The Debate on Free Will

The debate on free will may fall into the category of Creation, because it is related to the understanding of human being and the relationship with God. It may also fit the category of New Creation, because it is also related to the redemption and salvation. St. Augustine had mentioned free will before Erasmus and Martin Luther. According to Augustine, individuals are free to choose between the way of Stan, which is sinful, and the way of God, which is good. He accepted free will and believed that people are personally responsible for their actions. However, according to Augustine, choosing to live a life free of sin doesn’t lead to eternal salvation. He argued that salvation was nothing to do with one’s action and is determined only by God’s grace.

On the basis of Augustine’s postulate, Erasmus and Luther hold two contrasting views over free will. According to Erasmus, he admitted God’s grace but he emphasized the role of human free will. Erasmus defined free will as “the power of the human will whereby man can apply to or turn away from that leads unto eternal salvation”.  In other words, with Erasmus, salvation is attained by two critical factors. One is God’s grace, and the other is human free will. That is, when God’s grace befalls, those who choose well in their lifetime will eventually enter heaven.

Contrarily, Luther denied free will. As he considered, “free will is like a beast of burden. If God rides it, it wills and goes whence God wills…if Satan rides, it wills and goes where Satan wills. The riders themselves contend who shall have and hold it.” The will Luther thought was enslaved and had no effect on being saved. Like Augustine, he believed that people were not able to know God and attain eternal life in heaven by their endeavors. In fact, there is nothing people can do. Salvation can be provided by God’s grace alone.

Erasmus idea is in line with Renaissance humanists’ great concern with human potential, while Luther’s view insisted on God of all glory. This thought-provoking debate let people think more about human being, the relationship with God and the way of salvation.