The Thomistic Institute The Mystery of Predestination: A Catholic Approach I Prof. Bruce Marshall
Aug 13, 2025
Bruce Marshall, a renowned theologian and the Lehman Professor of Christian Doctrine at Southern Methodist University, dives deep into the intricate concept of predestination. He explores its biblical origins and the historical evolution of the doctrine within the Catholic Church. Marshall tackles the tension between divine sovereignty and human freedom, emphasizing how grace operates in God's plan for salvation. The discussion highlights key theological debates, enriching listeners' understanding of predestination's significance in the journey of faith and human agency.
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Doctrinal Limits: No Double Predestination
- Two cardinal Catholic claims: God never wills human evil, and human sin is foreknown but not predestined.
- Councils like Orange and Trent anathematize any doctrine making God author of moral evil.
Universal Salvific Will
- Modern Catholic teaching emphasizes God's universal will to save every human person.
- Vatican II adds that the Holy Spirit offers all the possibility of sharing in Christ's Paschal mystery.
What Predestination Means
- Predestination is God's eternal plan ordering rational creatures toward beatitude.
- Aquinas defines it as God's plan to order some to eternal salvation.