Originally posted by Susan
I am not intending to troll or get anyone angry with this. Therefore if this thread bursts into *flames* any mod is welcome to use a fire extinguisher on it and close it to prevent the spreading of said flames. 
I simply want to have a cogent and mature discussion about where you, the replier, stand on predestination.
As for me, I believe that the times and seasons are somewhat predestined, but that individual lives are not predestined to the letter but rather simply foreknown by God.
Hello Susan. Here is my take on the issue of predestination:
The New Testament speaks of the predestination, or election, of particular sinners for salvation and eternal life (Rom 8:29; Eph 1:4,5,11), although Scripture also on occasion ascribes to God an advance decision about those who are finally not saved (Rom 9:6-29; 1 Pet 2:8; Jude 1:4). For this reason it is usual in Protestant theology to define predestination as including both God's decision to save some from sin (election) and the corresponding decision not to save others (reprobation).
It is sometimes asserted that God's choice of individuals for salvation is based on His foreknowledge that they would choose Christ as their Savior. Foreknowledge in this case means passive foresight by God of what individuals will do apart from His foreordaining their action. But there are weighty objections to the view that election is based on passive foresight.
"Foreknow" in Rom. 8:29; 11:2 (compare 1 Pet 1:2, 20) indicates not only an advance recognition, but also an advance choice
by God of His people. It does not express the idea of a spectator's passive anticipation of what will happen spontaneously. God's "knowledge" of
His people in Scripture implies a special relationship of loving choice (Gen 18:19).
Since all are naturally dead in sin (cut off from the life of God and unresponsive to Him), no one who hears the gospel will
ever come to repentance and faith without the inner renewal that
only God can impart (Eph 2:4-10). Jesus said, "No one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father" (John 6:65, compare 6:44; 10:25-28). Sinners choose Christ because God chose them first, and moved them to their choice by graciously renewing their hearts.
Though all human acts are free in the sense of an immediate self-determination, such acts are
also the outworking of God's eternal purpose and foreordination. We have difficulty understanding precisely
how divine sovereignty and human freedom and responsibility are compatible, but Scripture everywhere assumes that they are so (Acts 2:23; 4:28).
Christians should thank God for their conversion, look to Him to keep them in His grace, and wait with confidence for His final triumph,
according to His plan.
God bless.
