Bible Question:
Hi Zach, Will you tell me, what is free will, or at least, what do you mean when you use the term free will? We debate this topic a lot in the forum. Someone has defined it as, "the ability to chose not to sin." I think that we don't have a clear notion of what we're talking about, do you? Peace, Lionstrong |
Bible Answer: Hi Lionstrong Not trying to jump in for Zach, but thought I'd give a shot at your question. Free will is (very basicly) the principle that God calls us to Himself, and we have the "free will" or choice to respond to Him. This principle implies that our salvation depends on our choosing Him (after He draws us to Himself). The debate you are seeing on the forum is that of "free will" as counterposed to the concept of "predestination" (sometimes called the "doctrine of election"). Predestination (again very loosely) is the concept that God calls those whom He "chooses" unto Himself... that there is an "elect" who were "predestined" to salvation, similar to the way God "chose" Israel in the OT. This doctrine says that even our ability to choose God is a gift from God, so He is really choosing us, not the other way around. The basic difference boils down to the question of who chooses whom... and even this question could be debated. Does God choose us, do we choose God or both? ... and what is the relative importance of each of these in salvation? Both principles are found in Scripture, therefore both have validity, and much time has been spent through the past several centuries arguing one side or the other, or trying to fit them together. These doctrines are both developed from an assembling of various Scriptures, thus if you ask one person or another, the definitions may vary, depending on the relative weight you place on different Scriptures. I'm sure others will come behind me and prove this so! As with any good church organization, debating free will and predestination is somewhat an exercise in taking the simple and making it mind jarringly complicated. But it is Scripture and we do love it! Blessings Curt |