The Question of Free Will

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The concept of predestination versus free will is a pretty straightforward one, right? Well, not really. For example, we know that the fall eventually resulted in free will for humanity. However, let's say the fall was already destined to happen. What then? The result would be us obtaining free will through a preordained event. That's the kicker. If our free will was caused by an event that was already set to happen, do we really have free will? Or are our lives already determined even before we're born? Do we really have control over our lives, or is it simply the illusion of choice?

Let's also say that the fall was not predestined. That would call into question the very omnipotence of God. For how could an event surprise our all-knowing God? But such an event would be the only way of us having true free will. So I pose the question again: do we really have control, or is it all an illusion?

(I swear I'm not a heretic)

Edit: Commented on Madison Flowers' and Rachael Gregson's posts

Comments

Rebecca Belew said…
The final question is an interesting gripper and really gets the mind going on just how this whole "free will v. predestination" thing actually works. I enjoyed the argument from both sides and the acknowledgement that no one will ever truly know on this side of Heaven. It was a great reminder of our limited minds compared to the omnipotence of Christ.
September 9, 2019 at 7:01 AM
Spencer St. Cyr said…
I'm not meaning to offend, but this whole idea is fundamentally wrong. The fall did not grant us free will. There has been free will since the moment of man's creation. That's why God gave the command to not eat the fruit. That's why the fall happened in the first place... Because there was a conscious decision made by both Adam and Eve. While God had foreknowledge of what would happen, He did not make the decision for them.
September 9, 2019 at 6:18 PM
Joshua Evers said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
September 9, 2019 at 6:20 PM
Joshua Evers said…
That's a very interesting post! Regardless of whether someone argues for Free Will or Predestination, it's important to not get caught up in the jargon. God created us as human beings with the ability to make real decisions that affect the world in which we live. However, at the same time, God is also sovereign and aware of absolutely everything and nothing can thwart his will as Job 42:2 states. We can take comfort that nothing escapes God's reach and our majestic and almighty God is in control of all of creation, both before and after the Fall of Man.
September 9, 2019 at 6:28 PM
Drew Hedden said…
Simply going off your last phrase, my first thoughts go straight to Descartes and one of his more intriguing questions- is life an illusion? He addresses this while pointing out that one can't tell the difference whether they are awake or dreaming. It's pretty wild stuff and I can't say that I understand it very well. With that said, I think your other questions are simplified when one goes off the understanding that God doesn't just know the past, present, and future. It's key that He also knows each and every possibility of every action. That then leans towards free will. Personally, I don't know if there's an ultimate "either-or" when it comes to free will and election. Obviously there has to be truth, and it's decidedly one way or the other when it comes to salvation (probably, but don't quote me on that), but what about the rest of life? Humanity and the world simply operate, and I don't think that free will and predestination can't coexist at times. It's very likely that I'm wrong, but I don't believe that we are really quite made to understand. It just makes God all that much more omniscient and powerful.
September 9, 2019 at 6:49 PM
Spencer Wood said…
This seems familiar...
I do agree that the conversation of free-will vs. predestined salvation is slippery. But in the long-run, it doesn't matter. Where people get messed up is continuing to argue this point. If we keep arguing, then the only result will be disunity among the church. And that is not what Christ wants for His bride.
September 9, 2019 at 6:50 PM
Devin Monasterio said…
Is christianity real or just an illusion?

Logan, you can make that argument for simply anything and end up digging your own grave of insanity for what is true or not. Also, are you trying to argue against yourself on the understanding of predestination vs free will? I would say that it isn't in question that God may not be omnipotent just because there may or may have not been free will within the fall neither is God surprised by the fall if it wasn't predestined. I believe in free will and a God that is outside of time; knowing our actions, choices, and ways before they occur. So, with that saying...its all in your understanding of scripture first and not digging a hole of destruction for something you cannot comprehend (for we are not made to understand the all powerful, all knowing creator.) With all “deep” understanding of God, we cannot make him out to be small, but understanding first His power...that’s how I myself fell out of the destructing pit of this debate and also doubt. Soon there will be something else that I cannot grasp and will have to come to His terms of power and wonder.
September 10, 2019 at 7:26 AM
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