YOUR FREEDOM

JOURNAL QUESTION What is your image of God like? Is God more like: Judge Judy Dr. Phil A teddy bear Or your grandmother? Why?

FOR REVIEW: Humans have free will Adam and Eve had free will but abused it We have free will because it’s the only way God can honestly love us Free will is contrary to predestination

REVIEW (cont.) Predestination asserts that our salvation has already been figured out for us and that we have no say in the matter TULIP is a good way to remember the points of predestination What we believe about our free will impacts our decisions every day

FREEDOM OF INDIFFERENCE VS. FREEDOM FOR EXCELLENCE

FREEDOM OF INDIFFERENCE Put forward by William of Ockham in the 14th century Is based on a view of God as a supreme judge God’s will is free to do whatever God wishes We must follow God’s will or else we are sinning Our will is NOT connected to God’s will Morality is based on Obligations

FREEDOM FOR EXCELLENCE Put forward by Thomas Aquinas in 14th century It views God as a coach to help us become better people It views freedom like a muscle or a skill that develops Morality is based on the question of the absolute Good and Truth The goal of morality is for us to become happier As time goes on, we should understand better God’s will.