Foreordaining

Foreordaining refers to the act of decreeing or determining something in advance; to predestine. It implies a divine or powerful agency setting events in motion with a predetermined outcome, often implying fate or inevitability. The concept speaks to the belief that certain events, circumstances, or actions are planned or decided beforehand, shaping the course of subsequent occurrences. It can encompass a range of concepts, from the grand design of the universe to smaller-scale decisions. Often, the connotation is related to a lack of free will.

Foreordaining meaning with examples

• The prophet spoke of the prophecy and foreordaining events, causing fear and uncertainty. Many believed the disasters were a consequence of a divine plan. Despite efforts to prevent catastrophe, the events unfolded as predicted, solidifying faith in the divinely foreordained narrative. Ultimately, they were not able to change the inevitable.
• Believers sought to understand God's foreordaining decisions of suffering and hardship. Some found solace in acceptance, believing these trials had a higher purpose, a part of the divine strategy. Questioning or resisting the divine decree was, in their minds, pointless. The community saw acceptance as the only way to deal with the challenges.
• The philosopher grappled with the concept of free will versus foreordaining forces. He pondered how any actions of humanity could be genuinely free if all was already determined. This dilemma sparked endless debates, which showed a dichotomy between responsibility and determinism. He ultimately struggled to resolve the contradiction of predestination.
• The epic poem depicted a world where fate and destiny controlled the character's choices. The hero was seen as both an agent of their choices and subject to a story line and an environment foreordaining his fate. This sense of determinism created high stakes and dramatic tension.