Free Will Is Logically Impossible (For Us) - Calvinism vs Arminianism

Consistent Calvinism Podcast

Episode 1 starts with one of the most hotly debated topics: Free Will. What is free will? Do we have it? CAN we have it? Is it logically possible for us to have it? My answer is NO!

I start off by defining what free will is by using the only definition that matters in this theological discussion: freedom from God. I then lay the foundation for the Calvinistic position with 3 key bible verses demonstrating the unavoidable reality that we are never metaphysically free from God. I explain why these 3 verses deny all forms of the ancient heresy known as deism and therefore leave no room for any degree of deism or dualism. The only possible worldview remaining is a worldview where God is in absolute control of everything that He has created at all times from start to finish.

I then delve into a long-winded section on the idea of "choice" and the nature of what it means for us to make choices in a finite realm. "Free Will" is not something we ever utilize in daily life when answering the question of why we did something, because it is actually not an answer at all. Instead, we always give deterministic, reality-based answers. Since choice for us in a finite realm is always a reaction to the situations we find ourselves in, we can conclude that God is the only truly free and autonomous being in existence.

I then refute the false assumptions that if Calvinism is true, and God controls all things, that we are then being forced by God to do things or are nothing more than puppets or robots. These false assumptions stem from ignoring that God not only controls what you do but also the fact that you want to do it. The idea of "force" is not strong enough to describe the level of control that God has over us.

I then explain why God can be the author and cause of all things, including sin, and yet not be a sinner Himself. I provide the Calvinistic answer (the only possible answer) to the problem of evil and address how God can be in control of what we do and still hold is responsible.

I follow this with a brief series of questions for the free will position to demonstrate that they do not have an actual answer to the problem of evil. To the free will position, it is a "mystery."

I then transition into a very long list of interesting questions that the free position needs to provide answers to. These questions are questions that need to be answered regardless of whether or not Calvinism is true or false. None of the questions should be answered by pointing at the Calvinist position.