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Please be sure to make it clear that a"yes" vote does not necessarily mean that they believe in predestination.

So Becky, when the Bible uses the word "predestined" what does it mean if it doesn't mean predestined? The note in my Scofield Bible says this (among other things): "The Biblical truth of predestination raises difficult intellectual problems, but these cannot be escaped by rejecting predestination and affirming foreknowledge. For, if God foreknows all events, then they are just as certain as if they were predestined."

We cannot just dismiss the truth of Scripture ot of hand because we don't like the idea. Either you believe it all or you don't. I'm not trying to be harsh or difficult and I'm sure that I'll get flak from others here, but the Bible says it and we have to believe God's Word totally, not just the parts I want to believe. Do I have it all figured out? Certainly not, and anyone else who tells you that they do is blowing smoke IMO. Just something for you to cogitate on.

The note in my Scofield Bible says this (among other things): "The Biblical truth of predestination raises difficult intellectual problems, but these cannot be escaped by rejecting predestination and affirming foreknowledge. For, if God foreknows all events, then they are just as certain as if they were predestined."

This from my Easton's BD,
Topics: Predestina'tion Text: This word is properly used only with reference to God's plan or purpose of salvation. The Greek word rendered "predestinate" is found only in these six passages, Acts 4:28; Rom. 8:29, 30; 1 Cor. 2:7; Eph. 1:5, 11; and in all of them it has the same meaning. They teach that the eternal, sovereign, immutable, and unconditional decree or "determinate purpose" of God governs all events.

This doctrine of predestination or election is beset with many difficulties. It belongs to the "secret things" of God. But if we take the revealed word of God as our guide, we must accept this doctrine with all its mysteriousness, and settle all our questionings in the humble, devout acknowledgment, "Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight."

I can’t believe that it has taken me all these years to actually consider the ramifications of this. duh (^g^)

Predestination is a difficult subject. But the bible also teaches very clearly free will. To answer what I feel about Predetinaiton I use the verse Rom. 8:29. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren.

I believe every word of the bible is the inspired word of God and that each word (I can hear the arguments over translation stirring already:) is given in the order and context God wanted for a reason.

This verse says he foreknew those who were going to accept him, THEN he predestinated them to be the image of Christ, which is how we have to be to enter God's kingdom. We were predestined to AS CHRIST, not to be saved.

Becky