The following is a letter that I wrote in response to a question asked by a friend, I hope that its information and explanation of this controversial issue will be a benefit to you. If you have any questions or arguments I would be happy to hear from you. Thank you for your time...
Wow, we have been writing for more than three years and the first theological question you ask me is, “do you believe in free will?” That is a LOADED question, but I am looking forward to giving you an answer. I first hope that no matter where I stand that it would not cause us to part in anyway.
To answer your question in short. “No.” If this does not suffice I will attempt to show where I have derived this. I am by no means an authority on this subject, and I still have several points to iron out. I am not always good at putting thoughts in the written form. So if I lose you, PLEASE ask me to clarify, and if you disagree please point it out to me so I can better show you what I mean. Now, with all that said, let me begin. As I have implied in the past I am an Augustinian (Calvinist.) Although I do not consider all of what either of them wrote or believe in it to its fullest extent. (Such as infant baptism.) When considering the two major division’s in the “free will controversy” there was first the Augustinian vs. Pelagianism and later it became known as Calvinism vs. Arminianism.
I used to hold very closely to the Arminian thought. This was due to the fact that I grew up in a Christian school that was very Arminian. Since then I have searched the scriptures and have found that my beliefs had been drastically taking away the power of God and reduced Him to a mere reactor to my decisions.
So to answer your question in its entirety. I must take you on a journey through my whole thought process so that I don’t leave you thinking I’m a freak. I will go through both the Biblical and logical thoughts from which I derive my view....