Predestination.

It's perhaps one of the most controversial and misunderstood doctrines of the Christian faith,

leading many believers to avoid it altogether.

What does the Bible really say about predestination?

What impact does this teaching have on the idea of free will?

And what does this doctrine mean for our understanding of those who don't ultimately believe

in Jesus?

My guest today is Andy Nasselli, and in our conversation, he answers a few of the most common

questions that we often have about this difficult doctrine.

Andy is a professor of systematic theology and New Testament at Bethlehem

College and Seminary in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and one of the pastors of the North Church

in Moundsview. His new book is called Predestination and Introduction, which is part of Crossway's

short studies in systematic theology series. Let's get started.

Well, Andy, thank you so much for joining me again on the Crossway podcast.

My pleasure, Matt. All right, let's start very briefly here. How would you explain the doctrine of predestination to a fifth grader. Well, election just means that you choose.

So I might, depending where I'm at, let's say we're in a room with some objects,

like we're in a kitchen and there's a bowl full of apples.

Maybe there are seven apples in the bowl.

And I'd say, if I want an apple and I choose an apple, then that means I'm electing that apple.

Why are you using the word electing now?

Because we said predestination, but you're bringing in this other word.

So predestination is the big umbrella term that includes,

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