Predestination

Definition

Predestination is the theological doctrine that asserts God has eternally chosen those whom He intends to save, determining their fate before they are born. This belief is central to Calvinist thought and heavily influenced Puritan beliefs, emphasizing the idea that salvation is a divine gift rather than a result of human effort or moral behavior. As a key element of Puritan literature, predestination shaped not only religious sermons but also poetry and captivity narratives, reflecting the struggle between divine will and human experience.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Puritans believed in predestination as part of their theological framework, viewing it as a means to understand the relationship between God's sovereignty and human behavior.
2. Sermons during the Puritan era often focused on predestination, urging listeners to reflect on their own salvation and relationship with God, while expressing anxiety about their spiritual state.
3. Predestination led to a sense of assurance for some believers, who felt 'chosen,' while it also created despair for others who feared they were not among the elect.
4. Captivity narratives often illustrated the tension between divine will and personal struggle, as characters grappled with their fates in light of predestination.
5. The theme of predestination in Puritan poetry frequently expressed deep emotional responses, highlighting the human desire for understanding amidst the uncertainty of salvation.

Review Questions

• How did the concept of predestination influence Puritan sermons and what messages were commonly conveyed?
  • Puritan sermons often emphasized predestination to highlight God's sovereignty over salvation, instilling both hope and fear in congregants. Preachers would remind listeners that only God determines who is saved, encouraging self-examination of one's faith and moral conduct. The idea was to provoke deep reflection on one's spiritual state, leading some to seek evidence of their election while others wrestled with feelings of despair regarding their salvation.
• In what ways did predestination shape the themes present in Puritan poetry and captivity narratives?
  • Predestination profoundly shaped Puritan poetry and captivity narratives by reflecting on the tension between divine will and individual experience. Poets often explored the emotional struggles tied to understanding one's place in God's plan, illustrating feelings of hope, despair, or longing for assurance. Similarly, captivity narratives depicted characters facing dire circumstances while grappling with their fate, invoking questions about God's intentions and whether they were among the elect.
• Evaluate the impact of predestination on Puritan society and its literary expressions, considering both psychological and theological dimensions.
  • Predestination significantly impacted Puritan society by fostering a culture steeped in self-examination and religious anxiety, as individuals sought signs of their election. This theological belief not only influenced personal identity but also shaped community dynamics, where discussions of salvation could create divisions based on perceived spiritual status. In literature, these psychological struggles manifested in various forms, from sermons to poetry and narratives, all reflecting a profound quest for understanding amid the rigid beliefs that governed their lives.

Related terms

Election: Election is the process by which God chooses certain individuals to receive salvation, a concept closely related to predestination.

Grace: Grace refers to the unearned favor of God toward humanity, which is essential for salvation in the context of predestination.

Total Depravity: Total depravity is the belief that, as a result of original sin, every part of human nature is corrupted and incapable of choosing good without divine intervention.