What is the doctrine of preterition?

Answer

The Reformed doctrine of preterition states that God chooses some individuals for salvation and leaves the remainder of humanity in their fallen state. The term preterition means “passing over” and, within theological context, refers to the exclusion from God’s chosen ones. It suggests that God opted to overlook certain individuals while saving others. The Westminster Confession of Faith upholds preterition: “The rest of mankind [not the elect] God was pleased, according to the unsearchable counsel of His own will, whereby He extends or withholds mercy, as He pleases, for the glory of His Sovereign power over His creatures, to pass by; and to ordain them to dishonor and wrath for their sin, to the praise of His glorious justice” (Chapter III—Article VII).

Simply put, preterition asserts that certain individuals are not selected for salvation. Preterition serves as the counterpart to predestination. While predestination highlights the affirmative side of election—some are chosen for heaven, preterition emphasizes the negative aspect of the same doctrine—some are not chosen. It is a logical concept. Given that not everyone attains heaven, there must be those who are not chosen. Those not chosen for salvation must consequently be “passed over” in the selection process. If preterition were untrue, then everyone would be in heaven, and no one would be in hell.

It is crucial to distinguish preterition from double predestination. Double predestination posits that God actively selects some for heaven and actively selects some for hell—it represents a balanced form of predestination where God is equally involved in choosing individuals for hell as He is for heaven. However, double predestination is not supported by Scripture. The Bible does not state that God “elects” individuals for hell; the sole election mentioned in the Bible pertains to those destined for heaven. In contrast, preterition does not teach double predestination.It is believed that God actively chooses some individuals for heaven and allows others to remain in their sin—it is an imbalanced predestination where God is active towards some and inactive towards others. The doctrine of preterition is cautious not to exceed what the Bible teaches about predestination.

The doctrine of preterition aims to uphold God’s justice while maintaining His sovereignty in election. Due to mankind’s choice to rebel in Eden (and their ongoing choice to sin), their condemnation is completely just. Everyone is “already condemned” «He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. », (John 3:18). God cannot be accused of injustice simply because He “passes by” a condemned individual and allows them to face the consequences they deserve, just as a governor who “passes by” a last-minute appeal from a death-row inmate and chooses not to commute the rightful sentence.

The Bible clearly states that God elects or chooses those who are saved (John 6:37;Romans 9:10-13;Titus 1:1). The debate on election revolves around its basis: is election determined by God’s foreknowledge of those who will respond to the gospel, or is it solely based on God’s merciful sovereignty? The relationship between God’s sovereignty and man’s free will has been a topic of endless debate for centuries. The truth is that the Bible teaches about God’s sovereignty, wisdom, and mercy in salvation «Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. », (John 15:16); and it also emphasizes man’s responsibility to repent.And believe «and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. », (Mark 1:15). We should ultimately be content with not fully comprehending every detail of God’s work, knowing that His thoughts and ways are infinitely higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).

The doctrine of preterition teaches that election is one-sided. God extended mercy to some whom He chose «Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. », (Romans 9:18), leaving others to their fate. Meanwhile, the gospel is to be extended to all people (Matthew 28:1 -20). Those who believe in Christ are saved, and those who reject God’s merciful offer are not (Romans 3:10-11, 20-24). Reconciling God’s proactivity in salvation with the necessity for human faith is a challenge that finite human minds will continue to grapple with.