Do we have free-will?

[hisgrace26]

If God knows the future, then nothing I do will change His mind. Does this means that free-will doesn't play a role in our life, or is it? Why wouldn't it be? I just don't understand. I know I have a free-will. I am here because i choose to be here. Just because God knows the future, what does have to do with me having free-will? So where is the error in this logic that we dont have free-will?

 

[ivebeenshown]

If God knows the future, then nothing I do will change His mind.

True, God knows all and is unchanging.

Does this means that free-will doesn't play a role in our life, or is it?Just because God knows the future, what does have to do with me having free-will? So where is the error in this logic that we dont have free-will?

That God knows our every action for any point in time does not in itself necessitate that God 'scripted' our actions.

I am here because i choose to be here.

Well, kind of.

 

[daydreamergurl15]

If God knows the future, then nothing I do will change His mind. Does this means that free-will doesn't play a role in our life, or is it? Why wouldn't it be? I just don't understand. I know I have a free-will. I am here because i choose to be here. Just because God knows the future, what does have to do with me having free-will? So where is the error in this logic that we dont have free-will?

The "knowing" is not the "causing".

 

[BrotherBob]

Let's start with a definitions of what "free" will is:

The freedom to make choices that are not determined by prior causes or by divine intervention.- Webster's ninth new collegiate dictionary.

 

[ThatWhichIsnt]

We have a will, but it is the furthest thing from free.

 

[Walter Kovacs]

There's a few different things that must be noted here:

Do we have 'free will,' as in the ability to choose to do A or B? To an extant, yes, all humans have that sort of free will. We are rational, cognitive creatures who do make choices.

Do we have pure libertarian free will? IE, can we literally choose to do anything we want regardless of outside influences? No. Example:

1. I can choose to eat sushi.
2. I hate, hate, hate, beyond all reason, hate sushi.
3. Can I really choose to eat sushi?

Do we have a moral free will? Yes. Anyone can perform moral or immoral acts.

Do we have spiritual free will? No. Before Christ, we are dead in sins (though this does not mean we are evil, merely that we cannot come to God on our own terms. Even an atheist is capable of being a moral, nice guy.) After Christ, we are slaves to righteousness; neither option requires a real ontological freedom of the will.

So to answer the question, yes and no.

 

[elopez]

If God knows the future, then nothing I do will change His mind. Does this means that free-will doesn't play a role in our life, or is it? Why wouldn't it be? I just don't understand. I know I have a free-will. I am here because i choose to be here. Just because God knows the future, what does have to do with me having free-will? So where is the error in this logic that we dont have free-will?

Not only by God having exhaustive foreknowledge does He not need to change His mind by something we do, but we could do nothing other than what God foreknows. That still means we have free will but just not the free will defined as libertarianism since it says free will means we must have the ability to act contrary to how we originally acted. God's foreknowledge only conflicts with free will if it is defined in the libertarian view, so as it could be shown that such an idea of free will is misleading that would be the error. Free will should be understood in light of divine foreknowledge which carries a different meaning of the word than that of libertarianism.

Free will in this sense means the ability to act how we want without any external or internal factors preventing or forcing us to act. Free will also means the ability to comprehend our reasons and motives for acting so as to warrant moral responsibility. This way free will is compatible with determinism as the foreknowledge of God is deterministic.

 

[Noxot]

if free will does not exist, then there is no reason for me to need salvation.

 

[New_Wineskin]

Let's start with a definitions of what "free" will is:

The freedom to make choices that are not determined by prior causes or by divine intervention.- Webster's ninth new collegiate dictionary.

That is interesting given that all choices are made with prior causes - past experiences and present circumstances that make the person who they are and make available the choices to be made .

 

[Tangible]

If God knows the future, then nothing I do will change His mind. Does this means that free-will doesn't play a role in our life, or is it? Why wouldn't it be? I just don't understand. I know I have a free-will. I am here because i choose to be here. Just because God knows the future, what does have to do with me having free-will? So where is the error in this logic that we dont have free-will?

When it comes to spiritual matters, matters of faith in Christ, no we do not have free will. From conception we are sinful by nature and are incapable of choosing to be saved. But even if we could, it is not we who do the choosing but God alone who saves.

plethora of supporting scripture available upon request.

 

[cubinity]

if free will does not exist, then there is no reason for me to need salvation.

 

[Chris81]

8gayo2q "I have no will" adslhkhgl,4wuo8whsn

 

[cubinity]

8gayo2q "I have no will" adslhkhgl,4wuo8whsn

Fascinating.

 

[Tangible]

if free will does not exist, then there is no reason for me to need salvation.

This saying is opaque to me. Please clarify.

 

[Noxot]

This saying is opaque to me. Please clarify.

God is not Love if free will does not exist.

is it so hard to understand that God does not want anyone to perish, but rather for them to choose life? do you think God goes "awww shucks, they can't pick me and so I will make them burn in hell forever!"


it is an utter blasphemy to think that God only cares about certain humans. go ahead and try to show that God does not care about everyone and does not want them all to be saved.

and if angels have no will then how is it that they fall? God Himself says that he gave no one permission to sin.

if we do not have free will then it means that God is to blame for our sins.

 

[ThatWhichIsnt]

if free will does not exist, then there is no reason for me to need salvation.

That makes no sense.

 

[ThatWhichIsnt]

God is not Love if free will does not exist.

is it so hard to understand that God does not want anyone to perish, but rather for them to choose life? do you think God goes "awww shucks, they can't pick me and so I will make them burn in hell forever!"


it is an utter blasphemy to think that God only cares about certain humans. go ahead and try to show that God does not care about everyone and does not want them all to be saved.

and if angels have no will then how is it that they fall? God Himself says that he gave no one permission to sin.

if we do not have free will then it means that God is to blame for our sins.

1. Some angels were destined to fall. Paul actually uses the term "elect angels".
2.The bolded part is wrong. We, man, are totally to blame for our sins and trespasses. We have all sinned, and we all deserve to suffer the consequences for our sins. God, desiring to show His great love and mercy, saved some for salvation. He did what man NEVER could.

Your knowledge on election is misguided. It is okay, most people are the same way.

Ask yourself one question, is man totally depraved? Everything else hinges on your answer of this question.

 

[Zecryphon]

if free will does not exist, then there is no reason for me to need salvation.

Yes there is, your sinful nature that you are born with and which separates you from God.

 

[bling]

If God knows the future, then nothing I do will change His mind. Does this means that free-will doesn't play a role in our life, or is it? Why wouldn't it be? I just don't understand. I know I have a free-will. I am here because i choose to be here. Just because God knows the future, what does have to do with me having free-will? So where is the error in this logic that we dont have free-will?

How does God know your future? If God knows what free will moral decision you made yesterday and sends that information back through a wormhole to Himself earlier, He would know your "future" but that is your future and not really God's future. Is it fair to restrict God to our time frame?

 

[hisgrace26]

How does God know your future? If God knows what free will moral decision you made yesterday and sends that information back through a wormhole to Himself earlier, He would know your "future" but that is your future and not really God's future. Is it fair to restrict God to our time frame?

Would it matter if you choose God or not? Your chioce does not effect God down he road. Your free will does not effect God's decision.