Doctrine Matters with Kevin DeYoung: What Is the Doctrine of Predestination?
In the March 25, 2025 episode of Doctrine Matters with Kevin DeYoung, hosted by Crossway, Kevin DeYoung delves into the intricate and often debated theological concept of predestination. This episode provides a comprehensive exploration of predestination, election, and reprobation, addressing both theological nuances and common objections. Below is a detailed summary capturing the key discussions, insights, and conclusions presented throughout the episode.
1. Introduction to Predestination
Kevin DeYoung opens the discussion by acknowledging the complexity and existential weight of predestination, a doctrine that intersects deeply with the concepts of God's sovereignty and human responsibility.
Kevin DeYoung [00:45]: "This is related to God's sovereignty and God's decrees. Last week we talked about how God's decrees are simple and immutable, eternal, absolute."
He sets the stage by distinguishing predestination from related terms, emphasizing its foundational role in Christian theology.
2. Defining Predestination, Election, and Reprobation
The conversation narrows down to define and differentiate between predestination, election, and reprobation, drawing from biblical texts and historical theological positions.
Predestination is presented as the overarching category encompassing God's sovereignty in working all things according to His will.
Speaker 1 [01:12]: "Predestination is a word in the Bible, so every Bible Christian has to believe it."
Election is described as God's specific choosing of individuals for salvation, unlinked to any foreseen merit or action on their part.
Speaker 2 [02:26]: "Election is God choosing us unto salvation before the foundation of the world."
Reprobation, sometimes referred to as double predestination, is introduced as the counterpart to election, where God determines the eternal destiny of those not elected.
Speaker 1 [03:03]: "Reprobation...predetermines those who will not be saved."
The speakers reference the Canons of Dort to highlight historical distinctions between these doctrines.
3. Theological Implications of Election and Reprobation
The speakers explore the theological ramifications of election and reprobation, particularly concerning human merit and divine grace.
Speaker 1 [03:34]: "What is the ultimate reason why somebody believes and someone else doesn't?...it's entirely of God, or there's some small little thing left to our freedom that is making the difference."
They emphasize that salvation is entirely a work of God's grace, negating any basis for human boasting or merit-based salvation.
Speaker 1 [04:21]: "It's entirely of grace from start to finish...This doctrine is to make us humble and to put God at the center and not us."
4. Addressing Fairness and Justice in Predestination
A significant portion of the episode tackles the contentious issue of whether predestination is fair or just, especially in light of scriptural passages like Romans 9.
Paul's Response in Romans 9:
Speaker 1 [06:46]: "Paul argues, God is not unjust. That's the issue here."
The speakers summarize Paul's stance that God's sovereignty and mercy are central to understanding predestination, rather than human notions of fairness.
Speaker 2 [07:07]: "God is not unjust because he has mercy on whom he wills."
They highlight how Paul uses Scripture to demonstrate that God's decisions reflect His character and divine purposes, rather than arbitrary choices.
Speaker 1 [08:24]: "For God to be God, he must be merciful to whomever I want to have mercy."
5. Human Responsibility and Divine Sovereignty
The dialogue progresses to reconcile human responsibility with divine sovereignty, addressing common objections about moral accountability.
Speaker 1 [10:31]: "Paul doesn't back down from this objection...he doesn't deny that we are responsible for our choices and for our sins."
They explain that Paul maintains human responsibility despite affirming God's sovereign choice, ensuring that individuals are accountable for their actions.
Speaker 1 [12:19]: "Paul measures God by the only two things against which God can be measured. He measures him against Scripture and against himself."
6. The Role of Evangelism in Predestination
A prevalent objection is whether belief in predestination undermines evangelistic efforts. The speakers robustly counter this notion by citing historical and biblical evidence.
Speaker 2 [13:16]: "Calvinists don't believe in evangelism. Well, that's not true historically."
They reference notable Calvinist evangelists like George Whitefield and William Carey to demonstrate the compatibility of predestination with active gospel ministry.
Speaker 1 [14:02]: "Modern missionaries...were all Calvinists."
Furthermore, they argue that predestination actually fuels evangelism by assuring believers that God is actively at work in drawing His elect.
Speaker 2 [15:14]: "It's never that someone comes to Christ because you were elect."
Speaker 1 [15:41]: "Our task is to open our mouths and speak on behalf of the Good Shepherd."
7. Conclusion: Predestination as a Source of Hope and Humility
Kevin DeYoung wraps up the episode by reiterating that understanding predestination fosters humility, gratitude, and a sense of divine purpose among believers. It underscores God's sovereignty and the assurance that salvation is rooted entirely in His grace.
Kevin DeYoung [16:30]: "Our hope and prayer is that this has been helpful to you as you look at Scripture and try to understand the best of our theological tradition as Christians."
Key Takeaways
- Predestination: God's sovereign decree determining the eternal destiny of individuals.
- Election: The specific calling of individuals to salvation, solely based on God's will.
- Reprobation: The divine decision to pass over some for salvation, aligning with God's justice.
- Human Responsibility: Despite God's sovereignty, humans remain accountable for their choices and sins.
- Evangelism: Belief in predestination does not deter evangelistic efforts but instead motivates believers to share the Gospel with assurance in God's active role.
- Divine Character: Predestination reflects God's merciful and sovereign nature, going beyond human concepts of fairness.
Notable Quotes
- Kevin DeYoung [00:45]: "This is related to God's sovereignty and God's decrees."
- Speaker 1 [03:34]: "What is the ultimate reason why somebody believes and someone else doesn't? They're really only two answers. Either it's entirely of God, or there's some small little thing left to our freedom."
- Speaker 1 [04:21]: "This doctrine is to make us humble and to put God at the center and not us."
- Speaker 2 [07:07]: "God is not unjust because he has mercy on whom he wills."
- Speaker 1 [08:24]: "For God to be God, he must be merciful to whomever I want to have mercy."
- Speaker 2 [15:14]: "It's never that someone comes to Christ because you were elect."
- Kevin DeYoung [16:30]: "Our hope and prayer is that this has been helpful to you as you look at Scripture and try to understand the best of our theological tradition as Christians."
This episode of Doctrine Matters serves as an in-depth resource for Christians seeking to understand the doctrine of predestination, balancing theological depth with practical implications for faith and practice.