reprobation

Reprobation is a theological term describing God’s rejection of certain individuals with respect to salvation. It is commonly paired with election, the doctrine that God chooses some for salvation, so reprobation denotes those not chosen.

In Reformed and Calvinist thought, reprobation is part of the doctrine of double predestination: God has sovereignly decided both whom to save and whom to condemn. Advocates argue it upholds divine sovereignty and justice, while critics stress human responsibility and the problem of evil.

In Arminian and Wesleyan traditions, election is regarded as conditional on faith and perseverance. There is no unconditional reprobation, and God is believed to desire all to be saved. Salvation is seen as contingent upon a person’s response to grace, with rejection arising from human unbelief rather than a fixed decree.

Catholic and Orthodox theology generally rejects unconditional reprobation. They teach that salvation is offered to all and that human cooperation with grace plays a role in the process. While some individuals may resist grace or be perceived as hardened, the framework emphasizes God’s universal salvific will, grace, and the mystery of divine action in salvation.

Historically, debates over predestination and reprobation emerged in the early church and matured through medieval and Reformation-era theological controversies. Today, discussions about reprobation continue within broader conversations on divine sovereignty, human freedom, and the extent of salvation across Christian traditions.