SOVEREIGNTY & FREE WILL

Can We Ever Understand

Solving this question would unleash a stranglehold on the modern day church. Many of our daily biblical teachings are based from our fundamental view of this question.

There are too many denominations and splinter groups that will not work together. Predestination and the Free Will are two basic issues that shape our approach to everything within the ministry of the Gospel.

As we Pray for Unity in the Church we need to be comfortable laying down some of our dearly held theological positions.

PREDESTINATION

The belief that God has already determined who will be saved and that he has a specific plan for everyone.

The question is exactly how much control do people have over their own salvation and eternal destinies.

FREE WILL Suggests that individuals are capable of making choices that are not predetermined by God or any other force. This means people can choose their actions, such as whether to do good or bad, and whether to believe in God or not.

THREE THEOLOGICAL VIEWS

Calvinism

This theological perspective, based on the teachings of John Calvin, emphasizes God's sovereignty and predestination. Calvinists believe that God's will is ultimately decisive in the salvation of individuals, but they also affirm that human choices are real and meaningful, even if they are part of God's sovereign plan. Human choice is already known by God and he causes us to accept Him.

Arminianism

In contrast to Calvinism, Arminianism, based on the teachings of Jacobus Arminius, emphasizes free will. Arminians believe that God’s gruace enables human beings to choose or reject salvation, allowing for genuine free will within God’s plan.

Molinism

A theology named after the 16th-century Spanish Jesuit theologian Luis de Molina.

This view attempts to reconcile God's sovereignty and human free will. Molinists believe that God has middle knowledge, meaning He knows all possible outcomes and scenarios, including human choices, and His plan incorporates these choices without overriding free will. It can be said that God knows but he doesn’t cause.

THE COMPLEX QUESTION

The relationships between free will and predestination are difficult to understand. ESSENTIALLY THERE IS NO DEFINITIVE RESOLUTION.

If you are honest with yourself and others, all conclusions are evasive. Most so called resolutions are a massive use of twisted biblical verses. These are most often from obscure texts. Throw in a little Greek and Hebrew with a touch of Cultural Context and there you have it.

Christian traditions have let our Theology become a major source of division within the Family of God.

Most Denominations were formed out of these kinds of conflicts. The Body of Christ is not connected. The Believers in His Church are not working harmoniously together.

In the light of John 17 Jesus prayed that they may be one as the Father and I are one. It would seem he foreknew that the Body of Christ would divide over simple issues like this. We have to face the reality that the Body of Christ must have Faith in God and then trust one another to find the Ways of God.

CONCLUSION

-PREDESTINATION-

-FREE WILL-

The Tension

-Each view has biblical roots

-We are too proud of our views

-Can we humble ourselves

There are many other Biblical Tensions that ultimately require faith.

Conflicting Theologies

-Calvinism

-Arminianism

-Molinism

Biblical positions that have no definitive conclusion require Faith. Trust has to be the final resting place for our limited understanding.

REFERENCES:

(Sovereignty)

Ephesians 1:4-5

4 For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love 5 He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will.

(Free Will)

Deuteronomy 30:19 - Choose life, so that you and your descendants may live

FINAL THOUGHT

ALL THEOLOGY MUST BE

BUILT ON WHAT WE

UNDERSTAND ABOUT

THE NATURE OF

GOD AS HE WORKS

IN THE HEART

OF ORDINARY MAN

2 Peter 3:9

God is patient and does not want anyone to perish, but instead wants everyone to have eternal life.