[Cronos]

Then why not call it what it is—foreknowledge?

Exactly. Foreknowledge removes the notion of some "elect", superior caste which reeks of hinduism and not Christianity.

[kosta50]

Foreknowledge removes the notion of some "elect", superior caste which reeks of hinduism and not Christianity

I agree, but the term elect comes straight out of Pauline Christianity and is in line with Judaism which is the religion of the "elect."

But Paul takes this one step further: not only does he say that God elected some to salvation, but that he did this before the foundation of the world!

How do we reconcile that with the Church teaching that we condemn oursleves (by our actions – i.e. works-based salvation) rather than that God predestined each and every one of us either to salvation or to hell?