Purpose of God's Predestined Plan in Christian Theology
The Purpose of God's Predestined Plan
The concept of predestination is rooted in biblical teachings, particularly in the writings of the Apostle Paul. According to Ephesians 1:10, God's predestined plan is to "bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ" [2]. This verse highlights the ultimate purpose of God's plan, which is to unite all things under Christ.
The doctrine of predestination is closely tied to the idea of God's sovereignty and foreknowledge. As Easton's Bible Dictionary notes, the Greek word rendered "predestinate" is used in several passages, including Romans 8:29-30 and Ephesians 1:5, 11, to convey the idea that God's plan is eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional [1].
In the view of many Christian traditions, predestination is seen as a means by which God secures the salvation of his people. According to John Gill, a Baptist/Reformed commentator, God's foreknowledge is not simply a matter of prescience, but rather it is joined with love and affection towards those who are predestined [5]. This understanding is echoed in the writings of Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, who note that predestination is a more specific concept than election, as it refers to the precise means by which God secures the inheritance of his people [4].
The purpose of God's predestined plan is also linked to the concept of holiness. As Torrey's Topical Textbook notes, believers are "elected to holiness" and are called to live a life that is pleasing to God [3]. This understanding is supported by biblical passages such as 1 Peter 1:15-16, which cites Leviticus 19:2 and emphasizes the importance of living a holy life.
The ultimate goal of God's predestined plan is to bring glory to himself. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, God's predestination of believers is "to himself," indicating that the ultimate purpose is to bring glory to God [4]. This understanding is consistent with the broader biblical narrative, which emphasizes God's desire to be glorified through his people.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Predestination — This word is properly used only with reference to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or "determinate purpose" of God governs all events. This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the "secret things" of God. But if we take the revealed word of God as our guid”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 1:10 (BSB) — as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 1:5: predestinated--more special in respect to the end and precise means, than "chosen" or elected. We are "chosen" out of the rest of the world; "predestinated" to all things that secure the inheritance for us (Eph 1:11; Rom 8:29). "Foreordained." by Jesus--Greek, "through Jesus." to himself--the Father (Col 1:20). ALFORD explains, "adoption . . . into Himself," that is, so that we should be partakers of the divine nature (Pe2 1:4). LACHMANN reads, "unto Him." The context favors the explanation of CALVIN: God has regard to Himself and the glory of Hi”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 8:29: For whom he did foreknow,.... The foreknowledge of God here, does not intend his prescience of all things future; by which he foreknows and foretells things to come, and which distinguishes him from all other gods; and is so called, not with respect to himself, with whom all things are present, but with respect to us, and which is eternal, universal, certain, and infallible; for in this sense he foreknows all men, and if this was the meaning here, then all men would be predestinated, conformed to the image of Christ, called by grace, justified and glorified; whereas t”