Free will is the doctrine that man can choose to accept or reject
God’s offer of salvation.The theologian most recognized today for this position
is Jacobus Arminius (c.1559-1609), a Dutch Reformer. The Bible teaches that all
who call on God will be saved (see Romans 10:13). And the Bible teaches that
whosoever will follow Christ shall be saved (See Rev.22:17). God is not willing
that any should perish, but that all will receive life (see 2 Peter 3:9).
For a brief outline of the Arminian position, see “Arminianism” in
the theological dictionary at this website:http://www.carm.org/dictionary.htm
Arminianism emphasizes the love of God. An Arminian might ask, “If
God does not give everyone an opportunity to be saved from eternal torment, how
can he be called a loving God?” (For details and for free course visit <www.missionstraining.org>)
C. Predestination
Predestination is the doctrine that God pre-ordains the destiny of
man—to heaven or to hell.
“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”(Romans
8:29NIV).
D. Foreknowledge
The doctrine of foreknowledge of God teaches that God knows in
advance what will happen, but he does not cause everything to happen. So he
knows who will be saved, but he does not force them to be saved. The Bible
teaches that God knows the future (see Acts 15:18). God knows in advance who
will choose to be saved, so he predestines those people to be made like his Son
(see Romans 8:29).
E. One Theological Position
Scripture can be quoted to support each of the four concepts
related to election, and there is tension between the concepts. How can we
reconcile them? Many Christians do not attempt to reconcile the concepts. They
either take a Calvinist/predestination stance or an Arminian/foreknowledge stance.
Regardless of which position is taken, one is still bound by the same
commandments of Scripture. Both Calvinists and Arminians are commanded to obey
the Great Commission in spreading the Gospel. Both Calvinists and Arminians are
instructed to obey the Great Commandments—to love God and love their neighbor.
If we obey Scripture, it may not matter whether or not we are Calvinist or
Arminian. However, one’s view of God may differ if one holds to strict
Calvinism or strict Arminianism. The former might see God as sovereign but not
loving. And the latter might see God as loving, but not sovereign.
Stringfellow offers a theological position that draws from each of
the four concepts. He writes that God’s part is electing or calling people such
as Abraham (Gen. 12:1), but Abraham’s part is exercising free will to obey God
(Heb. 11:8). God chose to call Abraham, and Abraham could have chosen to reject
the call. And God has foreknowledge of who will respond to his call, so he
predestines those people to be conformed to the image of his Son (see Romans 8:29 above).18 God knew in advance
who would respond to his call, and so he predestined only responsive people to
be saved. (For details
and for free course visit <www.missionstraining.org>)
