Center for Biblical Theology and Eschatology
Is Man's Will Free?
by Thomas R. Thompson
To state Erasmus's false definition clearer, man is free to choose
or reject the gospel on his own unaided by the Holy Spirit.
Any Christian worth his salt knows that without the Holy Spirit illuminating
the Gospel, no one would get saved. But how much illumination is necessary?
Reformers taught total illumination was necessary.
I'm convinced anything short of the above is another gospel.
If I had free-will, I would be free from my bent on sinning. For
those that think they have a 'free-will', let them prove it by the
evidence of never sinning again.
I can relate to
I have thoughts from my past sinful life that keep popping up over
and over in my mind. I have no control over these, yet I wage war
on them with
Only death ceases sin!
Thus Christians will be plagued with sin until they die.
Understanding the correct nature of our problem liberates the soul
from false bondage. If any teach it is technically possible for a
Christian to live on this earth without sinning, they bring the hearer
under unnecessary bondage, and they prove they know not of how man's
nature was affected by the fall.
Spurgeon makes an excellent point concerning man loosing all ability
to judge between right and wrong. Just pick up a newspaper and you
will have all the evidence you need. And a Christian need only reflect
on his own life to find similar evidences.
Amen!
This is the question that separates a grace religion from a works
religion. Many in the church today will amen Erasmus's definition
of free-will.
Moreover, I conceive of 'free-will' in this context as a power of
the human will by which a man may apply himself to those things that
lead to eternal salvation, or turn away from the same.[The Bondage
of the Will, Martin Luther, translated by J.I. Packer & O.R. Johnston,Fleming
H. Revell, pg 137]
For no man on earth, unless imbued with the Holy Ghost, ever in his
heart knows of, or believes in, or longs for, eternal salvation, even
if he harps upon it by tongue and pen.[Ibid pg 140]
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into
the grace of Christ unto another gospel: [Galatians 1:6]
Saul's Free-will
And take the case of Paul, when he was Saul--what did he do with
all the power of his 'free-will'? Certainly, if his state of mind
be regarded, his heart was set on what was best and highest. But
look at the endeavour whereby he found grace! Not only did he not
seek grace, but he received it through his own mad fury against it!
[Ibid pg 301]
I wish I had Free-will
For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not;
but what I hate, that do I. [Romans 7:15]
...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever
things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there
be any praise, think on these things. [Phil 4:8]
Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves
likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath
ceased from sin; [1 Peter 4:1]
..his will lost its power always to choose that which is good, his
judgment lost all ability to judge between right and wrong decidedly
and infallibly, though something was retained in conscience; his memory
became tainted, liable to hold evil things, and let righteous things
glide away. [Free Will-- A Slave, The New Park Street Pulpit Vol 1.,
C. H. Spurgeon, Baker, pg 396]
Luther on Free-will