Predestination is a theological concept that suggests that God has predetermined the fate of individuals, including whether they will be saved or condemned. This belief is often associated with Calvinism, a branch of Protestant Christianity that emphasizes the sovereignty of God and the idea of predestination.
According to the doctrine of predestination, God has chosen certain individuals to be saved and others to be damned before the foundation of the world. This selection is not based on any merit or actions of the individual, but solely on God's will and purpose. Those who are predestined to be saved are known as the "elect," while those who are predestined to be damned are known as the "reprobate."
This belief has been a source of controversy and debate within Christianity, with some arguing that it undermines human free will and moral responsibility. Others see predestination as a comforting assurance of God's sovereignty and control over all things.
Overall, predestination is a complex and divisive theological concept that has been interpreted and understood in various ways throughout Christian history.