Is our free will/eternal choices based on circumstance?

[Sultan_Of_Swing]

Are our eternal choices, i.e. to follow Christ or not, based on our circumstances, and to push it even further back; on the initial conditions of the universe? If this is the case, then how can God blame us for not choosing to follow Him, if we are dictated by those initial conditions; by the conditions that He decided upon?

And if not, then what is our choice based on? Innately, whether metaphysically through our souls or not, what is it that drives our choices? When we choose to follow God or not, is it random? Or is it based on circumstance?

Or is free will a gift from God that will remain a mystery and we will never fully quite understand it?

 

[Jyous]

I have been thinking about this recently too and decided that I understand it as you stated in your last question. I don’t think that the preset conditions of the universe predict our decisions. Our decisions are made in some other sphere (the spirit?). God made the universe down to its subatomic particles and directs it and all the energy therein, but somehow we are left free to influence that universe through our minds and bodies. We can choose to act or not act, to believe or not believe, to love or not love, independent of the conditions of the universe. Though those conditions influence us, they do not make the choices for us. Ultimately it is still a mystery and a gift of God.

I hope that was coherent.

 

[Linda_Clare]

How odd! I just opened up to this. My husband just published a book about this. It’s a memoir, love story and comedy called “Life in a Pinball Machine” / Memoir of an Idiot. He doesn’t really think we have a total free will because we’re like the little ball in a pinball machine getting spun about in different directions through no fault of our own. We react to this force with what we have been taught, where we were born and what our experiences are. The force of God’s power steers our choice, perhaps, but what proof do we have to back that up other than Faith which is a gift that not everyone accepts.

 

[JerryZ]

While it is true that life does affect us in very direct ways however we are free to choose from the multiple possible alternatives that present to us at each turn.
And we choose according to our own mindset, inclination and belief system.

Let’s take the example of the person that looses his job, he is in desperate economic needs, will he choose to go rob a bank as a solution to his problem?

Will he blame his boss for his current situation.

All these factors affect the outcome of our choices. But in the end it is us that choose to go one way or the other. Unless someone points a gun at your head and forces you to do something it is our free will.
We are offered opportunities and we either take them or reject them. Again it is us who choose one way or the other.
And we can also influence other people by providing both good or bad choices for them to make. Their choices we do not force them either way either.
In the end yeah it is also a big mistery

 

[R_C]

Are our eternal choices, i.e. to follow Christ or not, based on our circumstances, and to push it even further back; on the initial conditions of the universe? If this is the case, then how can God blame us for not choosing to follow Him, if we are dictated by those initial conditions; by the conditions that He decided upon?

And if not, then what is our choice based on? Innately, whether metaphysically through our souls or not, what is it that drives our choices? When we choose to follow God or not, is it random? Or is it based on circumstance?

Or is free will a gift from God that will remain a mystery and we will never fully quite understand it?

There is such thing as a Divine Providence.

Also, God affirms that He has inscribed His law in all human hearts - meaning we are all naturally moved to look for Him.

Someone once wrote that we behave like kings and queens dressed in rags that move around looking for their throne and palace. If we were beggars in a world of beggars, would we look for the throne? It is almost as if innately we acknowledge that we are meant for more than this life.

 

[Linda_Clare]

I have been thinking about this recently too and decided that I understand it as you stated in your last question. I don’t think that the preset conditions of the universe predict our decisions. Our decisions are made in some other sphere (the spirit?). God made the universe down to its subatomic particles and directs it and all the energy therein, but somehow we are left free to influence that universe through our minds and bodies. We can choose to act or not act, to believe or not believe, to love or not love, independent of the conditions of the universe. Though those conditions influence us, they do not make the choices for us. Ultimately it is still a mystery and a gift of God.

I hope that was coherent.

For some reason! you made me look at the world through a musical lens. As a child, I was brought up to appreciate the Masters, the classical music, symphonies, opera etc. Every note had its place and the conductor, director had the power and respect to make a beautiful performance.

Later, the folk musicians came into the picture. They drew the audience Into a position of intimacy. They invited us into the performance and we sang along sometimes accapella. This led into the peace and love movement led by new voices of radical thought. The jazz movement was an expression of improvisation. No more following the maestro, the individual musician followed the rules of harmony etc. a certain freedom entered the art of music.

As we have moved away from perfection and following the Master, we are using our free will more and more, perhaps turning our backs completely from the Creator. But, in the past there was such a definite line of thought that created prejudice, condescension and division. I like the idea of a grass roots movement. I’m sorry to ramble like this, I just think there is a Spiritual movement that is fighting to influence our choices.

Where is all this taking us? It depends upon our choices, but, influences will direct our choices if we don’t wear the armor of love.