Here's a paper I wrote for a Theology class recently. The topic asked for the student to choose 2 doctrines from a list and explain them according to the topic headings below. The criteria were fairly nebulous. I received an A+ for the paper, but I believe in my heart that that only occurred because the professor couldn't bring himself to deal with mind-numbing minutiae rendered in an arcane manner...
Predestination and the Pre-existence of Christ:
I. Introduction:
This paper presents the doctrines of predestination and the pre-existence of Christ as separate yet intrinsically related. I will define both theologies and examine the relationship they share as a result of the omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence (the ‘threefold omni-state’)* of Christ, thereby demonstrating their inter-dependence and eternality.
II. Part 1: Predestination:
a. Theological Definition:
As our course materials suggest, a crucial part of defining
theology involves using the right tools; in this case, the correct Greek root-words. The
word ‘predestined’ as used in Romans 8:29 (NASV) comes from the Greek root word ‘proorizo’
which translates as: “to pre-determine or decide beforehand”. The Greek word
‘proginosko’ (“to know before”) (A) is
translated in the same verse as ‘foreknew’. This word defines the meaning of ‘predestination’, not ‘proorizo’. That is,
“For whom he
did foreknow
(‘proginosko’), he also did predestinate (‘proorizo’) to be
conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren (8:29).“ The
verse can be interpreted thusly: “For those God knew, knows and will
know, the state of ‘being conformed
to the likeness of His Son’ is a predetermination”. The state
of predestination refers to those who are part of the
eternality of salvation, that is, those whom God knew, knows and will know as saved. The
predetermination of that
salvation is “the likeness of Christ”. Predetermination here
means that the outcome of salvation is fixed: “the likeness of Christ”. Therefore,
Romans 8:29 defines the theology of predestination to mean that those whom God
saved, and continues to save, are, and will be, conformed to the likeness of His Son
for eternity, and are viewed by God similarly in the past, present and future (cf. the threefold omni -state)*.
b. Biblical Foundation:
Romans 8: 29-30 is significant in its specific use of the
Greek word meaning ‘foreknow’. 1 Pet 1:20 uses the same root-word for
predestination to describe Christ’s position as foreknown, thus joining those foreknown of God
(or, according to our definition, those who are eternally known of God by their
resulting likeness to Christ), with the eternal Christ. ‘Proginosko’ also occurs
in the
scriptures in Romans 11:2 (referring to the nation of Israel),
2 Pet 3:1 (reminding dispersed Christians of their foreknowledge concerning
Paul’s written warnings about false teachers), and Acts 26:5 (Paul’s defense before
Agrippa reminding those present of their foreknowledge of Paul’s Pharisaic background). This
consistent use of the Greek word for ‘foreknowledge’ helps to further define
the theological definition of predestination by demonstrating the eternal, ongoing
aspect of that knowledge
leading towards an expected, eternal outcome, that of
likeness to Christ.
c. Practical Application:
Dr Towns discusses the idea of presuppositions
in “Prolegomena To Theology” G and contends that they are “self-evident truths”. However,
presuppositions can also be based in error. An erroneous presupposition
common to the doctrine of predestination is that it is the same, or similar to predetermination.
As demonstrated, this is not the case. The practical application of the
theology of predestination is to provide an explanation of the eternality of the believer’s salvation,
not to define it as a predetermined event for a chosen few. It also includes the
idea that, much like Christ’s pre-existence, salvation is eternal. If we consider
predestination in context of the Fall, God predetermined that the result of original sin
was death. He predestined that we could have life in Christ. (B) Therefore predestination involves the
eternal work of Christ facilitating its outcome in our lives, through
surrender of our free will to Him, providing eternal surety of salvation for all who
believe.
III. Part 2: The Pre-Existence of Christ:
d. Theological
Definition:
The term ‘pre-existence’ is used in the context of Christ’s past eternality to explain His awareness, being and responsibility (cf. the ‘threefold omni-state’) * from the beginning of creation, encompassing His earthly
manifestation and culminating with His present eternality.
Our course materials show the Old Testament confirmation of this in the Christophanies, Messianic
prophecies, names of Jehovah
ascribed to Christ, and the New Testament use of quotes from
the Old Testament (C), all of which explain when
His pre-existence occurred. In addition, Dr Towns presents 8 aspects to Christ’s claim to deity. His 7th
point affirms Christ’s claims to omnipotence, omniscience and omnipresence, thus providing
the framework for how Christ pre-exists. When considered in conjunction with when Christ pre-existed, we are provided with a succinct theological definition of
pre-existence: from before creation into the future, He was, is and will be.
e. Biblical Foundation:
The New Testament clearly establishes that Christ’s
deity is inextricably intertwined with His pre-existence (John 1:1-18). Other
notable passages include Col 1:16, Heb 13:8 and Rev 1:18. Passages abound in the Old
Testament linking His pre-existent state to His earthly manifestation through Messianic
prophecies: Gen. 3:15, 49:10; Job 19:25–29; Num 24:5–7; Josh 5:13-15; Ps
2:7–12; Isa 9:6–7; Isa 53; Dan 3:24–25 and 9:24–27. (D)
The New Testament records Christ stating that He was fulfilling the Old Testament (Luke 24:27, 44; Jn 5:46). Examples
of the disciples quoting Old
Testament scriptures to prove Christ was the
Messiah include: Acts 3:18, 17:2-3 and I Cor 15:3-4. (E)
One of the most compelling arguments for Christ’s pre-existence and deity concerns
the question answered by Dr Towns in our course materials discussing the
names of Christ. He mentions that many biblical scholars question: “when did Jesus
become the Son of God?”. He answers by quoting Jn 3:16 in contrast with Gen 3:15, thus establishing that Christ was the Son of
God from the beginning, validating
His pre-existence. His pre-existence authorizes His ability, appropriateness and
authority (cf. the ‘threefold omni-state’) * to be the
propitiation for the sins of the world. (F)
f. Practical
Application:
The Greek word “theologia” describes a theology as
“an idea about God”, and careful consideration of the tools and requirements for
theology must be made. Dr Towns makes the point that scripture is the foundational
tool of theology in addition to its source. (G)
This is critical in validating Christ’s pre-existence and its meaning for us. Christ’s atonement is based in the eternality of
His existence; His ‘threefold omni-state’ * enables this for the past, present and
future. If Christ had not pre-existed, His
death on the cross would have been valid only
for those who believed on Him from that point forward. The application for all
believers is the fact that because Christ
is eternal, His work is also eternal, thereby providing all who have believed, are believing, and will believe, the guarantee that
their salvation is also eternal, and thus predestined.
IV. Conclusion:
The doctrines of predestination and the pre-existence of Christ have been shown to have an eternal facet. Predestination describes God’s foreknowledge of man’s eternal life from the beginning of creation, through the present and into the future, as demonstrated by Romans 8:29-30 and other passages. Christ’s eternal pre-existence and deity were demonstrated by many Old and New Testament passages. These two doctrines are inextricably linked, and can be understood through the ‘threefold omni-state’ * concept which expresses the eternality of both theologies.
_____________________________________________________________________________
* The
“threefold omni-state” means omniscience, omnipotence & omnipresence,
for the sake of
brevity & clarity.
A “Predetermine”
“Predestine” “Vine’s Complete
Expository Dictionary Of Old And New Testament Words”. 3rd ed. 1996.
Print
B Hudson Barton. “Anglo-Reformed; Anglicans In The Wilderness: Predestination vs
Predetermination”. July 5th 2013. Web. March 4 2015.
C
Towns, Elmer. “The Deity Of Christ”. Theology for Today. Belmont. Wadsworth Group, 2002. Web. Course
Materials.
D Wikipedia.
n.d. Web. March 3rd 2015.
E Paul S. Taylor. Christian Answers. Films For Christ. n.d. Web. March 3rd
2015.
F Towns, Elmer. “The
Names Of Christ”. Theology for Today.
Belmont. Wadsworth Group, 2002. Web. Course Materials.
G Towns, Elmer. “Prolegomena To Theology”. Theology for Today. Belmont.
Wadsworth
Group, 2002. Web. Course Materials.
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