Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Theology) The state or fact of being determined in advance; predetermination. Specifically, it refers to the theological doctrine that God has decreed all events from eternity, including the ultimate fate of human souls.
   • (General) The action of ordaining or appointing something beforehand.

Usage

• Theological Context: The term is primarily used in discussions of Christian theology, particularly relating to concepts of divine sovereignty, fate, and predestination.
• Formal/General Context: It can be used in a broader, more secular sense to mean something that is preordained or fated to happen.

Examples

• Theological:
  • The debate centered on the concept of foreordination versus free will.
  • Calvinist theology emphasizes God's foreordination of all events.
• General/Formal:
  • There was a sense of foreordination about their meeting, as if it was meant to be.
  • The plan's success seemed like a matter of foreordination, given the perfect alignment of circumstances.

Advanced Usage

• "Divine foreordination": Explicitly links the concept to a deity's pre-existing plan.
  • The prophet spoke of a divine foreordination that could not be altered by human action.
• "Doctrine of foreordination": Refers to the formal theological teaching.
  • The doctrine of foreordination is a key point of distinction between certain Protestant denominations.

Variants and Related Words

• Foreordain (verb): To decree or ordain beforehand.
  • Many believers hold that God foreordains certain outcomes.
• Predestination (noun): A closely related, often synonymous theological term for the foreordination of salvation.
• Predetermination (noun): A more general term for the act of deciding or settling in advance.

Synonyms

• Predestination
• Predetermination
• Preordination
• Destiny (in a general sense)
• Fate (in a general sense)

Antonyms

• Chance
• Accident
• Free will (in theological contexts)
• Fortuity

Related Phrases/Idioms

• (To be) foreordained to [verb]: Destined or decreed to do something from the beginning.
  • He felt he was foreordained to become a leader.
• A foregone conclusion: An outcome that is seen as inevitable or predetermined, often used in secular contexts.
  • His victory was a foregone conclusion from the start of the race.

Noun

1. (theology) being determined in advance; especially the doctrine (usually associated with Calvin) that God has foreordained every event throughout eternity (including the final salvation of mankind)