Free Will as a Divine Gift
Christianity views free will as a fundamental aspect of human nature, bestowed by God. This concept is crucial in understanding the relationship between humanity and the divine.
What is free will in Christianity is often explained as the ability to make choices independently, including the choice to have a relationship with God. Many Christians believe that this freedom is essential for a meaningful connection with the divine.
Quote: "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." (Genesis 1:27)
This verse underscores the concept of Imago Dei, suggesting that humans possess attributes similar to God, including the capacity for free will.
Highlight: The idea of free will is closely tied to the Christian understanding of human nature and our special place in creation.
Christians believe that free will allows humans to:
- Think and reflect on everything
- Make free and moral decisions
- Create and form relationships
Example: St. Augustine described how humans have a moral conscience and are free to make choices, even though God knows everything, including future events.
The Fall and Original Sin
The story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden illustrates the consequences of misusing free will. This event, known as The Fall, is central to understanding the Christian concept of sin.
Definition: Original Sin is the belief that the sin committed by Adam and Eve is inherited by all subsequent generations of humans.
The Fall demonstrates how free will can lead to disobedience and sin. Why did God give us free will if he knew we would sin is a question that often arises in this context. Many Christians believe that free will is necessary for genuine love and relationship with God, even if it allows for the possibility of sin.
Vocabulary: The Fall refers to the first man and first woman's disobedience of God's instructions, resulting in sin entering the universe.
Two Christian teachings about original sin include:
- All humans are born in sin because of The Fall
- Human nature is flawed or corrupted and requires God's intervention for salvation
St. Augustine's perspective on free will and sin is particularly influential in Christian thought. He believed that while human free will was weakened by sin, it was not entirely destroyed.
Highlight: The concept of Original Sin provides a framework for understanding the connection between human free will and the universal presence of sin in humanity.
