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Predestination versus Free Will
Shariee Jones
Barclay College
Original: December 15, 2012
1Revised: February 22, 2016
Predestination versus Free Will
Introduction
Does the Bible encourage us to use our free will to choose good over evil or are we predestined to our fate? “Predestination is the sovereign determination and foreknowledge of God.” Free will is “the belief that human behavior is self-caused… The idea of free will assumes that there are no external causes sufficient to explain why a person acts as he or she does.” (Grenz, Guretzki & Nordling p.54, p.94) “The Bible clearly indicates that both predestination and free will are in operation.” Regardless of what is clearly stated, many theologians and philosophers have debated this topic throughout history. (Deem) It is what our spirit believes to be that makes freedom or enslavement possible to ourselves as well as others. In this essay we will explore the issues that have plagued the understanding of what God meant for humanity.
Calvinism versus Arminianism
James Arminius, a Dutch theologian and pastor, “taught that predestination was based on God’s foreknowledge in seeing whether an individual would freely accept or reject Christ.” His system of theology stated that “salvation is freely chosen” and “it could be freely lost” as opposed to Calvinists’ views. (Grenz, Guretzki & Nordling p. 15) Followers of John Calvin believe in ‘double predestination’ that some was predestined to eternal death and some to eternal life. “In Calvinist theory the doctrine of predestination more specifically holds that God has from all eternity chosen specific people to bring into eternal communion with himself.” (Grenz, Guretzki & Nordling p. 94) They also, believed that “only those who are elected to salvation will be saved.” (McGrath 4th ed., p.377) Outlined by the Synod of Dort (1618-1619) was the Five Point of Calvinism that summarized “the five central principles of Reformed soteriology.” (McGrath p.368) The five central principles go by the term TULIP: total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, irresistible grace and the perseverance of the saints. (Grenz, Guretzki & Nordling p.23)
After investigating the positions of both Calvinism and Arminianism, one could see the debate of the nature of sin, grace, and salvation clearly. The debate over the issues in the state of humanity didn’t begin with them but continued with their perception on sin and the sinless. Even though Calvin and Arminius presented some great arguments, it is their followers that made their theories more believable and missional. If there was a choice in the matter, Arminius should win based on the likeness of Augustine and Pelagius positions on freewill and predestination. The double predestination lives in all of us because we are a fallen creation. To deny life is to not know life and Calvin only got the sovereignty of God right. Humanity as a whole is a chosen race but fell to death because of the conditions of Adam that existed before regeneration. The Bible states, “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants…” (Deuteronomy 30:19) Obviously, following this advice requires free will and the ability to choose. So, the Bible indicates pretty clearly that we are to make choices. If everything is predestined, then choice is not possible. (Deem)
Pelagianism versus Augustinianism
St. Augustine of Hippo believed that “human freedom does not do things as a matter of necessity, but as a matter of freedom. Free will really does exist: it is, however, distorted, compromised, and weakened by sin.” Augustine believed that God must be free to give or withhold grace… All of humanity is contaminated by sin. Only grace can set humanity free and “redeemed in the presence of God in Christ within the believer.” (p.354) “Grace is a gift, not a reward.” Human free will exist and is weakened but not destroyed. (McGrath p.351, 365) Pelagianism upheld the total freedom of the human will while denying the sovereignty of God. Pelagianism was introduced by three philosophers in Rome: Caelestius and Rufinus of Syria as well as Pelagius. (McGrath p.351) Pelagius believed that there is no need for divine grace. Free will can be restored by grace because it is external. (p.352) Humanity was born sinless, and sins only through deliberate actions. (p.353) “Humanity is able to avoid sin through following the teaching and example of Christ.” (p.354) He believed that God knows what humanity is capable of doing and provided instruction for us on what is “right and wrong.” (McGarth p.352, p.354)
Augustine believed that in divine election some are called and some are in contempt. He stated that we can’t question the wisdom of God. He believed that the ones to be saved are above human understanding and only predestine for honor whereas condemnation is ruled out of God’s work. God does not predestine us to fall. Calvinism, however believe that some are predestined to condemnation. Augustine believed that humanity can be redeemed by grace. (McGrath 4th ed., p. 350-352) Augustine denies freedom from sin but Pelagius doesn’t. In Pelagius case, the freedom of humanity can be achieved by being responsible and upholding the commands given by God. He stated that instead of receiving punishment we should seek salvation in Christ. (McGrath 4th ed., p.354-55) Concerning Pelagius, it is possible that he focused on humans’ responsibility to avoid sin, but if unavoidable God has provided us grace through Christ. (McGrath 4th ed., p.355-56) “We are justified by faith, not by works. The death of Jesus made peace with God. Sin came to the world by one man, Adam. Salvation comes by one man, the new Adam, Jesus Christ.” (Nettelhorst p.216, Romans Ch.5) Christ is necessary in every aspect of our life and it is necessary for the Holy Spirit to be working at all times. We have to activate it by accepting its existences because of the severity of the human condition.
The Severity of Sin
Augustine believed that sinners are very ill and unable to diagnose and cure themselves… it’s a hereditary disease. (McGrath p.352) Pelagius believed that sin can be avoided altogether through grace. He believed that “humanity is born sinless, and sins only through deliberate actions.” (p. 354) “The Bible presents sin as both fallen humanity’s state of separation and alienation from God as a person’s purposeful disobedience to God’s will as evidenced in concrete thought or act.” Sin is universal and inherited “both corporate and individual.” (Grenz, Guretzki & Nordling p.107)
If we break the law of God then we have sinned and have separated ourselves from Him. That separation brings death and any born after the Fall is predestined to that death but has the opportunity to be saved. In the Bible it states that “all have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God.” (Isaiah 52:9, Romans 3:23, James 1:15) These scriptures give evidence of the sovereign God but He gives us an opportunity to redeem ourselves through accepting His grace. (BibleInfo.com)
“Do human beings have free will or are their lives predestined? In the Bible, God appears powerful and in complete control of all that happens. He is able to predict the future with certainty, turning events precisely as he desires. But human beings are held responsible for their actions and are frequently told to make choices. Proverbs 16:9 suggests that God’s power is expressed through the free actions of human beings. God is powerful, but he has chosen for people to be free. ‘In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.’ (Proverbs 16:9) God is the only one really in control. People may think their motives are pure, they may believe they’re doing the right thing, but most of the time they’re just fooling themselves. (Nettelhorst p. 139) This supports Pelagius theory on free will and predestination with Arminius and Augustine at a near likeliness and only Calvin’s support for the sovereignty of God over humanity as well as the fact that salvation can’t be earned. Salvation is a gift.
In Plato’s Timaeus on Chaos and Order believes that it is the natural set up of things… believed that God created order out of chaos and only good from it. It is us, not God, who has perverted our lifeline but the conditions of our ancestors that has tainted every tribe and every corner of the earth. “To the extent that the world can be seen to display rational structure, we can understand it as being the work of Reason; to the extent that it is embodied in materials which constrain reason and make failures possible, we have to take into account the effects of what Plato calls Necessity, the way things just have to be, whether there is a good reason for it or not.” (Annas p.125-6) “The real world is what we grasp in thought… and it matters not just what [we] do but what [we] believe…” Plato believed that everything is pre-calculated and that is a possible base for predestination for God to know our sin but our thoughts God gave free for all human to choose what is right and what is wrong in order to be redeemed. (Annas p.129) Once, God realized that we couldn’t save ourselves, He came to Earth to redeem all of humanity, given us a choice once again to accept His grace.
Receiving Grace
We were slaves to sin because we fail to follow the instructions of God. We are predestined as a chosen people but this knowledge was withheld from us because of the sinful nature that we have. God saw this and gave us an opportunity to redeem ourselves by receiving His grace. Jesus became the incarnational God so that we can live the incarnational Spirit. Jesus stated “I do not call you servants anymore. Servants do not know their master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends. I have told you everything I learned from my Father. You did not choose me. Instead, I chose you. I appointed you to go and bear fruit. It is fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name.” (John 15:15-16)
Salvation comes through grace—it is a gift from God. Bible states, “for it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) Everyone can receive the grace of Christ, which develops grace inside the receiver. Grace is not a license to sin, but power unto salvation and righteousness. In the grace of Christ lies power and strength. The Bible states, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed.” (Romans 3:23-25) God’s grace makes our salvation possible. “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” (Ephesians 1:7-8) God’s grace is patient and in a position to save all through acceptance of the salvation of Christ. (BibleInfo.com)
The Effect of Salvation
Under the old law “in the Temple, sacrifices must be offered regularly for sin. But the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is a onetime sacrifice that covers all sin forever.” (Nettelhorst p. 237, Hebrews Ch.9) Pelagius believed that humanity is justified by its merits, whereas Augustine believed that it is justified through the promise of grace. (McGrath p. 354-55) The Bible states “for many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14) Humanity was the chosen people until we fell, so Jesus came to redeem us as the chosen people again. He died for us all because through Jesus, the Word, we exist and have life. The Bible states, “for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Through Jesus’s death we are no longer separated from God and through salvation we receive eternal life when we enter into a personal relationship with God. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) We must repent from our sins and acknowledge our sinful state. We accept upon confession the gift of God and are able to be ordained in and by the Holy Spirit. (BibleInfo.com)
Conclusion
It’s a possibility that sin is “done by us, and not born in us” in agreement with Pelagius. With respect to Augustine, we are contaminated by being born into our inheritance of the sin that already existed within this world. We need the salvation and grace that Christ gives. Even the predestined has fallen because of the state the world is in that places conditions on humanity. Pelagius and Augustine’s views on predestination and freewill can be defended, but the views of Calvin’s elected people should be objected because we all fall short of God’s glory. In the case of Calvinism, it is up to church leaders to preach the covenant of life to all equally instead of withholding knowledge. If God has given any foreknowledge it is to teach the ones deprived of not knowing life. Arminius might be on to something when he stated that, “predestination was based on God’s foreknowledge in seeing whether an individual would freely accept or reject Christ.” If so then there is no separation of predestination or free will. God’s grace is evident of this if Jesus is to be the Word in the beginning. Jesus provided the Gospel and salvation to all who was willing to accept it. We should continue His legacy and do the same. (McGrath 4th ed., p. 357, p. 375, Grenz, Guretzki & Nordling p.15)
Reference
Annas, Julia. (2003). Plato: A Brief Insight. Sterling Publishing, Inc.: New York, NY
Grenz, Stanley J., Guretzki, David & Nordling, Cherith (1999). Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
McGrath, Alister E. (2011).4th Ed. Christian Theology Reader. Malden, Ma & United Kingdom: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
McGrath, Alister E. (2011).5th Ed. Christian Theology: an Introduction. Malden, Ma & United Kingdom: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Nettelhorst, R.P. (2011). The Bible: A Reader’s Guide. Metro Book: New York, NY
BibleInfo.com. Entry word: Grace. Retrieved on 2012, December 13 from http://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/grace
BibleInfo.com. Entry word: Salvation. Retrieved on 2012, December 13 from http://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/salvation
Deem, Richard. Predestination versus Freewill-is It One or the Other. Retrieved on 2012, December 13 from http://www.godandscience.org/doctrine/predestination.html
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1This was revised only for errors. Nothing was added or taken away from its original content.
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