INSPIRED by the assertion of President Rodrigo Duterte that his presidency was tailored-fit to him by destiny, this inquisitive corner seeks to resolve whether or not the doctrine of chances is real.
Great theologians like John Calvin and John Wesley in a hair’s breadth difference, both interpreted biblical predestination as “all events have been willed by God.” That God willed eternal damnation for some people and salvation for others.
And another John of Damascus in the eight century argued that “acts arising from people’s wills are not part of God’s providence at all.”
Granting arguendo that the Johns are true that human are predestined according to the will of God, then why pursue according to our own will to land a good job, to establish a happy family, to become rich, and in everything we ought to become?
For instance, there are students who are good in scholastic performance while in college, yet failed in board exams; and cheaters at schools are catapulted to good marks.
Others are performing best in their employment, yet fired at the end of five months. While on the other hand, there are those who only perform at the nose of their supervisors become permanent in employment status and even received perks and increases.
Worse is that in our immediate surroundings, we see people from early in the morning until late in the afternoon or even at night, sitting at the gambling table with alcohol; yet are lavish with all their needs compared to those who work for survival day and night, and double their efforts for a clean money.
Are we really predestined to what we are today? Or is life merely made by chances?
The wisest ever in the history of mankind, King Solomon wrote: Ecclesiastes 9:11 (NKJV) - - I returned and saw under the sun that– The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favor to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.
In the end, submit to the will of God; whenever you are, leave a random act of kindness for your fellowmen, and left no stone unturned for chances.