Foreordination (Noun)
Meaning
(theology) being determined in advance; especially the doctrine (usually associated with Calvin) that God has foreordained every event throughout eternity (including the final salvation of mankind).
Classification
Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents.
Examples
- The concept of predestination, a central tenet of Calvinism, holds that God's foreordination is all-encompassing, extending to every detail of human existence.
- Foreordination was seen by some as incompatible with human free will, and thus sparked intense debate within theological circles.
- In this view, every event throughout history, including the actions of individuals, is considered an inevitable outcome of God's foreordination.
- John Calvin's teachings on the foreordination of salvation remain influential to this day, shaping the theology of many Protestant denominations.
- Theologically, some argue that foreordination implies that every action, decision, or thought, has already been determined by God prior to creation.