Highlander

I think what is scary with "predestination" is its wrong concept. Looking at the total picture of the Scripture, I think the teaching of predestination which says that God has already predestined some (actually, a few) to heaven and the rest of mankind was left out or "passed by" (thus, to hell) is UNBIBLICAL. The text (Eph. 1:4-5) in consideration does not teach that.

Q2. (Ephesians 1:4-5) What is scary about predestination? What is comforting? Why does Paul bring up predestination? Why do you think he praising God for it in the "hearing" of the Ephesians? There is nothing scary about the CHURCH being predestined to ADOPTION as sons. On the otherhand, it is very comforting because once a person becomes a part of the true church of Jesus Christ, he is predestined to be God's son. I dont believe though that outside the church, which is the SUBJECT of predestination in Eph. 1:4-5, God has predestined people - whether to heaven or to hell. At least, that's the way I understand the passage in consideration.