John Calvin and Predestination

Predestination, as defined by Easton’s Bible Dictionary, is properly used only with reference to God’s plan or purpose of salvation and God’s governance of all events. (http://www.dictionary.reference.com/browse/predestination).  Although it is understood that God can foresee what will happen, in the original belief of predestination, the only thing separating the saved from the damned is simply a lack of grace.  In other words, those who are saved have submitted themselves openly to Christ, while the damned have the chance to either go to Christ or reject him.

John Calvin’s interpretation of predestination states that not only does God govern all events, but he also has already determined who will be saved, and who will be damned.  In this sense, many believe that this is a cruel and untrue portrayal of God, as he has ‘hand selected’ people for each category.  This greatly differed from earlier models of predestination that were presented by the Catholic Church and other reform leaders, such as Martin Luther.  Calvin’s belief differs from Luther’s, because Luther, like the Catholics, believed that God had chosen the saved, and the destiny of the damned was the product of their own free will.

Although John Calvin did not originate the idea of predestination, he certainly left his mark on religion and predestination.  Calvin is instantly associated with predestination, and has an entire denomination in his name that was born from the Reformation.