Surprise, Surprise!

I was once a part of a Presbyterian denomination (there are many). During that time I held to the doctrine of "predestination". Interestingly, I never really fit in and often had people complain that my view of predestination was not exactly that of John Calvin, nor of the standard confessional statements (i.e. the Westminster Confession, etc.). I kept insisting that my view was just what I could see in Scripture; my explanation was not well accepted.

Now, as a Catholic, I have spent a good deal of time reading Catholic theology. I have come across a number of people who have reminded me that Catholics are not "Calvinists". No one really had to tell me that. Many Catholics are, however, Augustinian; and St. Augustine did hold to a view of predestination. No, Augustine's view was not the same view as either Calvin or the Presbyterians (who do not actually have the same position on "Calvinism" -- though most are unaware of this).

I also found out something else though: as I read Augustine on predestination, I realized I did not need to abandon my views on predestination. I found out that the position that I held in regard to predestination was not as weird as many told me down through the years; it was actually very similar to the position of Augustine. Then, "surprise, surprise", I came across a few books and articles that outlined what the official Catholic position is on the doctrine of predestination (since the concept shows up numerous times in the Scriptures, the Church has to have a position on it). There is even a long article in the Catholic Encyclopedia about the Catholic understanding on predestination (and it may be different than what you are expecting!).

So, here we have, once again, one of the instances where I was already holding to a Catholic view of something even before I converted and became Catholic. This actually happens quite often, but do you know why? It is because the Holy Ghost is not dead. As "the wind blows where it will, so it is with everyone born of the Spirit". You cannot control the Holy Ghost, and you do not know where He is headed next. He moves in the lives of various people, and even can use the errors of the world and of heretics to bring people to the truth.

It was actually a glorious moment for me to realize that the Catholic Church already dealt with the subject and had a position on it. Even more wonderful was to discover that I already agreed with the official Catholic teaching; the Holy Spirit was teaching me Catholic theology even before I submitted to His Church. The revelation of God is amazing, and He always shows us His truth; we just need to be willing to pay attention to what He is saying and not seek to force our own opinions into God's mouth. When, by the grace of God, we do this, we find the truth to be even more beautiful than we imagined.