Freewill (part 5)

December 21, 2008, 8:00 am by dc-agape.

This in this post about freewill I want to discuss how Jesus interacted with the freewill.  I have mentioned the possibility that both Judas and Peter did not have freewill in my second post on freewill, so I will not repeat those observations.  I will just say that Jesus did interfere with both men’s freewill.  The first set of verses that I will discuss is the selection of the apostles.  The next set of verses is where Jesus reminds the apostles that it was his choice, not theirs.  And finally I will show the verses that even limit Jesus’ freewill.

The first set of verses that show how Jesus chose the apostles.

^{Luke 6:12-13} One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, the called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles:

In verse 14-16 the names of the 12 are given.  To begin with it is the night of prayer that influences which of his disciples will become apostles.  Nothing about the men’s actions or desires have any effect on the choice.  YHWH influences Jesus’ choice.  Sure those chosen to be apostles could say “no”, but really, we know they have already given up everything to follow Jesus (read Matt 4:18-20, Matt 19:16-30).  Second, Jesus tells them you will be my apostles, and they become his apostles.  At the time they have no clue as to what this means.  They don’t know about the special powers they will gain, they don’t know about the tribulations they will suffer, they know nothing about what has just happened.  In today’s language, they did not have informed consent.  I know that informed consent is usually applied to medical procedures, but in general it is an ethical dilemma for any action taken.  Our human ethics have outgrown YHWH’s own ethics!

Much later, after making these 12 his disciples, he fills them in on what will happen (read John 15:18-16:4).  The day of Pentecost has not occurred because Jesus is still alive (Acts 2:1-13).  But what I am interested in this post is this:

^{John 15:16} You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Notice that Jesus admits that they did not have freewill!  Both YHWH and Jesus interfere with freewill arbitrarily, when it suits their needs.

The last verse I will use for the discussion of freewill is:

^{Luke 10:22} All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

Jesus chose who he will reveal himself and his father to.  The whole concept of Grace, as a result, eliminates freewill.  No one has the option of believing in Jesus or YHWH, Jesus and the Holy Ghost are responsible for that.  Many verses in the Word contradict this point of view, even some of the points in the link above about Grace are confusing the topic.  But in the end, it is not us humans being in the right frame of mind that gives us the freewill to believe, it is Jesus and the Holy Spirit that make that choice for us.

During this post two Biblical topics require special attention.  At the moment I am conflicted between which of the two is more important.  Since I have only one more post on freewill, I hope to have made the decision by that time.  One of the topics that I want to cover is the difference between Disciples of Jesus and christians.  The difference between being a Disciple and a christian is significant and requires a number of posts.  I am not sure that I am ready to organize them into anything coherent.  The second topic I want to discuss is the presence of the Holy Ghost.  This is also a significant amount of material.  It may be as difficult to organize as the Discipleship posts.  I guess I will have to wait and see which one tempts me more!

Posted in Freewill, Biblical topics | Print | No Comments »