This TLC has determined this conflict that rages between these two camps in Christianity. And although you might think I would be leaning towards determinism by the phrase which I used at the beginning, “This TLC has determined,” you would naturally think I would say that determinism has my vote; however, that is not completely accurate.
I am a big proponent of free will as evident throughout my whole life. See, I am “wherever the wind takes me” type of personality. Just ask anyone who knows me real good. Do you remember the old TV show “Highway to Heaven” that played in the United States 1984-1989? Well, I am sort of like Michael Landon who played the lead. Except that I am no angel! I haven’t been stripped of his wings with probation on earth. I am a real human being struggling to fulfill everyday life with the Holy Spirit as my guide until one day I will meet God surrounded by His heavenly angels. 😁
This is the only way I know how to live. Yet, when I was younger I knew that John Calvin (1509-1564) was a French theologian to whom believed in determinism. Not familiar with determinism? Well, in Christian spiritual realm, what determinism’s definition is that before one was born God had predestined or determined where one is going to spend the rest of eternity-either in one of two places, heaven or hell.
This, I began to think about. “Hmm… Is this possibly true? I already know that God is omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent. But… How do us human beings have free will in living our everyday lives?” I was thinking to myself. Then the Holy Spirit gently nudged me, “Perhaps, God created human beings with free will, but He knows which way human beings are going to act throughout all time… Through Adam and Eve to when Christ takes His final rule.”
This pubescent TLC finally had the answer to a question that has haunted Christians for centuries. However, this TLC chose to keep quiet until this present time, although I told a few close friends over the years.
God (even though He is deterministic in nature as far as humans are concerned) gives us free will so that we will freely choose Him while we are here on this earth. Hallelujah!!!
Here are YouTube videos that apply:
TrueLifeChristianity.com 