Some Christians have taught Predestination, including the Reformed theologian, John Calvin. An often disputed concept, it belongs within the larger context of John Calvin's teachings about God's grace.

The Second Helvetic Confession says: "We must hope well of all, and not rashly judge any man to be a reprobate." (5.055)

Calvin argued from Scripture that God has "predestined" or "chosen" certain people to be saved in Jesus Christ and others not to be. He insisted, that we could only be positive of our own personal salvation, and we are never in a position to judge whether or not another person is saved.

Calvin believed that the point of the doctrine of predestination was to remind us that God is free and gracious and there is nothing that we can do to earn God's favor. Instead, our salvation comes from God alone and we are able to choose God, because God first chose us.

When properly understood, the doctrine of predestination enables us to be free from speculation of another's salvation. We are called forth to hear God's message of good news through Jesus Christ and to trust in Him.

"For the preaching of the Gospel is to be heard, and it is to be believed; and it is to be held as beyond doubt that if you believe and are in Christ, you are elected." (Second Helvetic Confession, 5.059)

The doctrine of predestination is to be "held in harmony with the doctrine of [God's] love to all mankind . . . [and] with the doctrine that God desires not the death of any sinner, but has provided in Christ a salvation sufficient for all". (amendment to the Westminster Confession of Faith, 6.192)