Introduction
The debate of free will versus predestination is one of the most controversial topics in philosophy and a key topic in religious quarters. Most philosophers claim that free will and predestination are the fundamental discussions in Christian circles, since the topics relate to the teachings of sin and grace. The protagonists of free will claim that responsibility is unavoidable and an alternative to free will is tantamount to spiritual paralysis.
Predestination is a form of religious determinism whereby all events have been planned by God. In addition, predestination is viewed as divine foreknowledge of all that ought to occur with respect to salvation of some people whilst ignoring the rest. Apparently, these debates have caused some believers to generate the feeling of helplessness, while others have faltered on their beliefs on a Supreme God. However, this article will show that predestination interrupts free will. The theme will support the claim that Christians should have the privilege to exercise free will.
Free will
The free will of individuals is based on the motives of the mind. Christianity holds that initially humanity was devoid of the debilitating sinful nature. It embraces the idea of individual responsibility, and thus it claims that an individual’s deeds whilst responding to all that interacts with him/her lead to personal weakness or goodness. People have the freedom to adhere to the doctrines and guidance of God. In addition, when individuals choose to respond righteously, God rewards them with His grace (Geisler 13). When individuals act against the teachings of God, He punishes them for their wrong deeds.
The protagonists of free will acknowledge that God is always aware of the choices that people intend to make and the consequences thereof. However, Christianity affirms that God’s awareness does not inhibit human beings from sinning or acting righteously. The free will of humankind is vested in the choice to determine one’s actions. The protagonists of predestination, who are also referred to as Calvinists, argue that God has the control of the free will to occur and He predetermines the results of any action.
This assertion does not interfere with the free will as predestination protagonists argue. The prior knowledge of God about people’s deeds must not be seen as fatalism. In addition, Christians do not lack the capability to command their actions. Christians can control and be responsible for their actions by the will of God (Ely 35).
It is difficult to articulate how responsibility can exist in human beings in the absence of free will. For an obligation to be met, ability must exist. If an individual decides to take a particular decision, s/he has the ability to do so. Therefore, the will should always be guided to act free, choose the good, and practice it. In this case, sin remains as a deliberate action and free will is the determining factor in wrongdoing. Human beings are capable of living life free of sin provided they decide to do so.
Avoiding sin does not need the intervention of the divine workings of the Holy Spirit or being aware of the supernatural powers of the almighty God. As newborns enter this world, they are not bound by sin. They are in a position of neutrality and it is upon them to make free decisions (Ely 39). The Calvinists claim that such position hugely belittles the real scope of sin as well as rejecting the grace of God in the redemption from sin.
Contrary, even when the doctrine of grace in salvation is preached to the wrongdoer, it determines if s/he will be saved or not. The protagonists of predestination claim that such is the working of the Holy Spirit. However, if that assertion is the ultimate case, why do some receive the grace, while others miss it? Therefore, it is only through free will that one will accept or reject salvation.
Predestination
The protagonists of predestination argue that free will has been bound to sin such that it cannot achieve righteousness. Calvinists perceive the grace as a necessity and hold that salvation can only happen when grace is present (Renault 41). Claiming that grace is a necessity from beginning to end and denying any efforts by the individual infringes on the very essence of salvation. Arguing that grace is predetermined or willed by God entirely makes it easy to refute such claims and question why some people receive the grace if not out of their will.
Christians should be proud of their ability to make good decisions like accepting salvation rather than being made to believe that they are called and chosen. Claiming that if a human hand had part in people’s salvation would make them boast and demean God’s honor is a misguided statement meant to interrupt free will. It is morally right for Christians to show pride for what they have achieved in Christ since this aspect serves to differentiate them from the sinners; however, they must acknowledge the role of God’s power, which enables them to accomplish anything.
However, this aspect implies that as much as salvation depends on one’s free choice, God’s intervention is inevitable. This assertion explains why some people have the grace and others out of choices decide to remain sinners. Some people believe in salvation, and thus the grace of God is availed to them. Sinners are offered the grace too, but they do not believe in it or accept salvation.
Therefore, from a Christian point of view, it is necessary to acknowledge that human beings have a part to play no matter how little it is. Consequently, assuming that human beings are bound by sin and entirely saved by grace with nothing to account of themselves weakens the responsibility of man.
Predestination protagonists acknowledge that people have free will, but only on things that they refer as non-essential. For instance, they have choices of the kind of the lifestyle that they lead. Human beings can decide the kind of clothes to wear, but in making choices on salvation, they lack free will. In most fundamental areas, people have no free will. Renault suggests that individuals lack free will in many physical and intellectual areas and so is spiritually. However, by acknowledging that Adam had the free will, which he lost, and men became bound by the sin is misleading since every person at birth is sinless.
The role of the Holy Spirit is intervening and facilitating human beings to believe and prepare their wills to receive the grace. Consequently, those who are not ready to believe have the choice to remain sinners. The mind is not predetermined, but it chooses the most favorable course of action. God is holy and sovereign as illustrated in the Bible. Therefore, anybody who chooses the grace has to acknowledge God’s holiness and confess his or her sins. Anybody willing to come to Christ can do so and this perception underscores humans’ denial to come to Christ not until the Holy Spirit intervenes and they choose to believe.
God wants all people to be saved; however, it is erroneous for anyone to want Christians to believe that God chooses some and let others perish. The teachings of predestination that human beings have no choice on salvation weaken the sense of responsibility concerning the willingness or rejection of salvation.
Predestination teachings imply that God has no power to save everyone. This teaching is sacrilegious and misleading to Christians since they believe in powerful God worth worshiping for His ability to save all from eternal damnation. From the predestination perspective, a believer may easily lose track of salvation and be entirely lost. Therefore, Christians should always be encouraged to hold on to their belief in the grace (Geisler 39).
Conclusion
Human beings should realize the revelations of God, as it is essential to understand and generate the belief in salvation so that He can fill them with His Holy Spirit that provides empowerment to Christians. Christians should be guided by free will and responsibility for their actions. After using the free will appropriately, the workings of the Holy Spirit will reside in individuals as they experience salvation. As Christians, understanding that everything comes from God is important. However, people should acknowledge that God has given them free will to practice it with freedom and His divine workings intervene in their lives.
Works Cited
Ely, Ezra. Calvinism and Hopkinsianism: A Contrast, Bedford: Applewood Books, 2009. Print.
Geisler, Norman. Chosen but Free: A Balanced View of God’s Sovereignty and Free Will, Minneapolis: Bethany House, 2010. Print.
Renault, Alexander. Reconsidering Tulip: A Biblical, Philosophical, and Historical Response to the Reformed Doctrines of Predestination, Morrisville: Lulu Press, 2010. Print.