The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Free Will of Christians/non Christians

Janean,

First of all, I disagree that Adam (and Eve) had a "free-will", if by that it is meant that they were able to choose that which was contrary to their nature.

Before the Fall, Adam's nature was far different than that which he had after the Fall and which we all inherit by virtue of our being his prodigy and recipients of God's punishment for his transgression. (cf. Rom 5:12-18)

So, what WAS Adam's condition before the Fall? Well, it has been classically phrased in this manner, thanks to our forebear Augustine; Adam was created with a nature that was "posse peccare" and "non-posse non peccare". Translated it means, Adam was created with the "possibility (ability) to sin" and "no possibility to not sin". So, Adam had the ability to choose to sin or not sin, BUT he was not given a guarantee that he would never sin.

Now comes the sticky wicket. If sin always proceeds from a prior and inherent disposition to sin, how was it possible that Adam, who was created "very good" (perfect in holiness in regard to his inclinations), could sin? And the answer is...... nobody knows. Many have tried to offer an explanation, e.g., it was the evil influence of the Serpent, the perfection of the temptation, etc. But all fall short of having any biblical support and/or they contradict other passages of Scripture. What this question really is asking is, "What is the origin of sin?" But again, the answer to this age-old question is that there is no answer which God has revealed to us. Additionally, one must take a step back and consider what was antecedent to Adam's transgression. How is it that a perfectly holy being, an angel (Satan), who was not subject to any outside influence, nor possessed an evil disposition chose to rebel against God?

What we DO know, is that Adam sinned and the consequences of his act effected the entire race. (Rom 5:12-18) Thus we all by nature are born "dead in trespasses and sins", we live our lives "according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience", that our lives are governed by "the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind", and we are "by nature the children of wrath." (Eph 2:1-3) Therefore it is of the utmost necessity that for anyone to have even the slightest interest in God, Christ, salvation and anything which is good, we must be "Born Again" (regenerated) first, by the sovereign free grace of the Holy Spirit. (Jh 1:12, 13; 3:3, 5, 7ff).

In His Grace,