Do Catholics believe in predestination?

Short answers:

1 Predestination, in the Catholic view, is part of God's plan, respecting each person's free decision.

Medalius

2 God includes human freedom in His plan of predestination, valuing every personal decision.

Medalius

Advanced answer:

1

Predestination, in Catholic faith, is understood as part of God's sovereign plan for humanity's salvation, harmonizing divine grace with human freedom. God, in His infinite mercy, desires all to be saved and come to the knowledge of truth, offering His universal grace to each individual. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CIC 600-603), predestination is closely tied to divine grace and human free will, where God, in His foreknowledge, chooses those who freely respond to grace and cooperate for their salvation.

The Catholic Church rejects the idea of double predestination, which claims that some are destined for eternal damnation. Instead, it teaches that God desires the salvation of all and respects each person's free response. Thus, predestination is not an absolute determination but an open invitation for each individual to actively participate in their eternal destiny.

Medalius

References

CIC 600-603
1 Timothy 2:3-4 - God desires the salvation of all, offering universal grace and respecting human freedom.
John 3:16 - Salvation is offered to all who believe, highlighting the free response to God's grace.
Ephesians 1:4-5 - Divine predestination includes human cooperation for holiness.
2 Peter 3:9 - God patiently offers salvation to all, encouraging repentance.
Romans 8:29-30 - Predestination includes conformity with Christ through human cooperation.
John 6:37 - God ensures salvation for those who freely approach Christ.
Philippians 2:12-13 - Salvation requires human action in cooperation with divine grace.
Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctification depends on human acceptance of Jesus' sacrifice.
Galatians 5:13 - Christian freedom involves responsible moral choices in response to grace.
Revelation 3:20 - Salvation involves a personal and voluntary response to Jesus' invitation.

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Do Catholics believe in predestination?

References

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