Review of the Freedom of the Will by Jonathan Edwards

Jonathan Edwards’ book, the Freedom of the Will, is often cited by Calvinists as the definitive work on the topic. I enjoyed reading it. Edwards demonstrates in depth knowledge of scripture, church fathers, scholastics, and Arminian theologians on the topics of freewill, putting him in an ideal position to address the subject. Although I disagree with Edwards’ conclusions, I have no hesitation in recommending the book as an excellent primary source for understanding the Calvinist position on the will.

Edwards’ book on the Will and Owen’s book on Christ’s death are considered key pillars within Calvinist systematic theology. Unlike Owen, Edwards’ style is quite readable. Sure, at times he’s long winded and repetitive, but he’s not as tough a read as Owen. For the most part he’s articulate and engaging. Additionally, unlike Owen, Edwards is not hostile towards Arminians, just Arminianism.

Edwards broke his book down into 4 parts, with multiple sections each. The first part defines some key terms and lays out Edward’s views on the will. In the second and third parts, which comprises the lion’s share of the work, Edwards critiques libertarian freewill (LFW). In the second part, Edwards attempts to demonstrate that LFW is incoherent and in the third part Edwards endeavors to show that LFW isn’t necessary for responsibility. In the fourth and final part, Edwards provides what he sees are the reasons people mistakenly adopt LFW and he also further defends his views on the will.

I plan on critiquing Edwards’ view of the will first and then responding to Edwards’ arguments. For more on Edwards, here’s a good site. (link) For his book, the Freedom of the Will, here’s a site. (link)

Comments

Rev. said…
Edwards just regurgitated Augustine. :)
April 24, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Anonymous said…
"Edwards just regurgitated Augustine."

And would that be the **early** Augustine who held the correct view on the will, LFW. The view which the vast majority of Christians have held throughout church history, whether they be Catholics, Protestants, Eastern Orthodox, or Independents.

Or would that be the **later** Augustine who in fighting againt Pelagius went to the extreme and denied LFW and invented calvinistic doctrines? The later position which was adopted and regurgitated by the reformers like Calvin and Luther and later defended by Edwards? The position which is false and unbiblical and divides the church today?

Robert
May 6, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Godismyjudge said…
Dear Robert,

I confess I'm not an expert on the "latter Augustine", but I am somewhat familiar with him. On my to do list there's a comment Arminius made about Augustine that I wanted to follow up on. Arminius said:

"4. Are those who are thus the reprobate necessarily damned, because either no grace at all, or not sufficient, has been destined to them, that they may assent to it and believe,

5. Or rather, according to St. Augustine, Are those who are thus the elect assuredly saved, because God decreed to employ grace on them as he knew was suitable and congruous that they might be persuaded and saved; though if regard be had to the internal efficacy of grace, they may not be advanced or benefited by it"

Arminius on Augustine

Arminius described Augustine's view of grace in Molinisitic terms. I don't know if that's right, but at some point in life I would like to check into it. If Arminius was right, it would go a long way to reconcling Augustine's use of the term freewill with his understanding of election.

God be with you,
Dan
May 6, 2008 at 9:29 PM
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