"Determinism", or the belief things are determined ahead of time, does not necessitate holding a fatalistic position.
Determinism in philosophy is culminated in the Nihilism of today when people throw up their hands in utter despair saying, "What’s the use." The name "Nihilism" comes from the word "nothing," and is the result of a generation of relativism where there are no absolutes-- where there are no lasting values.
In the degenerate Greek and Roman mythologies, the very real existence of determinism was recognized in the form of three goddesses, who were called "Fates:" Clotho was said to spin the thread of life; Lachesis was said to measure it; and Atropos was said to sever it. Here too, determinism resulted in a fatalistic understanding, for who could argue with the gods?
In Scripture, "holy men of God" have written of "predestination" and "foreordination." Six times in the New Testament these words can be found, and there are "sister" words such as the word, "ordained."
Under the word, "predestine," Roget’s Thesaurus uses such words as "foredoom," "preordain", "foreordain," to mean one and the same. And under the word, "predetermine," the Thesaurus uses such words as "premeditate," "preresolve", "prearrange’, "doom", and "plan."
Someone will ask, "If everything is pre-planned by the Master-Designer of creation, why preach the Gospel? "Because God has not only planned the end from the beginning, but the MEANS of achieving that end. We trumpet the message of salvation, and "My sheep hear my voice and they follow Me," Jesus said.
"Well, then," someone else will interrupt, "What is the use of my praying for my unsaved loved one --if it is all planned from the start?" Do you have a burden for your unsaved loved one? Well, then, who gave you that burden? Satan? Of course not! If God burdens the heart in prayer, how could prayer be in vain?
Biblical predestination in no wise makes a man irresponsible for his actions, either. Determinism that is fatalistic leaving a man no longer responsible for his actions is not only unscriptural, but also strangely resembling worldly philosophy and pagan religion.
Scriptural determinism is in no way fatalistic. Predestination and Fatalism are not the same horse by a different color.
That man is responsible and therefore accountable for his actions is clear from Scripture. But then, that God has planned the end from the beginning and all will go according to His plan is equally clear from Scripture. Here is one of God’s mysterious paradoxes. Here is a marriage of God’s making. To preach either without the other is to wreak havoc to the Gospel of God.
*1,.... This 24th day of the 6th month called "Elul," in this 2nd year in the reign of King Darius did the "Remnant" of the Jews come and work in the house of the Lord of Hosts their God. (Nehemiah----)
*2,.... The city wall around Jerusalem is rebuilt in this 25th day of Elul after 52 days in building.—(Nehemiah 6:15)
2, 1792-- French revolutionaries will begin their merciless and bloody slaughter of all who will not join them in the shedding of blood in this "Age of Reason." Men and women with axes will be bent over, elbow deep in blood. A Satanic attempt will be made to obliterate religion in the country of France. Steeples will be torn down, cemeteries desecrated and bonfires made of Bibles.
4, 1847--Now in his 54th year, as he packs his books and sorts, his papers planning a trip to Italy, Henry Lyre will finish a poem he began 25 years earlier. It reads:
"Abide with me, fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens, Lord with me abide;
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the Helpless, O, abide with me."
*17,.... This first day of the 7th month called "Tishri" is the Feast of Tabernacles. -- (Leviticus 23:24)
*17,.... This day, the altar at Jerusalem is rebuilt by those who have returned from the Babylonian Captivity. --(Ezra 3:1,6)
19, 1853--James Hudson Taylor will leave Liverpool, England bound for Shanghai, China. "Dear Mother, do not weep," he will cry, "It is but for a little while and we shall meet again. Think of the glorious object I have in leaving you! It is not for wealth or fame but to try to bring the poor Chinese to the knowledge of Jesus."
21, 1522--Martin Luther’s German translation of the New Testament will be in print today.
*26,.... This 10th day of the 7th month called "Tishri" is the Day of Atonement. --(Leviticus 23:27)
*26.... On this Day of Atonement, every S0th year, shall be the Year of Jubilee. On this Day, liberty is proclaimed throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants who have been servants to their brethren due to financial conditions. Their family possessions are returned.
29, 1867--The first Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) building is to be dedicated. The organization has been founded through the efforts of Dwight Lyman Moody.
30, 1770--At 6:00 this Sunday morning, George Whitefield died. This ends 34 years of preaching which has entailed the preaching of 18,000 sermons. The last words he was heard to utter, "Fly, fly, o Time! Welcome, welcome, long-looked for Eternity!"
