Good will toward men

The LORD is good to all – Psalm 145:9

 

The doctrine of predestination in Calvinism portrays God as a cold and calculating ruler. From His heavenly throne He determines who lives and dies spiritually. He appoints eternal life to the “elect,” and eternal damnation to everyone else. Man’s free will is irrelevant. It is an elitist, arrogant theology that violates Scripture and God’s character.

The passage above says God is good to all. His grace is not limited to lucky souls who happen to win a celestial lottery. Free will is a theme repeated in Scripture, including Deuteronomy 30:19 – “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life.” That offer extends to everyone – the just and unjust. Here’s rabbinic commentary on Psalm 145:9 from the ArtScroll Tanach Series:

 

How different is our God from mortal kings who restrict their goodness and favors to a small group of courtiers and intimates! Only God is capable of bestowing beneficence upon every one of His creatures. Moreover, if a mortal king is challenged by rebels he will seek revenge. Not so our Almighty God: He seeks the welfare of the wicked who defy Him and tries to inspire them to repentance.

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