predestination

predestination
    n 1: previous determination as if by destiny or fate
    2: (theology) being determined in advance; especially the
       doctrine (usually associated with Calvin) that God has
       foreordained every event throughout eternity (including the
       final salvation of mankind) [syn: {predestination},
       {foreordination}, {preordination}, {predetermination}]
    

Predestination \Pre*des`ti*na"tion\, n. [L. praedestinatio: cf.
   F. pr['e]destination.]
   1. The act of predestinating.
      [1913 Webster]

            Predestination had overruled their will. --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Theol.) The purpose of Good from eternity respecting all
      events; especially, the preordination of men to
      everlasting happiness or misery. See {Calvinism}.
      [1913 Webster]
    

PREDESTINATION, n.  The doctrine that all things occur according to
programme.  This doctrine should not be confused with that of
foreordination, which means that all things are programmed, but does
not affirm their occurrence, that being only an implication from other
doctrines by which this is entailed.  The difference is great enough
to have deluged Christendom with ink, to say nothing of the gore. 
With the distinction of the two doctrines kept well in mind, and a
reverent belief in both, one may hope to escape perdition if spared.
    

Predestination
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."

  For the teaching of Scripture on this subject let the
following passages be examined in addition to those referred to
above; Gen. 21:12; Ex. 9:16; 33:19; Deut. 10:15; 32:8; Josh.
11:20; 1 Sam. 12:22; 2 Chr. 6:6; Ps. 33:12; 65:4; 78:68; 135:4;
Isa. 41:1-10; Jer. 1:5; Mark 13:20; Luke 22:22; John 6:37;
15:16; 17:2, 6, 9; Acts 2:28; 3:18; 4:28; 13:48; 17:26; Rom.
9:11, 18, 21; 11:5; Eph. 3:11; 1 Thess. 1:4; 2 Thess. 2:13; 2
Tim. 1:9; Titus 1:2; 1 Pet. 1:2. (See DECREES OF {GOD}; {ELECTION}.)

  Hodge has well remarked that, "rightly understood, this
doctrine (1) exalts the majesty and absolute sovereignty of God,
while it illustrates the riches of his free grace and his just
displeasure with sin. (2.) It enforces upon us the essential
truth that salvation is entirely of grace. That no one can
either complain if passed over, or boast himself if saved. (3.)
It brings the inquirer to absolute self-despair and the cordial
embrace of the free offer of Christ. (4.) In the case of the
believer who has the witness in himself, this doctrine at once
deepens his humility and elevates his confidence to the full
assurance of hope" (Outlines).
    

47 Moby Thesaurus words for "predestination":
      absolute certainty, absoluteness, assurance, assuredness,
      certain knowledge, certainness, certainty, certitude,
      dead certainty, decree, definiteness, destiny, determinacy,
      determinateness, doom, fate, foredestiny, foregone conclusion,
      foreknowledge, foreordination, fortune, future, ineluctability,
      inerrability, inerrancy, inevitability, infallibilism,
      infallibility, karma, kismet, lot, necessity, nonambiguity,
      noncontingency, positiveness, predetermination, preordination,
      prescience, probatum, proved fact, sureness, surety, truth,
      unambiguity, unequivocalness, univocity, unmistakableness