The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Is compatibilism the only true Calvinist response?

Charles,

Methinks there is a bit of confusion here. The problem is terminology. Calvinists have shunned away from using the term "free-will" ever since the "Council of Orange" (529 AD) where Augustine and others rejected the heretical teachings of Pelagius. And again, at the "Synod of Dordt" (1618-1619) where all the Reformed Churches voted unanimously against the remonstrants; followers of Arminius who like Pelagius asserted that man's will is totally "free". What they meant by that as do all those who embrace their error, either in whole or in part, is that man is capable of choosing that which is contrary to his nature.

Now, without going into a long and drawn out excursus on this subject, the difference between the two camps is: Calvinists hold that man will always choose and is only capable of choosing that which is most desirable at any given moment according to his nature. Pelagians, semi-Pelagians and Arminians hold that man is can choose whatever he desires even that which is contrary to his nature. Calvinists hold that all men from the Fall are totally depraved, i.e., their entire being is corrupted by sin and thus the only thing an unregenerate (natural) man can and thus will choose is sinful. The natural man's nature is in total opposition to God and all that is good. In fact, the Bible teaches that man hates God and anything that is good. All others hold that man is not totally depraved but is either good or has some good remaining in him so that he can choose anything and everything he wants. The implications of the two views directly impacts the doctrine of salvation.

Anyway.... the point is that Calvinists do and have always affirmed that man's will is "free", i.e., free to choose according to the individual's nature. Thus, compatibilism does not exclude a freedom of the will but only "free-will" as defined by Pelagianism and Arminianism. Another way of phrasing the Calvinist position is to say that all men by nature are "free agents" and therefore they are totally responsible for all they think, say and do. Therefore there is no contradiction in affirming Calvinism and compatibilism.

PS - I would highly recommend that you read Jonathan Edwards' treatise (if you haven't already), entitled "A Careful and Strict Inquiry into the Prevailing Notions of the Freedom of Will".

In His grace,