Ok, I am just wondering... what do you all think of Predestination?
I have a friend who says it doesnt matter if i was to preach from the phone book, the only ones who will respond are the ones the Holy Spirit calls...

I have another friend who says our job is to be ready to give an explanation of what we believe... to sew the seed, and the Holy Spirit works in the ones whose hearts are willing.

How does free will fit in to all of this...
I have heard it sometimes referred to as "Calvinistic"...
Is everyone's spiritual fate sealed from the gitgo?
These are all topics i am trying to sort through, and am somewhat unsure...
does anyone have thoughts on this?
thanks.
love, amy

I personally don't believe in predestination wherein it is believed that God predestines some to heaven and some to Hell.
If this doctrine were true, God would only want those whom he predestined to be saved. But God truly wants all mankind to be saved:

1 Timothy 2:3-4 "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."

We don't have free will prior to conversion. Free will comes after conversion.

John 15:16 "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last"

Agreed.

Calvinistic simply refers to Calvinism which is the sum of doctrine taught by John Calvin. Predestination is part of that doctrine.

the Bible uses a word...Whosoever...it means anyone ...allc an be saved. It is zgods will for salvation for all. he does, however see through the portals of time and know who is and isnt going to be saved. THis is not predestination though. it is omnipotence.

Agree with you Nabster - free will plays a major part in this. And there's this:

2 Peter 3:8-9
"But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

John 3:16-20
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

Seems pretty plain, we're all given the opportunity.

Amy, here is another verse I thought you might find helpful:

John 1:13 "children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."

Thank you all... i met with the gentleman last night at our Bible study who is more of a Predestination tendency and shared the thoughts and he seemed to grasp the concept that like you said, God is omniscient, the choice is extended to all...

i appreciate all your thougths! it really helps!