Predestination

Vital to the great Protestant Reformation is the doctrine of God’s eternal, unconditional predestination. The Reformers understood that this truth not only establishes the absolute sovereignty of the Triune God but also leads to worship (Ephesians 1) and gives us assured comfort (Romans 8). The Thirty-Nine Articles puts it well: "the godly consideration of predestination and our election in Christ is full of sweet, pleasant and unspeakable comfort to godly persons" for "it doth greatly establish and confirm their faith of eternal salvation" and "it doth fervently kindle their love towards God" (article 17).

Now available on audio tape is a recent Reformation lecture by Rev. Angus Stewart on "Predestination." Working from Romans 8, Rev. Stewart demonstrates (amongst other things) that it is only because of divine predestination that "all things work together for good to them that love God" (Romans 8:28).