WJEC/Eduqas RS for A2/Yr2: Religion and Ethics (DRAFT)

WJEC / Eduqas Religious Studies for A Level Year 2 and A2 Religion and Ethics

Another line of argument is that holy texts do not suggest that free will could be reconciled with beliefs about predestination. Candidates can explore this point from several different religious traditions or a candidate could just concentrate on one tradition. For example, in the Bible it states in Romans 8:29: ‘For those God foreknew he also predestined…’ Therefore, this Biblical verse is clearly illustrating that human beings lives are clearly predestined. Therefore, predestination and free will cannot be reconciled because some holy texts clearly illustrate predestination. However, a candidate could refer to a variety of religious texts to counter the above. For example, in Matthew 7 Jesus gives an analogy that ‘healthy trees cannot produce diseased fruit’. This verse has been interpreted as reconciling predestination and free will. This is because this verse is making it clear that a human being has to choose to do good works or sin. However, once a human being freely starts down the path of righteousness (becomes a healthy tree) they cannot turn away from election (produce diseased fruit). Therefore, predestination and free will can be reconciled because some holy texts illustrate they can. Another line of argument is that God’s attributes do not suggest that free will could be reconciled with beliefs about predestination. Some theologians would argue that God has the characteristics necessary to predestine. God is omnipotent, omniscient, absolute sovereign, etc., therefore predestination is possible. What can be doubted, however, is free will, because if God is sovereign then nothing can happen without God’s will or knowledge. If human choice has already been decreed then it is no choice in the real sense of the word at all. Therefore, predestination and free will cannot be reconciled because God’s characteristics suggest predestination. However, it could be argued that God has the power to give human beings free will, but also predestine certain events. Therefore, reconciling the two concepts. God gives human beings free will so that human beings can choose to love Him. However, because of God’s omnibenevolent nature He will also occasionally intervene in certain circumstances to predetermine an event with a miracle. This was an idea supported by Richaed Swinburne. Therefore, predestination and free will concepts can be reconciled.

DRAFT

AO2 Activity Now you’ve read through this line of argument can you do the following: 1. For each line of argument try to evaluate whether or not you think this is strong or weak. 2. Think of any questions you may wish to raise in response to the arguments. 3. Can you evaluate here by drawing a mini conclusion about the degree to which beliefs about free will can be reconciled with beliefs about predestination. This activity will help you to start thinking critically about what you read and help you to evaluate the effectiveness of different arguments and from this develop your own observations, opinions and points of view that will help with any conclusions that you make in your answers to the AO2 questions that arise.

Determinism and free will are compatible.

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