What are some examples of Christian apologetics responses to the Islamic concept of God that God is all-powerful so that everything that happens to a human being is because of fate and thus that what happens to a human being is interpreted as being more deterministic in nature? Background to this question: what is the use of praying if fate is a ruling force against/for a person?

I'm curious what the Bible says about Luck. Is this something that is a real occurrence or is every little detail ordained and controlled by God (fate)? I searched [biblegateway](http://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?quicksearch=luck&qs_version=NIV) and did not find "luck" under NIV. Then I tried NASB. The closest thing I've found comes out the of Good News Translation (which I don't trust at all) and out of the book of Sirach (which I've never heard of). >[Sirach 20:9 (GNT)](http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Sirach+20:9&version=GNT)
>Bad luck can sometimes lead to success, and a stroke of good luck can sometimes lead to loss There are more sayings in that book and translation, however, this really doesn't satisfy me, since I've never heard of the book of Sirach (and I really don't trust the Good News translation). **What is the biblical case against the concept of Luck?** ---- Just to be clear, I'm referring to Luck as the random chance—coincidence—that brings good or bad fortune. I'm not referring to an external force that influences the good or bad that happens in our lives. Clearly, if there *is* an external force that brings us good or bad fortune, that could be directly attributed to God, Satan, demons, or angels from a biblical/Christian stance. **Scope:** Just to be clear, I'm interested primarily in the Protestant Bible, but I'm willing to accept Catholic translations and Deuterocanonical books.

Certainly verses like Psalm 139:13-16 and Jeremiah 1:5 are about God and important figures agreeing that God created THEM as individuals with a soul and spirit before they were born (or even before He made the world). But that doesn't necessarily mean that God predetermined the fate of ALL people by preselecting the few that could be with Him forever. Exodus 9:16 certainly says that God "raised up" Pharaoh to be an adversary of Moses and God, but that could mean God elevated an existing character into that position for His purposes, not created him specifically for that role. Exodus 9:12 and a few others say that God "hardened Pharaoh's heart" to accomplish this goal, but He started with a person that was evil and condemned already anyway, so his fate was not changed. Luke 22:3 (Satan entering Judas to help capture Jesus) is similar. God could have allowed a person whose free will choices had condemned them already to become part of Jesus' entourage so he could be used for the role God needed at the time. Malachi 1:2-3 clearly says God loved Jacob but hated his brother Esau. Jacob would have been predestined for his role, perhaps God did design Esau in advance to create adversaries for Jacob's descendants (to reveal future lessons and glory from God). Romans 9:20b-23 confirms the authority of God to makes vessels for honor or dishonor (and destruction), but this does not mean He plans every person in advance. If God allows most people the free will to choose or reject Him, does that mean all the ones that choose Him are part of an Elect He decided on before the world began because God knew they would eventually choose Him? Or does God allow for someone's free will choices to change who is part of the Elect? For example, in Acts 16:25-34 Paul's jailer is amazed that Paul remained when he could have fled, opens his heart to the truth, and becomes saved. He then takes Paul to his home and explains the event to his family, who chose to also believe and be saved. Was the whole family already part of a predetermined Elect and the event is just how they learned this for themselves? Or did God add them to the Elect for their willingness to use their free will to accept the bit of faith that God attracted them with? If the latter, did God attract them in the first place because He already designed them to be in the Elect or does He give most people the option to respond to the truth He makes available to all who seek it? I believe we should approach this like God allows our free will choices to change things, so the Great Commission idea of verbally spreading the truth about God, or praying for lost people to find God, or living as a reflected example of Christ means something. Certainly it seems wrong to believe that God has predestined everyone to their fate. This would cause fatalism, people thinking they are either with or against God no matter what they do so they might as well live how they want. It also seems cruel to condemn people without giving them a chance, more like what the gods of mythology would do, not the actual God of the Bible.

**Is believing in the sovereignty of God the same as fatalism?** Fatalism teaches that fate will arrive no matter what you do. And Christians believe that God is in Heaven and does what he wants. Are the two different? How?

I am curious if there are any actions or conditions which "seal your fate" so to speak, such that should you do them—no matter how much you repent or accept Jesus or pray—that you are doomed forever to Hell. For example, Richard Dawkins wrote several anti-God books and has long been critical of religion; is it possible that he's "passed the threshold" of "saveableness"? Or are we all *always* saveable? Or someone who is born gay, and while I understand not all Christians think gays will go to Hell, there are certainly some major groups that do. Are these people then, ***genetically determined*** to go to Hell? A better example might be someone who is born blind and deaf, or extremely mentally ill, such that with no amount of instruction would they be able to understand the Bible, let alone the concept of "book" or "savior". These people would never embrace Jesus; are they damned from birth without any hope? **In other words, is it possible that the conditions of your existence could doom you to Hell *inevitably*, despite any efforts or willingness on your part?**