Predestination
Definition
Predestination is a religious doctrine that asserts the divine foreordaining of all that will happen, especially with regard to the salvation of some and not others. It has been particularly associated with the teachings of St. Augustine of Hippo and of Calvin.
Analogy
Think about predestination like a movie director who's already written and planned out every scene in their film. Just as the director knows what will happen to each character, predestination suggests that God has already determined everyone's fate.
Related terms
Calvinism: A major branch of Protestantism that follows the theological tradition and forms of Christian practice set down by John Calvin and other Reformation-era theologians. It emphasizes predestination and salvation.
Augustinian Theology: The philosophical teachings associated with St. Augustine, including his ideas on original sin, divine grace, free will, and predestination.
Doctrine of Election: A key idea in Reformed theology related to predestination; it refers to God's choosing certain individuals for salvation before the creation of the world.
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