John Lennox Refutes Calvinism | Leighton Flowers | Free Will | Determinism

John Lennox explains why determinism (naturalistic or otherwise) does not compute with Christianity. God has given us libertarian free will and the ability to choose to repent and believe in Christ or not.

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[Kingdom_Focused]

Big fan of John Lennox. The way he describes the depth and vastness of our Creator, and His love toward all humans ... it's a beautiful thing to sit and truly grasp. God bless you guys

[tkmac]

As a Chinese
I became a Christian after 7 years of living & rejecting Christ in US, not because I had a free will to choose, but because the Father drove me to His only Son in that night and then I began to experience the love of Christ & the love Christian brothers/sisters.
Btw, it took me many years of learning the providence and the holiness of God.!
God bless & thank you!

[ChristineKenyon]

John Lennox is AMAZING!! So glad you are featuring him Leighton!!

[ryanjamesc]

I don’t just love John Lennox, I respect the man’s grasp on the character and attributes of God!

[CN-dsvc]

John Lennox is among the best carriers of the truth, the word of God

[johnthaxton]

I think it’s important to remember a few things when considering the so called Calvinist view.
1. Calvinists believe Adam and Eve’s free will situation was different than ours. They were free to obey or sin. Since then Calvinists believe the consequences of sin corrupted everything including our will. Now we make free and real choices but pre-regeneration, we are incapable of choosing not to sin.
2. A second thing I would ask to be considered is our condition in the eternal state. We will be perfectly free to choose only what is in accordance with God’s will and we will not sin. Does Leighton believe we will be capable of sinning? Will we be moral “robots” then? I bet his answer is we will not be robots. So a situation exists where we agree that we will be perfectly free to choose but sin will not be an option.
3. God is sovereign over our wills in such a way that our choices are still free. Consider how we pray for someone’s salvation. We are asking God to effectively interfere with what they will such that they change their will from unbelief to belief.

[elroyswarts]

It is always good to hear from brilliant men like John Lennox. He is one of the best Apologists of our time. At the same time I don't agree that the Bible teaches both free will as well as the concept of the sovereignty of God, as defined by Calvinists. The Bible definitely teaches the concept of the sovereignty of God, but it does not mean meticulous control, and it doesn't absolve human responsibility. There is only conflict or contradiction between the two positions if the word "sovereignty" is defined as meticulous control, which is what Calvinism teaches. I feel that people should stop saying that the Bible teaches both positions because while free will is certainly found througout the Bible, most of the time what they mean by both positions are taught is that the Calvinistic definition of the word sovereign is also taught in the Bible, and it clearly isn't. It is not a matter of both positions being in the Bible and we just don't know how to harmonize the two. That's simply not true. All throughout the Bible we see God relinquishing control of things and holding man responsible for what He entrusted them with doing or accomplishing. What we don't see is God controlling absolutely everything all the time.

[markbrotherson]

If God is omniscient, then he must know what you choose before you choose. By definition, this is true. I've heard it put that you still choose with free will, God just knew what you'd choose. May you be blessed in your journey with Christ.

[davidacharles]

The Reformation did not deny free will. Rather, like Scripture, it taught that the fallen humanity "hath wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation" because mankind is now "dead in sin.." and therefore in need of God's grace.

[keithsturgill]

To really love someone, there must be the ability to choose to “not love” someone.

[Letstalktheology]

The more I learn about Calvinism, the more it becomes clear it’s just not a tenable doctrinal stance.

[edwardwicks]

Dr. Lennox is brilliant!! I love listening to him. He's an excellent defender of the faith.

[ic]

"... but is longsuffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" 2nd Peter 3:9

[donmac]

My father was born in Antrim county, North Ireland and I was also born in a Christian home such as John Lennox. His story is so interesting as my life was with the beauty of my father and Dr. Lennox.

[hewis]

I have doubts about free will. I was 7 or 8 when I went to Sunday school, and I can’t explain the passion and the love for God I had. It was almost an obsession that I still have to this day, but I can't claim I chose God. I didn't have the capacity to decide at that age and I still can't shake it out of me. I believe God chooses us, not the other way around.

[bettymofokeng]

Dr John is interesting to listen to, he is a great communicator

[tuffy]

Dr Lennox is a brilliant scientist who has made his life's work to give all who are interested the wisdom and knowledge that help us become better Christians and go towards the salvation Jesus has promised us. His amazing education and erudition help us from the basics to grow in faith and love for our Creator. A blessed man, how lucky we are to have him today among us!!!!Long life, professor. God bless you!!!

[cherithcampbell]

One balanced comment was explained to me a few years ago. When we face the cross for salvation the call is 'whosoever will may come', for God is not willing that any should perish.
Then when we get saved + look back to the cross, 'chosen before the foundation of the world', also no one came to God unless they're drawn, and subsequently respond. We have free will to reject the wooing of our heart. It takes His wooing because in our sin we're spiritually dead and cannot understand the spiritual things of God. 'The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God, for they are spiritually discerned'...
I think there's a balance + the extremes of either Calvanism or Arminianism should be avoided. There's merit + blessings in both.

[Sojourner-cdgo]

Dr. Lennox is absolutely brilliant. I've seen a few of his talks with students at colleges last year and followed his talks ever since. I've gone deeper in my study in this area, thanks to him. I don't know anything about Calvinism, I just know what scripture says.

[ajcrawshaw]

On free will: As some with ADHD when I take my medication it gives me more ability to make choices. Having experienced the difference between limited choices and more choices, I’m baffled by determinists who say there are no real choices we make. There’s literally a pill I can take that gives me the ability to regulate my attention and where I put my focus.