Predestination

Predestination, in theology, doctrine that through God's decree the souls of certain persons (the elect) are destined to be saved. Premised on God's omniscience and omnipotence and buttressed by the doctrines of God's providence and grace, predestination was taught especially by St. Paul and was elaborated by St. Augustine in opposition to Pelagianism (which denied Original Sin and asserted that people are free to do good or evil). Calvinism taught additionally the predestination of the nonelect to damnation, denying individual free will and regarding saving grace as irresistible and wholly gratuitous. Jansenism was a similar Roman Catholic movement. Islam likewise teaches absolute predestination.

See also: Religion; Theology.