Free Will

Much of our behaviour is not freely chosen, eg sneezes, twitches, heartbeats, accidents. When we do freely choose what to do we perform ‘moral acts’, acts for which we must answer. We cannot perform moral acts if controlled by drugs or delusions, or other people or objects. But surely we are under God’s control, and doesn’t this mean we cannot ever perform moral acts? Doesn't God's power limit our freedom?

Drugs and the like restrict our freedom because they take control out of our hands, but God does not take things out of our hands. Rather, his effect on us is to place things firmlyin our hands and to bid us choose for ourselves—but to do so responsibly. In other words, God does not relate to us as an external controller and potential impediment to freedom but as the deepest source and guarantor of our freedom. The divine voice encourages us to avoid being coerced or manipulated by people, passions and potions and to dare to choose freely and responsibly. 'Freedom to choose responsibly' is what Christians mean by freedom.