preordination
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. The act of foreordaining or determining something in advance; predetermination. This is the general meaning, referring to the concept that events are fixed or decided beforehand. 2. In Christian theology, the doctrine that God has eternally decreed all events, especially regarding the eternal destiny of souls. This specific theological sense is often associated with the doctrines of predestination, particularly within Calvinist theology.
Usage
The word "preordination" is a formal and somewhat rare term, primarily used in theological, philosophical, or literary contexts to discuss the idea of fate or divine decree. It emphasizes that an outcome is settled before it occurs.
Examples
- General use:
- Theological use:
Advanced Usage
- "the preordination of": This phrase is commonly used to specify what has been foreordained.
- Philosophers have long debated the preordination of historical events.
Variants and Related Words
- Predestination (n): Very close synonym, especially in theological contexts. It often carries a stronger implication of a divine agent.
- Foreordination (n): A direct synonym, virtually interchangeable with "preordination."
- Predetermination (n): A more general synonym, often used in non-theological contexts (e.g., philosophy, science).
- Decree (n/v): A formal order or law, which can be the mechanism of preordination.
- Fate (n): A more common term for the idea of a predetermined course of events, but without the necessary implication of a divine agent.
Synonyms
- Foreordination
- Predestination
- Predetermination
- Foredoom
- Destiny
Antonyms
- Chance
- Accident
- Free will
- Volition
- Indeterminacy
Noun
- (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)