(This is part 1 of 6; Click for: part 2. Appendix available upon request)
INTRODUCTION
The apostle Paul uses the terms foreknowledge and predestination in his writings. In particular, he uses these terms in Romans 8:28-30 in a passage of Scripture often called the “golden chain.” The name is fitting as many have developed a doctrine of soteriology from Paul’s writing here. [1] What does he mean by “foreknown,” and “predestined?”
Eskola calls Romans 8:28-30 one of the most important passages dealing with predestination and calling. He also calls it one of the most difficult. [2] This paper takes on a difficult subject that Paul writes about from the very depth of his being. The first step in this study began in prayer for clarity. That was followed by a personal translation, syntax, and grammar study in the original Greek passage (See Appendix 1).
Many scholars say that Paul’s view on election is wrapped up in his theology of God making them difficult to isolate. These thoughts are part of Paul’s sense of who God is. He does not always clarify the individual meanings of these thoughts due to his concentration and focus upon an amazing, loving God. Paul knows a sovereign and just God and tries to explain all of His authority in the midst of His overpowering love. This is a God whom all of mankind has sinned against, and yet He still provided redemption. This redemption was planned before creation and covers all the sin debt each individual could ever owe.
The gospel is clear in Paul’s writing. Yet how does he use the term foreknowledge and predestination in line with the gospel. This passage is referred to as the ordo salutis. [3] The Roman Road (Rom 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9) speaks of man’s sin, the penalty of that sin, the payment required to cancel that sin, and how to accept the payment that was made. Did Paul intend to tell the readers in Romans 8:28-30 that the plan was in place for those foreknown by God? Is it a plan that is in place no matter what men choose to do themselves?
This passage of Scripture truly is a difficult one to fully understand. However, it is also in a celebration moment of this Book. Paul took joy in writing these words and the Holy Spirit intended them as comfort to those who believed. Therefore, this is a pursuit worth the difficulty. This is a quest that will not be fully answered in a single study but is a journey that God uses in the individual saint to sharpen their understanding of who He is (Read several English Translations of the study passage).
(This is part 1 of 6; Click for: part 2. Appendix available upon request)
[1] Douglas J. Moo, The Epistle to the Romans (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1996), 529.[2] Timo Eskola, Theodicy and Predestination in Pauline Soteriology (Tübingen, Germany: Mohr Siebeck, 1998), 167.[3] “the order of salvation”
