Question 23 — Predestination

After consideration of divine providence, we must treat of predestination and the book of life.

Concerning predestination there are eight points of inquiry:

(1) Whether predestination is suitably attributed to God?

• (2) What is predestination, and whether it places anything in the predestined?
• (3) Whether to God belongs the reprobation of some men?
• (4) On the comparison of predestination to election; whether, that is to say, the predestined are chosen?
• (5) Whether merits are the cause or reason of predestination, or reprobation, or election?
• (6) Of the certainty of predestination; whether the predestined will infallibly be saved?
• (7) Whether the number of the predestined is certain?
• (8) Whether predestination can be furthered by the prayers of the saints?