Good discussion, I used to be heavy on the free will side and try to step around passages that talk about predestination. But as I've read more into Lutheran theology I've reconsidered this. But putting too much focus on the free will leads to burn out in the Christian walk and in ministry, its relying on something that will eventually choose to sin, I can personally attest to this. The focus needs to be on the fact that the Holy Spirit gives us faith and the freedom to follow Christ. We are victorious because Christ is. At the same time I'm definitely not a 5 point Calvinist, that goes too far in the other direct IMO. It really is a divine mystery at the end of the day, like the Trinity and Christ being present at the Eucharist, but God wouldn't be very impressive if we understood every little detail about how he works.
God preserves and upholds us, by His grace, in our ability to choose the good. In creating mankind with the capacity to choose to disobey Him, God intended that mankind be a creature with the capacity to choose and build our own character. God brings us to the place where we can choose, but He does not make that desicion for us.
God foreknows nothing by contingency, but that He foresees, purposes, and does all things according to His immutable, eternal, and infallible will. By this thunderbolt, "Free-will" is thrown prostrate, and utterly dashed to pieces. ----Martin Luther
I really love this youtube channel, and am excited to see it grow so quickly too. Looking forward to future episodes
Appreciate it! We are having fun planning for growth and forecasting long term goals for expanded LCMS educational media.
Excellent summation of biblical freewill. We avoid both the Calvinist's determinism and the Arminian's overemphasis on autonomy.
Good discussion, I used to be heavy on the free will side and try to step around passages that talk about predestination. But as I've read more into Lutheran theology I've reconsidered this. But putting too much focus on the free will leads to burn out in the Christian walk and in ministry, its relying on something that will eventually choose to sin, I can personally attest to this. The focus needs to be on the fact that the Holy Spirit gives us faith and the freedom to follow Christ. We are victorious because Christ is. At the same time I'm definitely not a 5 point Calvinist, that goes too far in the other direct IMO. It really is a divine mystery at the end of the day, like the Trinity and Christ being present at the Eucharist, but God wouldn't be very impressive if we understood every little detail about how he works.
God preserves and upholds us, by His grace, in our ability to choose the good. In creating mankind with the capacity to choose to disobey Him, God intended that mankind be a creature with the capacity to choose and build our own character. God brings us to the place where we can choose, but He does not make that desicion for us.
God foreknows nothing by contingency, but that He foresees, purposes, and does all things according to His immutable, eternal, and infallible will. By this thunderbolt, "Free-will" is thrown prostrate, and utterly dashed to pieces.
----Martin Luther