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© Copyright 1998, Jim Loy
Predestination means that the future is already determined (predestined). This is a feature of many religions. God has (or hasn't) already written your name in the Book Of Life. The implication is that it doesn't matter what you do, it has already happened. You have no free will.
My opinions on this concept are reflected in the expression "For all practical purposes." To me, that is a profound and clarifying concept. Let me give an example. "Does this road lead to Chicago?" Well, not exactly, it's fairly complicated to explain how to get to Chicago from here. But, for most practical purposes, "Yes, this road does lead to Chicago." You may have to read a road sign, now and then. But, you are well on your way, if you drive down this road. Do you see how my favorite expression, "For all practical purposes," simplifies things. Normally, we don't even mention it, or we think of it as a trivial cliche.
How does my favorite expression ("For all practical purposes") relate to predestination and free will? Is the future predestined, yes or no? Well, for all practical purposes, "No, it is not." I appear to have control over my muscles. I appear to cause things to happen. I do not appear to be a puppet, whose every movement is controlled by a puppeteer. It does not matter whether the real answer is "yes" or "no." For all practical purposes, the answer is "No, there is no predestination. Yes there is free will"
So, am I saying that I do not believe in predestination? No, not at all. I am just saying that it makes sense to live my life and make my decisions as if there were no predestination. I choose to do this or that. And it doesn't matter that God knew that I was going to do that, all along. And it doesn't even matter if God caused me to do that.
It does not matter if there is free will or not. For all practical purposes, there is free will.