There are many things that have split Christians and denominations over the years because they are so controversial. More specifically, the idea of free will versus predestination. As defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary predestination is "the doctrine that God in consequence of the foreknowledge of all events infallibly guides those who are destined for salvation." Also defined by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, free will is the "freedom of humans to make choices that are not determined by prior cause or by divine intervention. Romans 8:28 gives a valid argument that we are predestined. "For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Whereas, Romans 1:10, "In my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you" talks about will.
This topic of free will versus predestination has been a hot topic in many theological conversations for many years. Did God did humans free will? Are humans predestined by God to either salvation or damnation? If we are predestined to either Heaven or Hell, is Hell fair? Does predestination make God mean? Why doesn't God save everyone" These are just some of the questions people have been arguing and pondering about for a long time. Do they all have a clear answer? Do any of them? Lastly, why wouldn't God make it absolutely clear in the Bible that we were either predestined or given free will?
1 comment:
Carlee, your essay is off to a great start! I think in your first paragraph you did very well explaining what free will and predestination was. But I think it could've been a little bit broader and saved some of the specifics for the second. You're second paragraph did a great job of introducing the question and posing both sides of the arguement. It really left me thinking.
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