Theological glossary · FaithLogic

Free will (and its bondage)

The human capacity for self-determined choice — and the disputed question of how far the fall has enslaved it in relation to God.

Latin liberum arbitrium, 'free judgement/choice'.

The universal calls to 'choose', 'turn', 'repent', and 'believe' (Deut 30:19; Josh 24:15; Isa 1:18; Acts 17:30) alongside the 'inability' texts (John 6:44; Rom 8:7; 1 Cor 2:14; Eph 2:1).

The Pelagius–Augustine controversy (free and unfallen vs. bound and needing grace); the Erasmus–Luther exchange of 1524–25 (De Libero Arbitrio / De Servo Arbitrio); the Reformed–Arminian debate (bondage vs. grace-restored resistible freedom); Trent's middle position (free will 'weakened and bent' but not lost).

All the historic traditions agree fallen humans cannot come to God without grace; they differ on whether grace liberates the will effectually (so the person then wills God) or enables a cooperation the person can still refuse.

Compatibilist (the will freely does what it most wants, which for the unregenerate is always sin) vs. libertarian (a genuine power of contrary choice) accounts; monergism vs. synergism in conversion.

Open in the glossary for related terms and the doctrines this concept appears in.