Q&A Home > P > Predestination

• Could you please explain the concept of predestination from a biblical point of view?
• Does God know the outcome of our temptations beforehand? When the Lord told St. Peter that he will deny him 3 times, does it mean that He knows the details of what is going to happen in the future? He knew that all of the disciples will run away, "All of you will be suspicious at that night because it is written: ‘Hit the Shepherd, and the sheep will disperse.’" (Matthew 26:30). Probably He knows because He is aware of the strength of our spirits, and if my spirit is attached to him or not? He knew that St. Peter is not strong enough now to succeed in this temptation. Judas regretted his betrayal. He let go of his greediness and his love for money, but it seems he never realized he is valuable to God, and he never knew God's love for him. Was this the reason that he committed suicide? Was he so earthly? With seeing all the miracles and feeding the thousands and listening to the teachings: "Let your treasures be in heaven, where your heart should be" (Matthew 6:21), he kept his focus on acquiring money. It just surprises me that he reached this level of sadness and returned the money, but he didn't run to his master asking nor asked for forgiveness, nor wept under His feet on the cross confessing his mistakes. Is it accurate to say that not knowing his real value led to his destruction? The real value of a person is in his relationship with God, and so the objective of repentance is being with God again. It is not getting rid of the sin's burden or satisfying certain laws. Judas did not return to God again. The worst thing about the sin is that it is against God, and unless I return to God again, I did not repent yet.
• If man was given free will, why is our life predetermined?
• My question is about predestination and the Free will of mankind.. Do we accept the argument that God has already determined who goes to hell and who will be saved? What about our freedom of choice which should be the determining agent for our final destination?
• What does the word "predestination" mean in the Orthodox concept?