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Does God Have "Free Will"?

Discussion in 'Calvinism & Arminianism Debate' started by thatbrian, Feb 20, 2018.

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  1. thatbrian

    thatbrian Well-Known Member
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    If we go with the typical Evangelical (Arminian/Semi-Pelagian) version of free will, can we say of God that He has "free will"?
     
    #1 thatbrian, Feb 20, 2018
  2. thatbrian

    thatbrian Well-Known Member
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    Does God have free will?
     
    #2 thatbrian, Feb 20, 2018
  3. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    Answer this question and you'll get your answer
    Can God make a stone so heavy he can't lift it?

    Rob
     
    #3 Deacon, Feb 20, 2018
  4. thatbrian

    thatbrian Well-Known Member
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    After you.
     
    #4 thatbrian, Feb 20, 2018
  5. Pastor_Bob

    Pastor_Bob Well-Known Member

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    Yes.

    Daniel 2:21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

    Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.

    Daniel 4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

    Psalms 75:7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

    Jeremiah 27:5 I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me.
     
    #5 Pastor_Bob, Feb 20, 2018
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  6. The Archangel

    The Archangel Well-Known Member

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    Scripture certainly seems to answer that question with a "Yes."

    Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases. (Psalm 115:3 ESV)
    Psalm 135:6

    Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps. (Psalm 135:6 ESV)​

    The Archangel
     
    #6 The Archangel, Feb 20, 2018
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  7. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Of course God has free will. He is God and his free will is described all over the Bible.

    I'm not understanding your defining of Evangelical with Arminianism or Semi-Pelagianism.

    I am an Evangelical Christian and I do not believe you can be lost again [A] nor do I believe that we are only partially depraved. [SP]
     
    #7 Scarlett O., Feb 20, 2018
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  8. InTheLight

    InTheLight Well-Known Member
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    No, because he can't sin....:confused:
     
    #8 InTheLight, Feb 20, 2018
  9. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
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    God does not have "free will" as it does not exist.
    God cannot act contrary to His Holy Nature or His perfection in all of His Holy attributes.

    What I see described in these posts is...that God is sovereign. He does things that He has purposed in wisdom to do.....
     
    #9 Iconoclast, Feb 20, 2018
  10. Iconoclast

    Iconoclast Well-Known Member
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    Where do you see such a description in the bible?
     
    #10 Iconoclast, Feb 20, 2018
  11. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    God is true to who he is.

    His essential or characteristic attributes are inherent; he cannot be “not God”.

    A question that defies logic like the one above, or the question in the OP is illogical.

    Rob
     
    #11 Deacon, Feb 20, 2018
  12. Pastor_Bob

    Pastor_Bob Well-Known Member

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    That's free will, my Brother.
     
    #12 Pastor_Bob, Feb 20, 2018
  13. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
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    No, its not. And your response highlights the unfortunate fact that so many non or anti "calvinists" don't have a good theological understanding of the term so, of course, their conclusions will be badly flawed.
     
    #13 TCassidy, Feb 20, 2018
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  14. JonShaff

    JonShaff Fellow Servant
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    May i please have your definition?
     
    #14 JonShaff, Feb 20, 2018
  15. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    How about where God told Moses that he was going to kill all the people for their idolatry and make a nation out of Moses and Moses reminded God that his enemies would wonder why God delivered them from Egypt just to kill them.

    God was angry - justifiably so - and said the words of what he would do. Yet he did not do it.

    God was not sinning or doing anything wrong. His anger was a righteous anger - sinless. He pondered one action and took another. He has that right. That's his nature and who he is. God cannot lie or sin in any way, yet that does not mean he has no free will.
     
    #15 Scarlett O., Feb 20, 2018
  16. The Archangel

    The Archangel Well-Known Member

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    Or was it a test of Moses?

    The Archangel


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    #16 The Archangel, Feb 20, 2018
  17. Pastor_Bob

    Pastor_Bob Well-Known Member

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    Yes, it is. :Rolleyes

    Actually, my response merely highlights the fact, unfortunate to some, that we disagree on this point (imagine that). You can play the "theological understanding" card (which seems to be one of the few cards you play) all you want; it doesn't change a thing.
     
    #17 Pastor_Bob, Feb 20, 2018
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  18. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Of course it was a test of Moses. But do you think God was not really angry enough to wipe those people out and begin again with Moses? He and Moses were friends. I think God spoke the truth to Moses.

    And I think that any time that God speaks to us via his Word or solid preaching and any way he pleases, it is a test of our own obedience to that Word.
     
    #18 Scarlett O., Feb 20, 2018
  19. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
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    It is sad that you not only don't understand the concept of "free will" but refuse to be enlightened regarding the issue.

    The will of a lost man is not "free." It is in bondage to the law of sin and death.

    The will of the saved man is not "free." It is bound to the law of New Life in Christ.

    Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

    That's bible. Accept it or reject it, but it is still the infallible word of God!

    As to God Himself. Is He free to sin? No. Of course not. To sin would be a violation of His Holiness.

    Just as man is only free to make choices that fall within his moral nature, so also God only makes choices that fall within His moral nature.

    It is impossible for God to sin. He is bound to His own moral nature of Absolute Holiness.

    We know, due to His nature, God will always do Right and never do wrong.
     
    #19 TCassidy, Feb 20, 2018
  20. TCassidy

    TCassidy Late-Administator Emeritus
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    See my response to Pastor_Bob. :)
     
    #20 TCassidy, Feb 20, 2018
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