better, more Christian decisions, we should be suitably more refined spiritually. This only makes sense to me. I truly believe that God, and through Him, Jesus Christ, afforded us volition so that we could choose to follow Him; not that we are bound to follow him, lest we end up in fiery damnation. This is love. The other is simply duty. III. Part Two d. Theological Definition
Calvinism is based on the Protestant theology of John Calvin and his successors. It emphasizes Luther’s doctrine of justification by faith alone, God’s grace, and the doctrine of predestination. e. Biblical Foundation
Proverbs 16:33 announces that “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” Proverbs 20:24 declares that “Man's steps are ordained by the LORD.” And, as mentioned, Ephesians 1, strongly announces the existence of predestination: “we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose.” Calvinists also adhere to the notion that man is completely depraved, a belief justified many times by Scripture: “then the Lord saw that the wickedness of men was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thought of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5). Moreover, the Calvinist doctrine of unconditional election is not without Biblical foundation: “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Exodus 33:19). Irresistible grace is also warranted in Scripture: “And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the hearts of your descendants to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live” (Deuteronomy 30:6). f. Practical Application
Again, I do not believe in unconditional election, nor predestination, for reasons already covered. I do like the idea of irresistible grace, however; but I also believe that grace can be earned, in a similar way that Buddhists earn Nirvana. I feel that one must reach to God, just as He also reaches out to the believer. IV. Conclusion
I cannot readily call myself a Calvinist, nor believe in predestination for the aforementioned reasons; however, I do find understanding the Calvinist position enlightening, because it gives me something to argue against, in order to articulate my own theological position.

Reflection Paper Grading Rubric
Select the entire rubric below; then, copy and paste it into the final section of your Reflection Papers (this must be the last page of your paper). Student: | Criteria | PointsPossible | PointsEarned | Instructor’s Comments | Content: Does the paper cover the subject as thoroughly as possible? Are 2 topics covered? Does it demonstrate a personal understanding of the subject? | 65 | | | Introduction: Is there a clear introductory paragraph including a thesis? | 10 | | | Structure: Are there headings provided for each section? | 10 | | | Conclusion: Is a concluding paragraph given? | 10 | | | Mechanics: Is paper free of glaring errors in spelling, grammar, and punctuation and is it posted by the deadline? | 30 | | | Grading Rubric: Is this page provided as the last page of the paper? | 10 | | | Format: Is the paper formatted using current APA, MLA, or Turabian style (whichever corresponds to your degree program)? | 15 | | | Total | 150 | | |