Expert: Michael Clark, Ph.D. - 2/17/2007

Question
Dear Doctor,

In Islam, people believe in fate (destiny), that everone is destined to do somethine, to die in that way, etc. as if God had already specified (predetermined) the course of life for man.

I would like to know whether in Christianity there is such an idea (I do not think so, although we did not choose our parents, religions, or names). Judas is not destined to deliver Jesus to the Jews; he chose it by his own free will because he likes money.

Best regards,

Answer
It really depends on what type of Christianity you're talking about. Most people say that Calvin advocated 'double predestination,' meaning that souls are predestined for heaven or hell. Whereas Luther advocated 'single predestination,' meaning souls are predestined for heaven but on the hell issue Luther stops and says it's a mystery. It can get fairly complicated and people still debate just what these guys really said.

For details search Google with keywords >> luther predestination calvin << and read over the top four results.

As for Catholicism, we tend to shy away from the word predestination, preferring the term 'providence.' Providence is about God's free will. Nothing is set like a machine in motion. Human beings are also seen as free, but that freedom can be compromised by factors such as age, immaturity, health issues, peer pressure, etc. Thus young or unwell people may not be as culpable for some sins because they haven't had enough time or perhaps opportunity to learn and grow in the good. God is said to permit evil for a good reason. God is always in control although it may not seem like it. God is also all-knowing. So God knows how people will choose. But they still choose.

C. G. Jung, the depth psychiatrist, challenged this view. If interested look up Jung's book "Answer to Job."

I feel that Jung's view is too much rooted in his own thinking. Again, if interested in discussing Jung, feel free to follow up here. I'm pretty sure I've already critiqued Jung at this website (somewhere in my previously answered questions list...).