Does God Predestine Evil Things To Happen? - Michael Heiser

The problem of evil often leads to two flawed views: that God predestines evil acts or that He merely allows them within a sovereign plan, neither of which fully captures the biblical perspective. Illustrating this with the story of David in 1 Samuel 23, God’s foreknowledge does not imply predestination because God knew David would be entrapped but David still had freedom to act. This shows that God’s knowledge of events includes possibilities that never actualize, preserving human freedom. Humanity’s image-bearing role involves genuine freedom—a necessary attribute shared with heavenly beings—meaning evil results from the misuse of that freedom, not God’s direct will. God created humans knowing they could suffer evil but chose relationship over absence, valuing our presence despite suffering. Ultimately, God’s desire is for restored relationship and a renewed creation where heaven returns to earth, seen in the biblical vision of a global Eden. Believers are called sons and holy ones, linking them to God’s heavenly family vision. Through Jesus, the ultimate imager, believers are united into this divine family, fulfilling God’s original intent of sacred representation and eternal fellowship. #god #jesus #jesuschrist #gospel #lord #predestined #michaelheiser #grace