PREDESTINATION, n. The doctrine that all things occur according to
programme. This doctrine should not be confused with that of
foreordination, which means that all things are programmed, but does
not affirm their occurrence, that being only an implication from other
doctrines by which this is entailed. The difference is great enough
to have deluged Christendom with ink, to say nothing of the gore.
With the distinction of the two doctrines kept well in mind, and a
reverent belief in both, one may hope to escape perdition if spared.
-- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"
programme. This doctrine should not be confused with that of
foreordination, which means that all things are programmed, but does
not affirm their occurrence, that being only an implication from other
doctrines by which this is entailed. The difference is great enough
to have deluged Christendom with ink, to say nothing of the gore.
With the distinction of the two doctrines kept well in mind, and a
reverent belief in both, one may hope to escape perdition if spared.
-- Ambrose Bierce, "The Devil's Dictionary"
Related:
- PUSH, n. One of the two things mainly conducive to success,
especially in politics. The other is Pull. -- Ambrose... - PANTHEISM, n. The doctrine that everything is God,
in contradistinction to the doctrine that God is everything... - SACERDOTALIST, n. One who holds the belief that a clergyman is a
priest.
Denial of this momentous doctrine is the hardest challenge... - ASS, n. A public singer with a good voice but no ear.
In Virginia City, Nevada, he is called the Washoe Canary... - MALTHUSIAN, adj. Pertaining to Malthus and his doctrines.
Malthus believed in artificially limiting population... - EXISTENCE, n.
A transient, horrible, fantastic dream,
Wherein is nothing yet all things do seem: From... - INNATE, adj. Natural, inherent -- as innate ideas,
that is to say, ideas that we are born with, having... - UBIQUITY, n. The gift or power of being in all places at one time,
but not in all places at all times, which is omnipresence... - RIGHTEOUSNESS, n. A sturdy virtue that was once found among the
Pantidoodles inhabiting the lower part of the peninsula of Oque.
Some feeble attempts were made by returned missionaries...
