“Without a preacher, predestination is horror; with a preacher it is the greatest comfort, and for this reason the Lutheran teaching on predestination is actually its pastoral care of the soul (Seelsorge). The preached word of promise is not only the presence of Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit in person, but is the unthwartable destination of the Father to get through to us sinners. When people are suffering and dying, they need to hear that God’s promise cannot fail.”

– Steven D. Paulson, “Lutheran Theology” (218)

Question:

Is Dr. Paulson right? When the doctrine of predestination is joined to the promises of Christ in the proclaimed word are we dealing with the heart of pastoral care?

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