Catholic Answers Live #12198 What’s the Difference Between Thomistic and Calvinist Predestination? - Tim Staples
May 16, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Tim Staples, an apologist and author at Catholic Answers, clarifies the profound differences between Thomistic and Calvinist views of predestination. He addresses complex ideas about grace, free will, and God's sovereignty in salvation. Staples unpacks the origins of the Protestant concept of the Rapture and tackles philosophical questions surrounding the existence of evil. His engaging insights shed light on how these theological models influence understanding of divine love and human agency.
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God Permits But Does Not Cause Evil
- God permits evil but is never its cause; evil originates from angels and humans.
- The suffering caused by evil leads to greater goods, exemplified by the Blessed Mother's profound suffering and ultimate beatitude.
Rapture Misinterprets Second Coming
- The Protestant concept of the rapture arose from a misinterpretation of biblical texts about the second coming.
- These texts actually describe the final coming of Christ where death ends, contradicting rapture theology predicting mass deaths post-rapture.
Thomistic vs Calvinist Predestination
- Thomistic predestination includes human free will and grace as cooperative causes in salvation.
- Contrary to Calvinism, God never causes evil and grace is resistible; humans can reject God's grace through free will.
