Free Will and the Nature of Goodness

This piece explores the concept of free will as presented in early Christian writings, particularly focusing on its connection to genuine goodness and the implications for understanding God's role in human actions. The text delves into the argument that true goodness stems from choice, and the challenges this poses to the idea of divine intervention in human thought.

The Importance of Free Will

The core argument presented is that genuine goodness can only arise from free will. If individuals are compelled to be good, their actions lack moral value because they are not the result of personal choice. As stated in the text, "he who is good by his own choice is really good; but he who is made good by another under necessity is not really good, because he is not what he is by his own choice." (Source: Document: 1739759105915-3cgekr-anf08.txt)

This perspective highlights the significance of individual agency in the development of moral character. It suggests that the capacity to choose between good and evil is essential for the cultivation of authentic virtue.

God's Role and Human Responsibility

The text directly addresses the concern that God should have created humans incapable of evil. It frames this idea as a misunderstanding of free will. The argument is that by allowing humans the freedom to choose, God enables the possibility of genuine good.

Furthermore, the text pushes back against the idea that God influences all human thoughts, deeming such a notion blasphemous. "For if we are under His influence in all that we think, you say that He is the cause of fornications, lusts, avarice, and all blasphemy." (Source: Document: 1739759105915-3cgekr-anf08.txt) This suggests that attributing negative actions directly to God undermines human responsibility and diminishes the concept of individual accountability.

God's Justice and Goodness

The document also touches upon the relationship between God's goodness and justice. It proposes that God's goodness is manifested in his patience and willingness to welcome those who repent, while His justice is displayed in His role as judge, rewarding and punishing according to deeds.

Our teacher Himself first said to the Pharisee who asked Him, What shall I do to inherit eternal life?' Do not call me good; for one is good, even the Father who is in the heavens;' and straightway He introduced these words, But if thou shalt wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.' (Source: Document: 1739759105915-3cgekr-anf08.txt)

This separation allows for a nuanced understanding of God's character, acknowledging both his mercy and his fairness.

The Problem of Worshipping Created Things

The text also addresses the issue of worshipping created things instead of the Creator. It points out the folly of worshipping the sun, moon, earth, or even humans, as was practiced in some cultures.

The argument here is that the things being worshipped are passive and subject to the will of the worshipper. "For it is not the thing that is worshipped that sins; for it suffers violence at the hands of him who will worship it." (Source: Document: 1739759105915-3cgekr-anf08.txt) This highlights the importance of directing worship towards the ultimate source of creation and goodness, rather than towards created entities.

Conclusion

The exploration of free will in this text emphasizes its fundamental role in the development of genuine goodness and in understanding the relationship between humanity and God. By granting humans the freedom to choose, God allows for the possibility of authentic virtue and assigns responsibility for actions to individuals. This framework offers a compelling perspective on the nature of good and evil, the importance of personal agency, and the character of the divine.