Will Humans Have Freewill in Heaven?

[Randy Carson]

As Jimmy Akin opines here, there are two options:

1. We are no longer able to choose sin. This still allows for free will in that we may choose between different "goods".

But to choose anything but the option that produces the maximum Good would be a bad, a sin. So there can only ever be one option, which contradicts the notion of free will.

Why?

I have two choices: I can give a dollar to a homeless person (a small good) or I can sell all my possessions, give the money to the poor, and join him (a greater good)? How have I done evil by choosing to do the small good rather than the greater good?

No, Jesus spoke of us being rewarded to varying degrees, so one who does the small good will get a smaller reward...but a reward nonetheless.

You were simply wrong on this point.

2. Your (3). While choosing "bads" might still be possible, who would want to do so?

Shotgun Blackmail: "Do what I want or else!"

How so? Everyone in heaven is there because of their love for God and their desire to do His will. There is no shotgun blackmail when we are eager to serve God.

You were simply wrong on this point.

Akin's 2/Your 3 does not call into question why this world was created. God created us to know and love Him, and it is here in this life that we are given an opportunity to make a free commitment--or not. Akin draws this analogy:


God values it, too.

I hope you will take a couple of minutes to read Akin's article in its entirety.

1) How is the love from a hostage at gun point any more real than a Stepford wife? I'd suggest it would be less so, since at very least the Stepford Wife cannot experience fear unless you want her to.

Is this the situation you feel we are currently in? That God is holding a gun to our heads and threatening us with hell if we don't do as he says?



Then let me ask you this: if this is the resentment you feel towards God under the current situation (with God being "silent" as some here claim), imagine how much more resentment you and others would feel if God were to make Himself more known to us AS FOLKS ARE ROUTINELY DEMANDING IN THIS FORUM.

I love it when atheists finally reach the Christian position by use of their own reasoning and logic.

2) I don't know about you, but when I met my partner I just asked him out, I didn't suspend him over a lake of fire by his ankles waving a book at him screeching "Love me or Burn!!!"

Fair enough. However, when the clock runs out on this earth, you're either with God or you aren't. It was nice of God to tell us of the next chapter and to provide the means (Jesus) by which it may go well once we turn the page.

The difference between us is this: YOU choose to focus on the stick; I tend to focus on the carrot.