Liberty, Necessity, and Blasphemy: Exploring Free Will and Divine Influence

This blog post delves into a fascinating discussion about free will, divine influence, and the nature of good and evil. It examines arguments presented against the idea of human freedom and explores the implications of attributing all thoughts and actions to a higher power.

The Argument for Free Will

The core argument centers around the idea that genuine goodness stems from choice. As the text states, "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 suggests that moral value is intrinsically linked to the ability to choose between different courses of action. Without free will, actions become predetermined, and the concept of moral responsibility becomes questionable.

The Problem of Divine Causation

A counter-argument arises: "everything that we think He makes us to think." This raises a significant issue: If all thoughts originate from a divine source, can humans be held accountable for their actions? The text directly confronts this, stating, "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). Attributing the origin of all thoughts, including evil ones, to God leads to the problematic conclusion that God is the ultimate cause of sin.

The Charge of Blasphemy

The text strongly cautions against this line of reasoning, labeling it as blasphemous. It urges individuals to "cease your evil-speaking, ye who ought to speak well of Him, and to bestow all honour upon Him" (Source: Document: 1739759105915-3cgekr-anf08.txt). This highlights the importance of maintaining a respectful and honorable view of the divine, even when grappling with complex theological questions.

Honour and Thankfulness

The discussion extends to the concept of honour and thankfulness. The text addresses the idea that God might not claim any honor. However, it argues that even if this were the case, "you ought to look to what is right, and to answer with thankful voice Him who does you good in all things" (Source: Document: 1739759105915-3cgekr-anf08.txt). This suggests that gratitude and respect are due, regardless of whether they are explicitly demanded. The emphasis is on recognizing and appreciating the benefits received.

Conclusion

The exploration of free will and divine influence reveals the challenges in reconciling human agency with the power of a higher being. The text underscores the importance of free choice in defining true goodness and cautions against attributing the source of all thoughts, especially evil ones, to God. Ultimately, it calls for a balanced perspective that acknowledges both divine benevolence and human responsibility.