veiws on fate and predestiny QUESTION from Elizabeth on October 6, 2002 What is the Catholic Church's veiws on fate and predestiny?
ANSWER by John-Paul Ignatius, OLSM on October 9, 2002 Dear Elizabeth:
Christianity believes in free will. Thus we are not predestined in some deterministic way that destroys our free willcannot be changed.
That notion that we are fated in some way that precludes free will was one of the heresies of John Calvin who denied free will and preached that all were predestined for heaven or hell and there was nothing we could do about it. This is utter anti-biblical, but that is what he taught. God does not pick who is going to hell and force them to go there. The Bible says that He wishes ALL to be saved.
The Catholic concept is that predestination a mystery. God knows our destiny yet He does not intrude on our free will. While he has foreknowledge of our eternity destiny and provides for the graces we receive, He does not positively fore-ordain anyone to hell. We each have free will to choose our destiny.
For a more theological and complete definition see: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12378a.htm
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