Free Will Semantics

Why do most people change the definition of "free will" when talking about it in a religious context?

In normal life, "free will" refers to the ability to make voluntary choices. The opposite of "free will" is being forced to do something we don't want to do. The factors that influence what someone wants to do aren't the issue. The bottom line is: if it's voluntary, it's free will. If it's unvoluntary, it's not free will. Pretty simple.

Why then is there such a debate about whether God gives people free will? It's quite obvious that he does. I can't think of any decision I've ever made where God was forcing me to make it against my will. Yet people seem to have a problem with the fact that parts of the Bible say he predestines and parts say we have free will. They say it's a great mystery that we'll never understand. Some even use it as the prime example of how we "can't comprehend the mind of God". But I can't comprehend why people have such a problem with this.

I think the reason is that many people use a different definition of "free will" in this context. The normal meaning of "free will" is thrown out the window. Instead, it becomes something like the ability to make decisions independent of causes, independent of our nature, or independent of God or God's plan. I know what they mean, but I don't think it should be called "free will". Maybe "uncaused will" or "uncaused desire" or "atheistic will" would be better. [note: the 'new' definition of free will has made it into some dictionaries as an alternative definition, but it's really only used in religious/philosophical contexts]

I think it's simple. If God determines what we want to do, he in turn determines what we do. And if we do what we want, we have free will. So there's no conflict at all between theistic determinism and free will.

The only conflict is when you use a different definition of free will that excludes determinism (then obviously there's a conflict because they become contradictory by definition). But if people use that definition when talking about God, why don't they use it in other contexts? I've never heard anyone say anything like "I went to a Sooner football game because I wanted to, but it wasn't a free choice because I grew up in Norman and my parents are Sooner fans and that's probably why I like the Sooners and wanted to go to the game instead of a movie." That would be silly. Of course it was a free choice, even though it might've been determined by external factors.

As for whether or not God determines what we want to do, that's a different topic. But if you believe God created us (which would mean he determined our physical needs and designed our brains to respond in certain ways to various stimuli), I think it'd be kinda hard not to believe he also determined what we want. Thus (for that reason and others), I think it's quite possible/likely that he determined everything we do. And I strongly believe he gives us free will. No conflict there.

posted by Matt @ 2:03 PM