A POSITION PAPER ON PREDESTINATION VS.

FREE WILL
AS RECORDED IN SCRIPTURE
By F. A. Heckman

INTRODUCTION

It is safe to say that ever since the Scripture was canonized, certain passages or concepts
therein have been in tension with each other. We shall consider one such case, i.e.,
Predestination vs. Free will, in which this appears to be so. The purpose of this paper is to
arrive at a tenable position on these matters, based not on any belief system, but based
squarely on scripture.

This being the case, this paper will present neither lengthy descriptions of belief systems nor
exhaustive commentary upon them. It is our belief that we should not interpret Scripture in light
of a verse or a belief system, rather we should interpret a verse or a belief system in light of (the
whole) Scripture. Furthermore, neither will this paper spend time and resources in condemning
or embracing any of these long-established belief systems.

Concerning salvation in Christian Theology, one set of such belief systems is Calvinism (most
notable tenet thereof, Predestination) vs. Arminianism (most notable tenet thereof, Free will) vs.
Universalism (all will be saved). Each of these systems claims Scriptural support and each is
considered irreconcilable to the other two.

THE CASE FOR PREDESTINATION

The Doctrine of Predestination comes out of the work of John Calvin (1509-1564. Calvin was
born in France, where he was educated in the law. In 1633 he experienced a powerful religious
conversion. Shortly after this, he fled to Basel, Switzerland to escape Catholic persecution of
Evangelicals in France. While living in Basel, he wrote the classic work “Institutes of Christian
Religion”. Later he went to Geneva, where he continued his important work.

Calvin’s Predestination belief system contains five main points, which are outlined in the
“TULIP” acrostic given below.

T - The total hereditary depravity

U - Unconditional election
L - Limited atonement
I - Irresistible grace
P - Perseverance of the saints

Parts U and I above, in particular, strongly support the concept of salvation through
predestination.

Now, moving away from Calvinist thought and onto Scripture, some references in which the
Predestination (Election) concept is mentioned are listed below: Mat. 24:24 & 31, Mark 13:22 &
27; Rom. 8:29-30 & 33; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:7 & 11; Col. 3:12; 1 Thess. 1:4 and 1 Peter 1:2 & 10.

1
Although this is not an exhaustive list, it is more than adequate to state the case for
Predestination and to command the attention, consideration and respect of any serious, open-
minded Bible Scholar.

THE CASE FOR FREE WILL

Classical Arminianism is a belief system which strongly espouses the doctrine of Salvation
through Free will. This system derives its name from Jacobus Arminius (1560-1609). He was a
Dutch Theologian, who was a Calvinist in his earlier years. However, as tine passed, he became
disillusioned with that belief system. Later in life, he wrote (in Latin) a treatise which he called
“The Remonstrance”. In this work, he took issue with many of the tenets of Calvinism, including
Predestination. The five basic articles of Arminianism (as expressed in the negative) are
outlined below:

Article 1: That they deny Original Sin

Article 2: That they deny Justification by Faith
Article 3: That they deny absolute Predestination (Article 3: same as Free will)
Article 4: That they deny the Grace of God to be irresistible
Article 5: That they affirm that a believer may fall from grace

Moving on without further comment on Arminianism, listed below are Scripture references which
have to do with Article 3 above, i.e., Free will: Mark 8:34; Lu. 14:27; Jn. 3:14-18; 11:26; 12:46;
Acts 2:21 and 10:43; 15:1; 16:31; Rom. 10:8-11 & 13; Eph. 2:5-6; 1 Tim. 2:1-6; 1 Jn. 5:1 and
Rev. 22:17. As in the Scriptures given for Predestination, this is not an exhaustive list, but it is
quite adequate to state the case. It should be pointed out here that the word Gospel, i.e., the
Good News, is mentioned 93 times in the New Testament.

As mentioned above in connection with the concept of Predestination, the concept of Free will
must be taken seriously and soberly by all dedicated and open-minded Bible scholars. This is
so because the Bible states that all Scripture is inspired by God --- (2 Tim. 3:16). In order to
avoid any equivocation, let us state here that the canonized Scripture consists of the 39 Old
Testament books and the 27 New Testament books. Thus, believing, accepting and obeying all
Scripture, is obligatory for all sincere Christians.

The apparent, disturbing discrepancy between the concepts of Predestination and Free will
leaves Evangelicals, Roman Catholics, Orthodox Catholics and other Bible-believing Christian
groups with a serious dilemma. As a side issue, the internet literature contains articles in which
Calvinists and Arminians accuse each other of holding heretical views on the subject of
Predestination vs. Free will. After searching the Scriptures, and finding tension there on this
subject, and knowing the rancor among fellow believers, what then shall the sincere Christian
believe?

THE EPHESIANS INCLUSION KEY

As mentioned above, the belief systems concerning salvation by Predestination and salvation by
Free will are considered irreconcilable by most Bible scholars, especially by the zealous
partisans of each view. Indeed, the very concepts seem quite irreconcilable.

2
There are many great benefits which come from regular Bible reading and study. Among these
benefits is the fact that the Lord occasionally gives the serious reader a new understanding of
certain Scripture passages read many times before.

One such epiphany occurred a few weeks before I started writing this paper as I was re-reading
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. In chapter 1, verses 1-14, Paul discusses Predestination
(explicitly) and Free will (implicitly). Beginning in verse 3, he speaks of Predestination in terms
of us and we. Who are the “we”? Repeated and careful reading of these initial verses leads
one to conclude that Paul is talking only about himself, other apostles and those specifically
called to service, such as Luke, Timothy and others. In later verses (9-10), the we seems to
include the Ephesian (and other) believers. In verses 11-12, Paul talks again about
Predestination in terms of us and we, again presumably himself and other specifically called
individuals.

Now in verse 13, the narrative takes a dramatic, sharp turn toward Free will – and you also were
included ---. In the gospel --- . The rest of chapter 1 affirms that a number of Ephesian citizens
were led to salvation by hearing the gospel and, by an act of Free will, accepting Jesus as their
savior.

Thus it now appears that there are two classifications of believers, those saved by
Predestination (the elect) and those saved by believing the gospel spread throughout the world
as commanded by the Lord in his Great Commission, (Mat. 28:19). Why God the Father, in his
infinite wisdom has ordained these two pathways to salvation, we do not know. However, be
that as it may, the explicit inclusion in salvation as stated in verses 13 & 14 makes it unequivocal
that all men, who hear, accept and believe the gospel will be saved!

This concept of inclusion now completely invalidates the strict Calvinist assertion that there are
but two conditions of mankind, those saved by Predestination or those damned to Hell by
exclusion. It also validates the following:
1. The effort to spread the gospel, to carry out Christian witnessing and fervent prayer for those
assumed to be mot yet saved.
2. The efforts of all those who have suffered great persecution in spreading the gospel.
3. The spending of large sums of money and other resources on missions and evangelism at
home and abroad.
The three endeavors stated above have been carried out throughout the church age. However,
we must not forget that during this time, the Lord has also called (elected) certain individuals to
specific Christian vocations. For example, the Scripture designates that some are made to be
evangelists, establishing that office to be a distinct Christian calling and vocation (Acts 21:6;
Eph. 4:11 & 2 Tim. 4:5). Also, Jesus chose, called and appointed the apostles, including Paul.
Throughout the millennia of the Christian (Church) era, and still today, men and women are
called to the ministry and to other Christian vocations.

Now, instead of the two classes of people as proposed by Calvin (the predestined and the pre-
damned), we have a whole different situation, according to the Ephesians 1: 13-14 inclusion
principle. Thus we now see an astounding two additional classes of people: these who hear
and accept salvation through the gospel, plus those who have not (yet) heard the gospel!

3
Those who hear but reject the gospel to their dying day are, according to Scripture, doomed to
eternal punishment. Having cited Scripture relating both to Predestination, and to Free will and
having said all these things, what should be our concise and tenable position statement?

THE POSITION STATEMENT

The proposed Position Statement is given below in the form of a resolution:

1. Whereas all Scripture is inspired of God, as written in 2 Timothy 3:16, and,

2. Whereas all true Christians accept and believe all Scripture as God’s Word, and

3. Whereas salvation by Predestination is valid according to the many Scripture passages cited
above, and

4 Whereas salvation by Free will acceptance of the gospel message is valid, according to the
many other Scripture passages cited above, and

5. Whereas. Salvation exclusively by Predestination, i.e., Predestination or damnation, is invalid,

according to Ephesians, chapter 1, especially verses 13 and 14, which conclusively include (in
salvation) those who hear and believe the gospel.

Therefore, be it resolved that the whole counsel of God proclaims and prescribes that both
salvation by Predestination and by Free will are valid concepts, as carefully defined and limited
therein. People will continue to be called by Predestination to Christian vocations and others
will continue to respond to the gospel message. Neither Predestination nor Free will is an
exclusive path to salvation and both shall continue to coexist and operate throughout the Church
Age.

Be it further resolved that Trinity Evangelical Church of North Reading, Ma 01864 approve,
accept and adopt the tenets set forth herein as its official position on matters pertaining to
salvation by Predestination or salvation through Free will as taught in Scripture.