Writer Steve Schramm explores determinism and freewill, looking at what the Bible, philosophy and Christian history say about divine sovereignty

Christians do not disagree that God has a measure of control over the Universe he created. There is marked disagreement, however, on what the nature of that control is and how far it extends.

Does God predetermine everything that happens? Does God control the world as though all are mere puppets in a stage performance? Or perhaps does God allow us to make our own choices and let the chips fall where they may? Or something else?

This is an age-old question that will not be settled by this entry, but some clarity around this question will certainly help.

In mainstream Christian circles, there are four primary views on the question of divine sovereignty; within them, even more nuance could be discussed. Here, we will consider the broad strokes of Calvinism, Arminianism, Open Theism and Molinism, and will clarify the… (Register to read the rest of the article)