211 – Man’s Free Agency “1”

SEMESTER 1

211 – Man’s Free Agency “1”

BIBLE INSTITUTE OF CORRESPONDENCE

COURSE:  SOTERIOLOGY I LESSON # 11
THE FREE AGENCY OF MAN “1”

INTRODUCTION:

1. Nowhere is there more fuzzy thinking than in comparing sovereignty to responsibility unless in the comparison of sovereignty to man’s free agency.
2. Many contend that the Bible doctrine of election, and that of free agency are altogether antagonistic.

III: The fact that Spurgeon saw unity in them.

I. FREE AGENCY OF MAN IS A BAPTIST DOCTRINE

1. Hear, on the tape, quotes from well-known Baptists of bygone days.
2. Some of these men cross and inter-define the terms free will and free moral agency.
3. This may or may not be a mistake, but for the purpose of this study I mean the free agency of man: So I give the following:

II. THE DEFINITION OF FREE AGENCY

1. Funk and Wagnall’s – “The power or capacity of acting freely; i.e., without constraint of the will.”
2. Webster – “Not determined by anything beyond one’s own nature or being; not necessitated by external cause or agency; choosing, or capable of choosing for one’s self; as a free agent.”
3. Consider some quotes by the following theological writers:

i. N.L. Rice
ii. J.M. Pendleton and Andrew Fuller
iii. A.H. Strong
iv. John Gill
v. Jonathan Edwards
vi. E.Y. Mullins

4. This does not exclude the presence or effect of outside forces.
5. Realize, however, that though outside forces change a man’s preferences, the changes are nevertheless in perfect keeping with his character, as it relates to those circumstances. (F.L.K)

III. FREE AGENCY CHOOSES BETWEEN ALTER­NATIVES

1. He may regard others but choose self first, thus sacrifice (freely) the option to do good for others.
2. He may be utterly selfish, yet (freely) choose to accommodate others because in a particular case it exalts his position.
3. In both cases, first preference has been altered, but in both cases final preference was according to true character and was acted out freely.