Can We Really Exercise Free Will?

[Jordon]

What were you saying before, something about a sword.

here just for you mam, all enabling oracle's placed on the heart when spoken directly into the heart, no doubt when God angles appointed to every new born child are staring back in the face of God

Joel 2:13

render your heart and not your garments, and turn to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love

1 Peter 5:7:
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you,

Whilst where on the subject what free will did his people have when God said I will write my statutes upon there hearts.


James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God".


James 4:10
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up


All these verses are enabling encouragement from God.

And no doubt when God has spoken these messages directly in the hearts of all the fallen that either they have accepted or not.

No doubt needed to spoken in the hearts of the fallen seeing as it took 40 generations for Jesus to come through the line of David.

Here's a gift to you mam enjoy

 

[Magenta]

I haven't heard Sproul on the subject, but I have heard many reformed speakers say as much. If God, indeed, works all things to the good of those that love Him, from God's perspective there are no tragedies. That doesn't mean we don't experience pain or mourn with those who mourn. It simply means God is so much more grand in His perspective and actions than some are want to consider.

Free willers exalt themselves and so they cannot see themselves as the worst of sinners
as Paul described himself (since man is not such a bad guy in their view, which is part of
what makes them Pelagian heretics) or even as grass as the Bible says we are. Heavens
to Betsy, they are much greater than grass in their minds. After all they were wise enough
to choose with their incurably wicked heart the very thing Scripture says they cannot.

Isaiah 40 v 6B-8 All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall when the breath of the LORD blows on them; indeed, the people are grass. The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.

 

[studier]

Acts 13:48 Explanation

Greek: ὅσοι ἦσαν τεταγμένοι εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον ἐπίστευσαν

• Verb form: pluperfect periphrastic passive (ἦσαν τεταγμένοι - êsan tetagménoi)
  • Indicates a state existing in time prior to the believing event, emphasizing the person’s condition or readiness rather than a one-time act or formal decree.
  • Observation: In Luke-Acts, the pluperfect is always applied to things situated in temporal history and never to eternal decree.
  • Observation: The pluperfect periphrastic in context shows that those Gentiles had already been in a state of receptivity before Paul proclaimed the Gospel in Antioch, and this disposition persisted as they heard and responded.

Lexical and BDAG sense:

• Τάσσω (tassō),
  • BDAG 1.b = “arrange, put in place, order”
  • Not BDAG 2 (“appoint, decree”)
• Passive participle frequently describes state, arrangement, or disposition in Luke-Acts and the NT. This is consistent with historical Greek usage:
  • Josephus (Antiquities 18.184; War 6.100) – people “disposed for peace/battle”
  • Plutarch (Moralia 785C) – “soul being badly disposed”
  • Athenagoras, Testament of Job – elements, troops, or people “arranged/placed”
• Observation: In Luke-Acts and the NT, tassō is never used to describe an eternal decree; it is always applied to things situated in temporal history.

Context:

• Luke’s narrative emphasizes human responsiveness to the Gospel. Paul proclaims the Gospel to Jews and God-Fearers and proselytes in the synagogue who had been taught from the Hebrew Scriptures (Acts13:15-16 and Acts13:42-43).
• The quotation of Isaiah 49:6 in Acts 13:47 (“I have made you a light for the Gentiles…”) frames their response as part of God’s historical plan unfolding. This suggests that the hearers were both disposed and that Luke presents the Gospel as the fulfillment of a planned historical movement, where God’s providence works through human readiness without overriding it.

Translation nuance:

• “Disposed / ready / prepared for eternal life” captures the Greek meaning of existing arrangement/state and aligns with BDAG sense 1.b.
• Alternatives such as “appointed,” “ordained,” or “preordained” are lexically possible, but they can give the impression of an eternal decree - something the grammar, narrative context, and BDAG’s classification do not support.

Summary:

Acts 13:48 describes Gentiles who were already arranged/disposed toward eternal life at the moment of hearing the Gospel and remained disposed after hearing it. Luke emphasizes their receptive state and situates it within the unfolding of Isaiah’s prophecy, showing how God’s providence works through human readiness rather than imposing an eternal predestining decree. The pluperfect periphrastic passive of tetagmenoi reinforces this sense of past, temporal readiness, then belief consistent with both the usage of tassō and Luke’s historical narrative and with Gospel + Spirit Conviction > Choose to Believe > Saved.

 

[Magenta]

pluperfect periphrastic passive

sounds spastic

prepared for eternal life

Who prepared them? Did they circumcise their own hearts?

 

[Cameron143]

So all means all here. Good to know.

See in the determinist camp these "tragedies" are caused by God, Romans 8:28 does not state God causes evil things to happen.

The point is that this little girl according to Sproul Jr. earned her judgment from God, meaning God determined this to happen to her.

The reformed faith believes God is the first cause of all things given that God in creation began all things. This doesn't make God responsible for the actions of that which He has created. God allowing for things doesn't make Him culpable.

In this particular case, neither you or I know what is true of the individual. Subsequently, we are unfit to judge. God isn't unfit to judge. I will admit it would be insensitive to have said such things to grieving family members, but if the setting is a reformed conference on divine judgment, he's simply presenting his view on it. Vitriol isn't necessary part of the message. When Jesus told the crowd that unless they repent they would also perish after people were killed from a falling tower, was He being hateful and insensitive? Or was it a teachable moment?

 

[Jordon]

Back to the "you don't understand."

whilst where on the subject of understanding

Can I get your thoughts on what it means by God's word is alive and active

 

[cv5]

That is your god alright.

The author of both good and evil, hate and love, in equal measure.

R. C. Sproul would be proud.

“God wills all things that come to pass…God desired for man to fall into sin. I am not accusing God of sinning; I am suggesting that God created sin.” R.C. Sproul Jr., Almighty Over All (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1999), 54

And 100 more like this.....

 

[cv5]

Acts 13:48 Explanation

Greek: ὅσοι ἦσαν τεταγμένοι εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον ἐπίστευσαν

• Verb form: pluperfect periphrastic passive (ἦσαν τεταγμένοι - êsan tetagménoi)
  • Indicates a state existing in time prior to the believing event, emphasizing the person’s condition or readiness rather than a one-time act or formal decree.
  • Observation: In Luke-Acts, the pluperfect is always applied to things situated in temporal history and never to eternal decree.
  • Observation: The pluperfect periphrastic in context shows that those Gentiles had already been in a state of receptivity before Paul proclaimed the Gospel in Antioch, and this disposition persisted as they heard and responded.

Lexical and BDAG sense:

• Τάσσω (tassō),
  • BDAG 1.b = “arrange, put in place, order”
  • Not BDAG 2 (“appoint, decree”)
• Passive participle frequently describes state, arrangement, or disposition in Luke-Acts and the NT. This is consistent with historical Greek usage:
  • Josephus (Antiquities 18.184; War 6.100) – people “disposed for peace/battle”
  • Plutarch (Moralia 785C) – “soul being badly disposed”
  • Athenagoras, Testament of Job – elements, troops, or people “arranged/placed”
• Observation: In Luke-Acts and the NT, tassō is never used to describe an eternal decree; it is always applied to things situated in temporal history.

Context:

• Luke’s narrative emphasizes human responsiveness to the Gospel. Paul proclaims the Gospel to Jews and God-Fearers and proselytes in the synagogue who had been taught from the Hebrew Scriptures (Acts13:15-16 and Acts13:42-43).
• The quotation of Isaiah 49:6 in Acts 13:47 (“I have made you a light for the Gentiles…”) frames their response as part of God’s historical plan unfolding. This suggests that the hearers were both disposed and that Luke presents the Gospel as the fulfillment of a planned historical movement, where God’s providence works through human readiness without overriding it.

Translation nuance:

• “Disposed / ready / prepared for eternal life” captures the Greek meaning of existing arrangement/state and aligns with BDAG sense 1.b.
• Alternatives such as “appointed,” “ordained,” or “preordained” are lexically possible, but they can give the impression of an eternal decree - something the grammar, narrative context, and BDAG’s classification do not support.

Summary:

Acts 13:48 describes Gentiles who were already arranged/disposed toward eternal life at the moment of hearing the Gospel and remained disposed after hearing it. Luke emphasizes their receptive state and situates it within the unfolding of Isaiah’s prophecy, showing how God’s providence works through human readiness rather than imposing an eternal predestining decree. The pluperfect periphrastic passive of tetagmenoi reinforces this sense of past, temporal readiness, then belief consistent with both the usage of tassō and Luke’s historical narrative and with Gospel + Spirit Conviction > Choose to Believe > Saved.

I will post something on προορίζω when I get a chance.

Summarily, this term pertains to a FUTURE realization. In every case.

 

[Magenta]

The reformed faith believes God is the first cause of all things given that God in creation began all things. This doesn't make God responsible for the actions of that which He has created. God allowing for things doesn't make Him culpable.

In this particular case, neither you or I know what is true of the individual. Subsequently, we are unfit to judge. God isn't unfit to judge. I will admit it would be insensitive to have said such things to grieving family members, but if the setting is a reformed conference on divine judgment, he's simply presenting his view on it. Vitriol isn't necessary part of the message. When Jesus told the crowd that unless they repent they would also perish after people were killed from a falling tower, was He being hateful and insensitive? Or was it a teachable moment?

There are no teachable moments for the free willer.

A miracle is going to have to happen.

Jesus, open their eyes!

Maybe then they will scream less about Your sovereignty...

 

[cv5]

This has been de-Calvinized ages ago on here, by preachers and teachers of the word correctly exegeting the text.

Paul is writing to the faithful in Christ Jesus.
The faithful in Christ Jesus are predestined before the foundation of the world to >>>>>>> holiness, blamelessness, and adoption in verses 4 and 5

Pre-destination .. the destination is set before hand
God has chosen those in Him to be blameless in his sight. The passage is a list of blessings for those in Him. Not a choosing of who will become believers.
The End!!

Calvinist election debunked.

"the destination is set before hand"

Absolutely correct. The text makes unmistakable.

 

[studier]

I will post something on προορίζω when I get a chance.

Summarily, this term pertains to a FUTURE realization. In every case.

The more we're caused to dig, the more the determinist system falls apart, even if some don't care. Scripture is ultimately not their friend.

 

[Rufus]

Where does faith come from?

 

[Rufus]

Where does faith come from?

Studier already answered that for us recently. I think the phrase he used to describe faith was "volitional belief". All we gotta do is believe with our volition -- not our hearts.

 

[Cameron143]

There are no teachable moments for the free willer.

A miracle is going to have to happen.

Jesus, open their eyes!

Maybe then they will scream less about Your sovereignty...

I think it's significant that there is such a similar incident in scripture. It seems that when Jesus does it, no problem. If someone does basically the same thing, vitriol must necessarily be the motive.

 

[Intersection]

AI Overview

Yes, from a humanistic and some theological viewpoints, humans have free will to choose , but this ability is often seen as limited or subject to underlying desires or divine influence, rather than absolute freedom from all factors. In many religious contexts, particularly in Christianity, free will is believed to be a gift from God, enabling humans to make genuine choices, even to choose evil, though some perspectives argue that a sinful nature or a higher divine plan can influence these choices.

Theological Perspectives

• Christianity:
  .Opens in new tab
  Free will is a core concept, allowing for genuine love and choice, even if it includes the potential for evil. However, some Christian views also emphasize a "sinful nature" that prevents a person from choosing righteousness on their own, requiring divine grace to enable that choice.
  
  
• Judaism:
  .Opens in new tab
  The Torah presents life and death as choices, implying free will is necessary for people to make those decisions, such as choosing to serve God or not.
  
  
• Islam:
  .Opens in new tab
  The Quran demonstrates freedom of choice, indicating that individuals have the capacity to make choices that affect their lives.
  

Philosophical and Psychological Perspectives

• Humanistic Psychology:
  .Opens in new tab
  This approach assumes humans possess free will and personal agency, meaning they make choices that shape their lives and have consequences.
  
  
• Limitations of Free Will:
  .Opens in new tab
  Even where free will is affirmed, it's often understood to exist within certain limits. Just as one cannot choose to fly, a person may be unable to choose to make themselves righteous due to their inherent nature or circumstances, according to some views.
  

The Role of Choice in Goodness and Evil

• The Necessity of Choice:
  .Opens in new tab
  Some argue that genuine goodness and love are only possible if there is a real choice involved; a being programmed to be good would not possess true love.
• The Origin of Evil:
  .Opens in new tab
  Free will is also seen as the reason evil exists, as it gives beings the choice to go wrong.

The Complexity of Free Will

• Divine Will vs. Human Choice:
  Some theological discussions explore the relationship between human free will and God's predestination or sovereign will, presenting a complex view where both coexist.
  
  
• Voluntary Actions:
  Even if a person is compelled by internal factors (like desires), their actions can still be considered voluntary, making them responsible for those choices.

 

[Magenta]

The more we're caused to dig, the more the determinist system falls apart, even if some don't care. Scripture is ultimately not their friend.

Yeah, you have the deaf choosing to hear and opening their own blind eyes and curing their incurably wicked heart even though Scripture says it is not possible, just as it is not possible for a bad tree to bring forth good fruit, oh then we are told faith is not counted as something good! There are none good but God alone, remember? The twisting and distorting and negating of Scriptures coming out of your camp is quite disturbing, and then you tell us you do not teach the very thing you actually do teach. You must hate the fact that Scripture says Jesus does those things for us, and without having those things done for us nobody would believe with their incurably wicked heart.

The free will camp claim is that the unregenerated man is free to choose to believe that which he can neither receive nor comprehend and to which he is inherently opposed because his incurably wicked heart hates God and hears the gospel as foolishness. There is simply no getting around the fact that this is the core of their belief, and it flies in the face of what Scripture actually teaches about those blinded to truth and under the power and influence of Satan. Praise the Lord if He has set you free!

 

[Rufus]

I've pondered what would have happened if Adam would have gone to God rather than eat? Pilgrimshope and I briefly discussed that.





God wasn't Adam's Father? too bad you weren't around when Luke wrote the genealogy of the Lord Jesus Christ ...

Luke 3:38 Which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

also, have you considered children who have a single parent? they don't leave "father and mother" ... some leave father ... some leave mother ... but the fact is, what was written in Gen 2:24 is also written in Eph 5:31 ... so still instruction in our day and time.
.

What I postulated was most certainly an option Adam had. If he loved Eve and God so much, why didn't he offer to sacrifice his own life for her? Didn't the Last Adam do just that for God's chosen children of promise?

 

[Magenta]

Studier already answered that for us recently. I think the phrase he used to describe faith
was "volitional belief". All we gotta do is believe with our volition -- not our hearts.

Belief, in their camp, has been reduced to a number of things such as making a moral choice.
Because they are Pelagian heretics, they can say such things and ignore everything Scripture
proclaims of man. Nope, they pretty much reject it all outright. Man is not such a bad guy in
their theology. Not even murdering your own brother is seen as a very bad thing.

 

[Magenta]

God's word is alive and active

Hebrews 4 v 12 The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

 

[Rufus]

Faithfulness and faith are two different concepts.

But faith always precedes the new birth, always.
In scripture there is not one place where regeneration precedes faith.
God's plan of redemption, not the erroneous Canons of Dort.

You make a distinction without any differences! Faith is another two-sided coin; for faithfulness (obedience) flows from faith. No one can be faithful towards God apart from having genuine biblical faith.