Andy Naselli

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Predestination: An Introduction

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In this new book, I invite you to hike up a mountain with me:

Predestination: An Introduction

Andrew David Naselli. Predestination: An Introduction. Short Studies in Systematic Theology. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, January 2024.

When you arduously hike up a mountain, it is satisfying to take in the breathtaking panoramic view at the top. God designed us so that we complete our joy by seeing God’s beauty, by savoring him, by praising him, and then by sharing our joy with others. In this new book, I invite you to let me share my joy with you. The hike is not easy, but it’s worth it because the view at the top is awe-inspiring. The more you know about God and his ways, the deeper and sweeter will be your praise.

Here’s how I define predestination:

God predetermined the destiny of certain individuals for salvation (election) and others for condemnation (reprobation).

Who is this book for?

This book’s target audience is thoughtful Christians—both pastors and laypeople—who want to study what the Bible teaches about predestination. I wrote it with several types of Christians in mind, including my students at Bethlehem College and Seminary, the members of my church (to whom I preached the gist of this book in four sermons), my wife (a homemaker and homeschooling mom), and my oldest daughter (who was thirteen when I drafted it). My main audience is not professional academics, but I attempt to be academically responsible. I aim to explain a complex topic simply but not simplistically. (pp. 1–2)

(See endorsements from Joel Beeke, Rosaria Butterfield, Steven Lee, Sam Storms, and Steve Wellum.)

Here are the book’s contents (15 chapters):

Introduction

PART 1: VESSELS OF MERCY
What Does the Bible Teach about Election?

1. What Is the Goal of Election?
2. When Did God Choose to Save Some Humans?
3. Did God Choose to Save Individuals?
4. Did God Choose to Save Individuals Based on Foreseen Faith?
5. Is Unconditional Election Unfair?
6. Do We Have Free Will?
7. Does Election Contradict God’s Desire That All Humans Be Saved?
8. How Does God Accomplish His Plan to Save Individuals?
9. How Do I Know If God Has Elected Me?
10. Did God Elect Babies Who Die?

PART 2: VESSELS OF WRATH
What Does the Bible Teach about Reprobation?

11. Who Ultimately Causes Reprobation?
12. How Does God Accomplish Reprobation?
13. What Is the Result of Reprobation?
14. What Is the Goal of Reprobation?
15. Who Deserves Blame for Reprobation?

Conclusion: Exult in God as You Take in the View

Here are four sermons I preached on predestination to my church in summer 2022 (part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4):

Here’s an interactive two-hour talk I gave at my school’s Godward Life conference on September 29, 2023—“Do We Have Free Will?”:

Updates: Matt Tully interview for the Crossway podcast: “Answering Hard Questions about Predestination and Free Will” (36:39 minutes, recorded 11/16/2022, released 1/29/2024).

“How Important Is It for Me to Affirm the Doctrine of Predestination?” (3:53 min. | transcript):

“2 Primary Goals of God’s Election of Sinners to Salvation” (3:33 min. | transcript)

“What Does Free Will Mean?” (4:10 min. | transcript)

“How Do the Arminian and Calvinist Views of Election Differ?” (2:42 min. | transcript)

“A Helpful Way to Understand Free Will” (5:19 min.)

“Getting Our Terms Right in the Predestination Discussion” (3:12 min.)

“How to Preach on Predestination” (1:00 min.)

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