Free Will, the Multi-Layered Problem

When I first considered the question of whether or not we have free will, it seemed quit simple. Though the more I thought about it, the more layers I had to consider. By the time I was finished, I was ready to pull out my hair.

This whole topic, I admit, is beyond my ability to comprehend it. I write it, not because I feel that I am worthy to discuss, or teach such a topic, but I write it only on the grounds that it has been on my mind. I write this more as an open dialogue, rather than such a way which would appear that I have a sound understanding of it, because I do not.

First off, we have to determine what we mean by free will. If we mean the ability to make decisions without outside influence, the obvious answer is no. Some things are out of our control. Things that make a significant difference. These things include, what part of the world we are born in, who our parents are, etc.If I was born in the middle east, I may not have the same world view as I do now. If my parents were the leaders of a white supremest group, I may have grown up a racist.

From a spiritual aspect, it is clear in scripture, that there are outside influences that play a large roll in our decision making.

Paul, in Romans 7, says this, " For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold  into bondage to sin. ¹⁵ For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. ¹⁶ But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. ¹⁷ So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. ¹⁸ For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. ¹⁹ For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. ²⁰ But if I am doing the very 
 thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me."


Paul recognized that he had a will, and a will to do good, but he lacked the ability to follow through. In fact, he did the exact opposite! He did the things that he hated. Now if a regenerated man, (one who is in Christ) does not have the ability to follow through with his will to do good, then what hope is there for one who does not yet know Christ? Ephesians 6:12 says " For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." So according to Scripture, we are influenced not only by the sin that dwells in our fallen flesh, but also against spiritual forces. 


If by free will, we mean whether or not our decisions are predetermined, our questions are a bit more complex. (The next two paragraphs have been borrowed and paraphrased from Dinesh D'Souza's book 'God Forsaken')

In the 18th Century, physicist Pierre-Simone Laplace, first made the case for a theory called Determinism. ("Determinism is often taken to mean simply causal determinism: an idea known in physics as cause-and-effect. It is the concept that events within a given paradigm are bound by causality in such a way that any state [of an object or event] is completely determined by prior states" -Wikipedia)

This theory basically said that free-will is an illusion. Laplace said that free will contradicted the scientific view of causation, (The relation of cause and effect.). He stated that our will, is simply neurons in the brain, and since we do not control the neurons in our brain, then free-will does not actually exist.

Later, with the discovery of quantum physics,this theory was greatly challenged. Quantum physics, at the subatomic level, showed that the motion of particles is not only unpredictable, but also undetermined. Although, as physicist Stephen Barr pointed out, quantum physics did not prove free-will, but it opened the door for it. So even in physics, there still seems to be some questions regarding this.

When we look at the scriptures, there seems to be this duality. We know that God is sovereign over all of his creation, yet we also know that he is not the author of sin. (James 1:13) We know that God is the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2) We know that he is the one who works in you, to both will, and to work for his purpose, (Philippians 2:13) yet it seems there are multiple passages that suggest that we have some kind of responsibility in our moral decisions, and spiritual journey.

I come away with more questions then answers, and I am OK with that. A God who I can understand, would not really be a God who I could be in awe of. If God is sovereign, then surely he will reveal the things that need to be revealed. If that is Christ alone, then I am rich in knowledge indeed.

I believe these topics are important, but they are tiresome. I can easily become engulfed in these types of questions. May our inquisitive minds never take precedence over the simplicity of Christ. We are seated in him, sealed until the day of Christ. I will rest take rest in that.