Predestination

Definition

Predestination is the theological doctrine that asserts that God has already determined the fate of every individual, specifically regarding their salvation or damnation. This belief emphasizes God's omnipotence and sovereignty, suggesting that human actions cannot alter one's preordained destiny. It plays a central role in the religious perspectives of certain groups, particularly among early Protestant reformers and Puritans, influencing their worldview and the literary expressions of their faith.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Predestination was a significant aspect of Calvinist theology, which heavily influenced Puritan beliefs in the New World.
2. The idea of predestination contributed to the Puritans' sense of moral responsibility and the importance of living a life that demonstrated evidence of being one of the 'elect.'
3. Many Puritan writings, including sermons and personal narratives, reflect struggles with the anxiety of not knowing one's predestined status, creating a tension between faith and doubt.
4. During the Great Awakening, some religious leaders emphasized personal conversion experiences over predestination, leading to a shift in focus toward individual agency in faith.
5. Predestination challenged traditional views on free will, raising questions about human responsibility in moral and ethical behavior within both personal lives and broader society.

Review Questions

• How does the doctrine of predestination shape the Puritan understanding of morality and personal conduct?
  • In Puritan belief, predestination instilled a deep sense of moral responsibility as individuals sought to live in a manner that reflected their status as one of the 'elect.' This led to an emphasis on piety, hard work, and community values as signs of divine favor. The tension between assurance of salvation and anxiety over one's predestined status often drove Puritans to engage in self-examination and spiritual reflection, shaping their literature and communal life.
• Compare and contrast the views on predestination during the Puritan era with those during the Great Awakening.
  • During the Puritan era, predestination was viewed as a fixed divine decree that emphasized God's sovereignty and limited human agency. In contrast, the Great Awakening introduced a more emotional and experiential approach to faith, where personal conversion experiences became central. This shift led some to downplay predestination in favor of promoting individual agency in seeking salvation, resulting in a more optimistic outlook on human potential compared to the deterministic view held by earlier Puritans.
• Evaluate how the concept of predestination affects literary expressions from both the Puritan period and the Great Awakening.
  • Predestination significantly influenced literary works during the Puritan period by fostering themes of introspection, moral struggle, and assurance or doubt regarding salvation. Many writers used their texts to grapple with these theological concerns. Conversely, during the Great Awakening, literature began to reflect a shift towards personal testimony and emotional experiences of faith. This evolution illustrates a broader cultural transition from an emphasis on divine determinism to one that acknowledges human experience and agency in matters of spirituality.

Related terms

Election: The concept that God chooses certain individuals for salvation before they are born, based on His divine will rather than any foreseen merit or actions.

Grace: The unmerited favor and love of God bestowed upon individuals, allowing for their salvation despite their sinful nature.

Covenant Theology:

A framework for understanding God's relationship with humanity, focusing on the agreements (or covenants) made between God and His people throughout biblical history.