Free Will?, Part 2

Shawn McCraney teaches that true Christian love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13, emphasizes selflessness and putting God and others before oneself, acknowledging that in our earthly experience, we only have partial knowledge. While selfless agape love nurtures the spirit and holds eternal value in the afterlife, it often lacks tangible rewards in this world, which tends to favor self-centeredness; however, living by selfless love involves eternal rewards, whereas self-centered actions may more readily bring worldly rewards.

Shawn's teaching emphasizes the significant theological debate between monergism and synergism regarding free will in Christianity, highlighting that early church scholars such as Justin Martyr advocated for synergism, where humanity has the freedom to choose good or evil and receive corresponding consequences. By examining early apostolic teachings, he argues that understanding this debate is crucial for contemporary Christian views on God and moral accountability.

Human beings and angels were created by God with free will, allowing them to choose between good and evil; this free agency makes individuals responsible for their actions and subject to reward or punishment according to their choices. This theological perspective is supported by early Christian thinkers like Justin Martyr, Tatian, Athenagoras, and Irenaeus, who emphasize the moral accountability of creatures with the ability to exercise freedom of choice, leading to just consequences based on their moral decisions.

Irenaeus teaches that human beings and angels have been given the power of free will, allowing them to choose good or evil, and thus, individuals are justly rewarded or condemned based on these choices. He emphasizes that goodness is a matter of conscious choice rather than inherent nature, highlighting the importance of following divine guidance, staying vigilant, and performing good deeds to receive glory and honor.

Human free will is emphasized as a gift allowing individuals the power to choose between belief and unbelief, as God exhorts humans to obey Him without coercion while still maintaining their freedom to disobey. Though all actions are permitted, they may not always be beneficial, highlighting the importance of choosing rightly, not just in deeds but also in faith, as these choices determine spiritual outcomes such as eternal life.

Strive earnestly and with purpose for the kingdom of heaven, as those who actively pursue and value it through struggle will find it more honorable and rewarding. This pursuit aligns with training oneself in faith and love for God, understanding the contrast between earthly and heavenly experiences, and maturing spiritually to fully appreciate and enjoy eternal life.

The teachings emphasize that humans are endowed with free will, enabling them to choose between obedience and disobedience, with individual choices directly leading to consequences such as rewards or punishments. While God provides the assistance needed for righteous living, it is ultimately up to each person to employ their free choice to seek righteousness or face the consequences of their voluntary sinful actions.