Contra Edwards on Free Will
The Post-Barthian Theologian Jurgen Motmann's view on free will contrasts significantly with that of Jonathan Edwards, particularly in terms of their theological emphases and the implications for human freedom. Here's a comparative analysis of their perspectives:
### Jürgen Moltmann on Free Will:
1. **Eschatological Focus:** Moltmann's theology is eschatological, focusing on the future fulfillment of God's promises and the coming of God's Kingdom. He views human freedom in the context of this redemptive plan, emphasizing that true freedom is realized through hope and participation in God’s transformative work.
2. **Relational Freedom:** Moltmann understands freedom as relational and dynamic, not merely autonomous. True freedom is found in a participatory relationship with God, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
3. **Hope and Community:** Freedom, for Moltmann, is deeply intertwined with hope and is best practiced within a community. He stresses that freedom involves actively working toward the realization of God's Kingdom, which includes social justice and communal transformation.
### Jonathan Edwards on Free Will:
1. **Theological Determinism:** Edwards is known for his Reformed theology and his concept of theological determinism. He argues that God’s sovereignty encompasses all events, including human decisions. Human freedom operates within the framework of God’s predetermined plan.
2. **Compatibilism:** Edwards espouses a form of compatibilism, the idea that free will and divine sovereignty are compatible. He defines true freedom as the ability to act according to one's desires, which are themselves determined by one's nature and God’s will.
3. **Moral Necessity:** Edwards believes that human choices are determined by the strongest motive or inclination at any given time. This aligns with his view that humans naturally choose in accordance with their sinful nature unless transformed by divine grace.
### Comparison:
1. **Nature of Freedom:**
- **Moltmann:** Emphasizes relational and eschatological freedom, where true freedom is realized in a hopeful, participatory relationship with God and within the community working towards the future Kingdom.
- **Edwards:** Focuses on compatibilist freedom, where human choices are determined by desires shaped by one's nature and ultimately by God's sovereign will.
2. **Divine Sovereignty:**
- **Moltmann:** While acknowledging divine sovereignty, Moltmann places significant emphasis on human participation in God's redemptive work and the transformative power of hope.
- **Edwards:** Strongly emphasizes divine sovereignty and predestination, arguing that all human actions and decisions are part of God's predetermined plan.
3. **Human Will and Sin:**
- **Moltmann:** Views human freedom as dynamic and forward-looking, influenced
### Jürgen Moltmann on Free Will:
1. **Eschatological Focus:** Moltmann's theology is eschatological, focusing on the future fulfillment of God's promises and the coming of God's Kingdom. He views human freedom in the context of this redemptive plan, emphasizing that true freedom is realized through hope and participation in God’s transformative work.
2. **Relational Freedom:** Moltmann understands freedom as relational and dynamic, not merely autonomous. True freedom is found in a participatory relationship with God, empowered by the Holy Spirit.
3. **Hope and Community:** Freedom, for Moltmann, is deeply intertwined with hope and is best practiced within a community. He stresses that freedom involves actively working toward the realization of God's Kingdom, which includes social justice and communal transformation.
### Jonathan Edwards on Free Will:
1. **Theological Determinism:** Edwards is known for his Reformed theology and his concept of theological determinism. He argues that God’s sovereignty encompasses all events, including human decisions. Human freedom operates within the framework of God’s predetermined plan.
2. **Compatibilism:** Edwards espouses a form of compatibilism, the idea that free will and divine sovereignty are compatible. He defines true freedom as the ability to act according to one's desires, which are themselves determined by one's nature and God’s will.
3. **Moral Necessity:** Edwards believes that human choices are determined by the strongest motive or inclination at any given time. This aligns with his view that humans naturally choose in accordance with their sinful nature unless transformed by divine grace.
### Comparison:
1. **Nature of Freedom:**
- **Moltmann:** Emphasizes relational and eschatological freedom, where true freedom is realized in a hopeful, participatory relationship with God and within the community working towards the future Kingdom.
- **Edwards:** Focuses on compatibilist freedom, where human choices are determined by desires shaped by one's nature and ultimately by God's sovereign will.
2. **Divine Sovereignty:**
- **Moltmann:** While acknowledging divine sovereignty, Moltmann places significant emphasis on human participation in God's redemptive work and the transformative power of hope.
- **Edwards:** Strongly emphasizes divine sovereignty and predestination, arguing that all human actions and decisions are part of God's predetermined plan.
3. **Human Will and Sin:**
- **Moltmann:** Views human freedom as dynamic and forward-looking, influenced
