I have questions for the Calvinist that would suggest that GOD has a plan for me?
I and we can clearly screw up those plans.
Moreover, the idea that more and more people think we are the product of matter and motion, and as a result their actions are to be accepted as "out of their control", inevitable, preordained and therefore beyond judgement.
I'm confident that most Conservatives reject the "Matrix".
My concern is that we are seeing a growing number of people that not only fail to consider these concepts, but are happy in their acceptance of indifference.
A deeper understanding of ‘free will’ may be gleaned after more advanced study of Bible doctrine.
It is hardly the case that advocates for or against free will or determinism become any more or less ethical.
Some of the strongest willed people are agnostic and some are atheist. Satan himself was cursed upon his declaration of his five “I wills” as recorded in Isaiah 14.
Conversely, the plans of Satan are often thwarted, not by believing zealots, but by unbelievers who have volition and still sin. Even the best laid plans of strong willed persons are brought to failure by those who fail to obey plans, even those plans independent of God. It’s been said that while Satan may be an Adversary to God, he hates man, not so much because man was created in God’s image, but because Satan can’t control the volition of man, especially when man sins and impedes the diabolical plans of the Adversary.
Studies in Reformed theologies, advancing beyond the anthropology of the created man as having body, soul, and spirit, the topic of ‘free will’ can become quite impressive.
When we accept all mankind today is born with a body and soul, but without a living spirit one with God, yet it is available per the Gospel message, we then must consider the issue of free will and its role in salvation and sanctification. Since spiritual things can’t be understood by unbelievers who lack a human spirit until it is created for them at salvation, and yet salvation is by grace through faith and not by works, lest any man should boast, some are led to believe salvation is only by a preordained selection, rather than by election.
The beauty of God’s Plan is that it excludes Arrogance from eternal life in heaven. We are condemned before we are saved. That salvation involves a thinking process, which re are responsible for our thinking, but still involves predestination in regards to logistical grace and when and where the divine call is made.
Doctrines of efficacious and common grace, as well as predestination, and volitional accountability are all key to the Divine Plan.
I find the article fascinating. The belief in free will is more important than whether it’s actually real.