As you can see by the title of this blog, I will be talking about Free will and Predestination. Does the Bible teach Free will, or Predestination? Or both?
Free will:
Free will is the ability to make choices according to your desire. Free will is of two theological viewpoints: Compatibilist and Libertarian. Compatibilism is the position that a person is only as free as his nature permits him to be free and that his sinfulness prevents him from freely choosing God (1 Cor. 2:14; Romans 3:10-12; Romans 6:14-20). Libertarian free will is the position that an unsaved sinner is still able to freely choose God in spite of his sinful nature (John 3:16; 3:36)
Predestination:
The belief in predestination can actually vary from Christian. The Calvinists have a different look on it then the Arminianists. But basically, God predestines us for salvation. But this of course brings up a question. If God has predestine us to do something, then how do I have free will?
Response: God's predestination does not mean that we cannot make free will choices. God predestines in and through our choices because God is all knowing and all powerful. He knows what we will do because he knows all things. He cannot not know all things. So, whatever you choose to do out of your own free volition is known. But his knowing doesn't mean you don't free choose.
Conclusion: The Bible teaches both free will and predestination. Free will is the ability to make choices. Our choices are limited by our physical, mental, and spiritual capabilities and God predestines us and knits us together in our mothers' womb.
God bless.
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What do you mean that "God does not know all things" ??
ReplyDeleteYou should read the whole of Psalm 139, because I think that Scripture makes it pretty clear that God is all knowing and this is not the only passage that refers to this.
ReplyDeleteThe way I understand this is that Jesus Christ was fully man and fully God, you cannot take away one without taking away who Christ is. It is the same with predestination and free will. It is 100% God's choice and 100% mans choice, but you cannot take away anything from it or you take away from our free will and God's sovereignty.
Guys, if you read more closely I said God CANNOT NOT know all things. I never suggested that God doesn't know all things. Indeed He does.
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