Some Thoughts on Free Will and Predestination

In my last theological discussion the subject was Pharaoh. I attempted to answer this question: "Did God force Pharaoh to do the things he did?" The answer to that question was "no". At all times Pharaoh was able to choose. Today we will discuss some further thoughts on Free Will and Predestination.

A little groundwork is necessary:

We should know that man is a limited creature. Our knowledge is limited. Our time on this earth is limited. We are part of a finite universe. This does not mean we are completely helpless. On the contrary, God created us to work within the confines of this world. We are designed with intelligence to be able to understand nature and work within it. "Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness and let them rule...." (Gen 1:26)

To say I am a completely free agent is incorrect. I cannot do just anything. For example: What if I go crazy one day. I grab my wallet, jump in my car and drive off to Las Vegas. There I drop all my money on the tables and wind up flat broke. I find out pretty quick I really can't do whatever I want. I can do until my credit and cash is used up and my car is out of gas. After that, I starve and I walk. My world is limited to what my own intelligence, energy and opportunity present.

Is it too much of a stretch to suggest I also have some limited choice when it comes to spiritual matters? More on this in a moment. Next we should consider that God limits Himself in His work on Earth. This does not mean that God is limited. He purposefully works this way in order to gain greater glory. God performed miracles in the past like the parting of the Red Sea. Jesus also carried out miracles during His ministry here. Yet today we do not see those same types of actions; even though God reserves the right to them at any time. God has chosen to primarily work through several means - The lives of believers, the Scriptures, and the Church.

I have a small problem with the Calvinistic teaching of Unconditional Election. That would be that God picks who He wants to be saved. I believe we do have some (perhaps very small) choice in the matter. For two reasons:

First: The language suggests so. When Peter was preaching on the day of Pentecost his listeners were so convicted they did not wait for the invitation. They yelled at Peter and the others: "Brethren, what shall we do?" Peter's reply: "Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ...." We also know he continued to preach to them. The word Repent means to change your thinking. That requires an act of will. A decision has to be made. Later, in Acts 16 we have the Philippian Jailer kneeling at Paul's feet. "What must I do to be saved?", he cried. Paul's reply: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shall be saved." Again, belief implies an act of will. All the language of the New Testament whether it be preaching, personal testimony, or written Epistle is presented as if the individual must make a decision concerning Christ.

Second: God gets greater glory. There is some criticism from Calvinist teaching that if we do have a choice somehow we are in collaboration with God for our salvation. This can become a point of pride. In effect we are agents of our own salvation. Let me ask a few leading questions: Who created the World? Who created us? Who created this wonderful Plan of Salvation? Who applied this Plan consistentenly throughout history? Who sent His Son to die on die on the cross? Who demonstrated His Power by resurrection from the dead? Who convicts us about the need for salvation? Who saves us? Who seals our souls forever?

Where in all this is any point of pride on my part? Nowhere. It is all because of Him. The thought question I would like to present is this: Does God achieve greater glory because He picked certain individuals for salvation? Or: If He so constructs His message that everyone must make a choice, in their own limited way, to accept Him?