Preterition

Every day I have a "Dictionary" entry that comes up on my computer so that I can read new words to see if I have even a speaking acquaintance with them. Yesterday's word was "Preterition" and it means "the act of passing over or by; disregarding". In this world which calls for justice and equality, it is a good word. I have a heart for the underdog, the person who "never was and never will be". I cannot imagine living in a world where your aspirations could never go anywhere. It makes me understand anger and weariness and a need to strike back. I was not born rich but I was born to dream and think that there was a good chance that I could make some of those dreams come true!

Then I read the definition further and it took this meaning one step further, "In Calvinistic theology, it means the passing over by God of those not elected to salvation or eternal life." John Calvin, your doctrine of predestination is not easy to explain or verify. I struggled with it as a child and as a seminarian and I still struggle with it. My problem as a child was that I hoped that I was among the "elect" that God picked to come into his kingdom; my problem as a seminarian was do I believe that the Scriptures verify this conclusion, and my struggle with it now is how do I justify that anyone can believe that God does all the picking and he plans the end results.

What it boils down to me is that "Unconditional Election" must hold hands with "Irresistible Grace" which asserts that the saving grace of God is effectually applied to those whom he is determined to save. I want to hope that God wants to save us all in the end and he will continue to pour his grace upon us as we struggle with ourselves and life.

Preterition is not something I want for anyone who does not wish it upon himself. There, BUT for the grace of God, go I!