That doesn't mean we should give up understanding as much of our faith as we can. Christianity is not a mystery religion (in contrast to most world religions). Instead, it emphasizes reason as holding a vital role in faith, as Rodney Stark does in, The Victory of Reason. But it recognizes our reason has limits, often expressed as mysteries.
When it comes to predestination, it helps when we recognize the limitations of our reason when it comes to certain issues revolving around predestination such as God's election, His sovereignty, His gift of free will (part of the image of God), His foreknowledge, the assurance of the saints, etc. Some Christians seem to assert almost an absolute knowledge about these matters. I tend to be suspect of such assertions.
On the other hand, some Christians seem to all to hastily deny predestination, sometimes along with the other related issues I mentioned in the previous paragraph. I also tend to be suspect of such hasty denials.
Instead, while I try to ask for support for these positions, I also seek to urge them to recognize some of the mysteries surrounding some of these issues.
I hope to convey, and you will appreciate, some of the mysteries about predestination as I discuss it further in future posts.
Part 4 (The Bible)
Part 2 (Misconceptions)
Part 1 (Personal Testimony)
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