Monergism

  • Home
  • Directory
  • Our Faith
  • MP3s
  • Bookstore
  • Donate
  • About Us
  • Contact

Directory of Theology

Subscribe to Updates

| New Links | Editors' Picks | Popular Links

Determinism Vs Libertarian Free Will

Home >> Arminianism >>


Compatibilism (also known as soft determinism), is the belief that God's predetermination and meticulous providence is "compatible" with voluntary choice. In light of Scripture, human choices are believed to be exercised voluntarily but the desires and circumstances that bring about these choices about occur through divine determinism (see Acts 2:23 & 4:27-28). It should be noted that this position is no less deterministic than hard determinism - be clear that neither soft nor hard determinism believes man has a free will. Our choices are only our choices because they are voluntary, not coerced. We do not make choices contrary to our desires or natures. Compatibilism is directly contrary to libertarian free will. Therefore voluntary choice is not the freedom to choose otherwise, that is, without any influence, prior prejudice, inclination, or disposition. Voluntary does mean, however, the ability to choose what we want or desire most. The former view is known as contrary choice, the latter free agency. (Note: compatibilism denies that the will is free to choose otherwise, that is, not free from the bondage to the corruption nature, for the unregenerate, and denies that the will is free from God's eternal decree.)
Monergism.com

God controls man's free decisions.
John Frame

1. Choices are either caused or uncaused.
2. If a choice is uncaused, then it springs from nothing and is, therefore, morally irrelevant.
3. Choices are morally relevant.
4. Therefore, choices are caused (and therefore necessary).
5. The causes of choices are either chosen or not chosen.
6. If the causes of choices are chosen, then an infinite regress of choices and causes must precede any choice.
7. An infinite regress of causes and choices is impossible, therefore, the causes of choices are not chosen.
8. From 4 and 7 --> Choices are causally necessitated by something not chosen.
9. LFW contradicts 8, therefore, LFW is false.

Sort by:   Date added - Rating - Title

Title Notes
Eleven (11) Reasons to Reject Libertarian Free Will by John Hendryx - A critique of "Why I am not a Calvinist" by Jerry Walls and Joseph Dongellicon
Hendryx Responds to Synergist J.C. Thibodaux Debate: John Hendryx & J.C. Thibodauxicon
Calvin or Wesley: Part I Steve Haysicon
Calvin or Wesley Part II Steve Haysicon
Do Humans Have More Freedom Than God J.W. Hendryxicon
Faith and Repentance - Gifts of God or the Fruits of Free Will Sam Stormsicon
Libertarian Free Will & Prayer by John Feinbergicon
Agent Causation and Free Will by John Frameicon
Free Will and Moral Responsibility by John Frameicon
Determinism, Chance and Freedom by John M. Frameicon
Reflections on Jonathan Edwards' View of Free Will by W. Tullian Tchividjianicon
GOD'S WILL AND MAN'S WILL by Charles Spurgeonicon
God's Will and Man's Will Horatius Bonaricon
Letter from Visitor on Calvinism, Evil and God's Holiness John Hendryxicon
Arminianism Restrictive of Divine Free Agency Rev. Samuel J. Cassellsicon
The False God & Gospel of Moral Government Theology E. Calvin Beisner - Orthodoxy and the "Power of Contrary Choice" (Libertarian Freewill)icon
The Gloves are Off: William Craig Lane offers his bare-knuckle opinion of Calvinism Steve Haysicon
Can God Know Everything and Still Give us Free Will? Kevin DeYoungicon
Free Will - Confusion Abounds Reformed Apologisticon
Libertarian Free Will Theopediaicon
Do We Have a Free Will? Andy Naselliicon
The Potter’s Freedom E. Calvin Beisnericon
Sort by:   Date added - Rating - Title

Recommended Reading

Willing to Believe: The Controversy Over Free Will
by R.C. Sproul

Bondage of the
Will

by Martin Luther


Bondage and Liberation of the Will
by John Calvin


Similar Pages

Compatibilism (54)
 

Newest Links

  • Words of counsel to a dear dying friend
  • A Believer's Last Day, His Best Day
  • Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices
  • The Golden Key to Open Hidden Treasures
  • Apples of Gold

SUBSCRIBE TO THE FEATURES BY EMAIL OR RSS

Top Rated Links

  • Monergistic Regeneration - Part 2
  • Systematic Theology
  • Gospel-Centered Ministry (.pdf)
  • Debating the Trinity: Trinitarian vs. Unitarian (MP3s)
  • The Spiritual Watch

Popular Links

  • Calvin's Commentaries on the Whole Bible
  • Expository Sermons from Genesis to Revelation
  • Classic Bible Commentaries
  • John Piper - Sermons by Scripture
  • IVP New Testament Commentaries

Monergism Copyright © 2009 by CPR Foundation. All rights reserved  |  Site Credits