question :)

Hey quest. I have a question for you. What is the difference between predestination and foreknowledge? other than the obvious that predestination is God planning our lives out for us and foreknowledge knowing what is going to happen next...

I've heard both sides of the arguement, and honestly I dont know which one is correct. Up until about two days ago, I thought for sure that foreknowledge was the way God worked, providing us with the free will to chose him or not. I thought that God just knew the ending to whichever way we chose. Arguing that God is a God of foreknowledge also provides a great rebuttle to the arguement "why do bad things happen to good people" because it shows that God did not predetermine (or chose for us) what happened in life, he just allowed satan to send evil...but if God predetermines everyones lives ahead of time, wouldn't that make him the same one who decides who dies and who lives, the same one who determines the evil in our lives? Do we really have free will then?

So basically, two days ago...before I ran into this conversation, I thought, no way could God have our lives predestined...but now... Im doubting, just being honest with everyone here haha. So I'm asking for others opinions on this...

This is the arguement I recieved to prove that God does predetermine: How can the same God who creates, just foreknow? If the creator of our lives and the foreknower of our lives is the same being...doesn't that mean he creates what he wants...he predestines our lives? Verses:

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. " Romans 8:29-30

Also, if you have some extra time, check out Romans 9...It discusses Jacob recieving the blessing of his father rather than Esau, the oldest son. God says he hated Esau in there...and that he only shows mercy on those whom he wills. I think this applies to predestination, does God not show his mercy to all people? Does he predestine who will be saved and who wont? Now i'm not saying that predestination would be a bad thing...Who better to plan my life out than God. But I think that limits our free will...?

As you can see...Im confused. This is kind of a big topic and it really defines who God is. Sorry if not everything i said made sense, but I would love to hear yalls opinions on this :) please and thank you.