Was Adam Imparted Free Will From The Beginning Of Creation?

[Kermos]

Was Adam imparted free will from the beginning of Creation?

The Word of God indicates no based upon both scriptural text and context.

The following is carefully presented proof establishing Adam was formed with intent not endowed with free will.

1. God issued prophecy about man eating the fruit (Genesis 2:17)
   AT the time God commanded the man, Adam, not to eat of the tree
   AND the consequence of disobedience is declared - that is that death of the man would result in eating from the tree
   YET a command does not convey ability (see also God's Commands Distinguised From Man's Ability)
   BUT the language contains a prophetic construct indicating assurance of occurrence - "for in the day that you eat" - the "for" is promissory
   NOT a conditional logic construct such as "if in the day that you eat"
   IN fact, the English word "for" is translated from the Hebrew word כִּ֗י (ki)
   AND the Hebrew word כִּ֗י™ (ki) contains the meanings of these English words "that", "for", "when" (Strong's Hebrew: 3588. כִּ֗י (ki) -- that, for, when)
   THEREFORE the word "when" fits where the word "for" resides in Genesis 2:17
   THUS the phrase "when in the day that you eat" is an accurate translation for Genesis 2:17
   SO this confirms the promissory nature, the prophecy of man eating the fruit, with the word "for"/"when" in Genesis 2:17
   AND this imposes contextual certainty indicating God's foreknowledge over the matter described in Genesis 2:17
   SO there is no free will indicated for Adam
   AND the firm fact is established
   THAT God reigns in the affairs of man (Daniel 4:34-35)
2. Attributes/Characteristics Compared And Contrasted
   1. Examining attribute as relating to the purported facility of free will in Adam
      WITH a targeted result of logical deductive reasoning leveraging compare and contrast of attributes/facilities
      SINCE Adam was made in the image according to the likeness of God (Genesis 1:26)
      THEN some persons of the creation (creatures) argue that specific facility was given to Adam
      IN particular God willpowering purported free will into man during the creation of Adam
      THEN Adam could not have used free will to perform evil against God
      BECAUSE God will not use willpower in order to perform evil against God's self (Psalm 5:4, Psalm 92:15, Deuteronomy 32:4)
      THEREFORE it follows that Man could not use free will in order to perform evil against God
      1. The logical extension of free will on this basis results in man possessing expanded facilities beyond God's facilities
      2. God is Creator; on the other hand, man is creature
      3. Largely, I use free will to mean man choosing toward God, emphatically Lord Jesus Christ.
      4. Scripture does not include the mention of endowing Adam with free will
      5. Man's free will is a precept of man (Matthew 15:9)
   2. Adam as part of God's Plan of Redemption through the Christ for mankind before the foundation of the world
      SINCE God saw creation was very good on the 6th Day (Genesis 1:31)
      AND God's Plan of Redemption through the Christ for mankind is good (Ephesians 1:1-14,Ephesians 2:13)
      THEN a free will Adam could not have been roaming the Garden of Eden with the ability to choose to obey God's command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17)
      SINCE the only command carrying a punishment was the prohibition upon Adam against eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
      THUS a free will Adam could have disrupted God's Plan of Redemption through the Christ for mankind
      SO God could not conclude with certainty by declaring everything was good on the sixth day with a free will Adam in control roaming the Garden of Eden
      THEREFORE it follows that Adam could not be endowed with the attribute of free will
   3. The timeline of Adam knowing good and evil
      BEFORE Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
      THEN Adam and Eve knew not good and evil
      AFTER Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
      THEN Adam and Eve knew good and evil
      FOR the delineation is clarified when God said "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil" (Genesis 3:22)
      YET based on the Word of God saying "has become" recorded in Genesis 3:22
      THEN Adam did not know good and evil before eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
      SO Adam did not know good and evil when God issued the command "from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die!" (Genesis 2:17)
      THEREFORE at the time of eating, Adam listened and followed the last that he heard about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
      WHICH Adam heard from Eve
      FOR God said "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat from it'" (Genesis 3:17)
      SO Adam listened to Eve and Adam ate from the tree prior to knowing good and evil
      AND a person does good by obeying God; on the other hand, a person does evil by disobeying God
      SO free will choosing of good or choosing of evil is not the context
      AND action is the context
      SINCE good and evil are not known to Adam prior to eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil
      THEREFORE it follows that Adam was not endowed with the attribute of free will
   4. The attribute of "joining" - marriage
      1. Lord Jesus says a topically very profound statement of "from the beginning of creation, [God] made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and the two shall become one flesh; so they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together let no man separate." (Mark 10:6-9)
      2. "God has joined together" is a clear reference by Jesus to Christ and the Bride of Christ
      3. "God has joined together" is a clear reference by Jesus to marriage between "male and female" (creatures both)
      4. "God has joined together" is a clear reference by Jesus to Adam and Eve, the man and the woman
      5. God does the joining, while, on the other hand, man and woman are only the joyful recipients
      6. The facility of "joining" is not attributed to man and/or woman
      7. The facility of "joining" is attributed to God

For expanded topic coverage, please see this integral essay Almighty God's Awesome Creation In Amazing Splendor (not a ChristianityBoard.com link),

If anyone venture a reply to this thread, I encourage diligent care for it is written "do not add to His words or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar" (Proverbs 30:6).

May the Lord abound mercy and understanding and strength and grace in we His own for the Day approaches rapidly!

 

[bbyrd009]

"it's like this and
like that and
like this..."

 

[Timtofly]

If Adam lacked free will, then the OP had no other choice but start this thread.

Humans are not subject to each other, as that is not free will, but an impossibility. One cannot have the will just to be a boss until eventually an opposite is attracted.

Thus the premise of the OP is refuted. It is null and void, until the verse is found in Scripture "opposites attract". Otherwise the premise breaks the "not found in Scripture rule" in the OP, and is an addition to the Word of God.

Or the premise is an impossibility based on the posters interpretation.

Otherwise free will is the only ability whereby people can change their mind. Adam had free will, and it seems his wife could easily change it.

Now attempting to explain the mind of God, does that exist? Should it be explored, or is Satan the only one who is allowed to play with fire in the lake of fire? I guess if free will does not exist, those who deny it, just made the claim that God condemned all humans to hell before the creation of the world. Wait is that verse in the Bible? Is there any with free will able to answer that question? Or only those forced to object to free will?

 

[Enoch111]

The following is carefully presented proof establishing Adam was formed with intent not endowed with free will.

The Bible does not have to state explicitly that Adam had free will. The fact that he CHOSE to disobey God is sufficient.

 

[Stumpmaster]

Was Adam imparted free will from the beginning of Creation?

Simplicity is advisable, that's why I consider that without the God-given ability to obey or disobey, the creation of mankind would be a pointless exercise, and perhaps the following verse would read, "and God saw that everything He made was programmed to mechanically obey."
Gen 1:31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

 

[justbyfaith]

YET a command does not convey ability

Matthew 14:28-29.

SO there is no free will indicated for Adam

Then, there is no free will indicated for all of mankind. And therefore man is not responsible for his own sin. Thus, the day of judgment would have no basis in justice; it would be a kangaroo court. God would be putting people in hell who had no choice in the matter but to sin against Him.

 

[Timtofly]

Simplicity is advisable, that's why I consider that without the God-given ability to obey or disobey, the creation of mankind would be a pointless exercise, and perhaps the following verse would read, "and God saw that everything He made was programmed to mechanically obey."
Gen 1:31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

It was not just good, bad translation. It was Perfect, mature, able to produce on it's own, and good in God's sight. Complete without any need to evolve. On the 7th day it multiplied in a perfect state for 1000 years, while God watched. Then God planted a Garden, and took one of those created on the 6th day, and placed him in the Garden. He then named that human, Adam. That human had been perfect in a perfect world for 1000 years. 30 years after God placed Adam in the Garden, Adam listened to Eve, instead of God, and God changed the course of History. 4000 years later on a Cross, God at 33.5 years of age, Changed history again. It has been 1990 years, and history will end. There will be one last 1000 years of Perfection, not with Adam. BUT with Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

The first 1000 years there was free will to do as humans pleased without an evil result. When Adam disobeyed, the result of human choices would always be evil, and seldom good. It is not a matter of free will. The freedom for man to do as he pleased has never changed. It is the result that is changed in a world where both evil and good are knowledgeable. We know there is good, but all decisions, all biological functions tend to spiral downward to a point of evil. One bad fruit, can spoil the whole bunch. The more humans advance with easier technology, the more the masses suffer from that technology. There is no escape from bad happening. It is the result that is to blame, not the ability to exercise free will.

 

[GISMYS_7]

Adam chose to not obey God = Adam made the choice he was not forced!

 

[DPMartin]

Adam chose to not obey God = Adam made the choice he was not forced!

na, na na na, non of you get it, the choices where God's choices for Adam. eat those and live, eat that and die. God's command (conditions, covenant, agreement) God's choice. God didn't say eat of the tree and maybe we'll talk about it. one might forget that God made the man and then put him in the garden.

it was God's choice to let them continue in the flesh (dust to dust) not theirs, but the Life they had in the Presence of God they died from.

most don't understand or refuse to submit to the fact that God is not only the Creator He is also the Judge. Hence God is the Judge of what is good and evil for all of His creation and the creatures therein, no exceptions. therefore the serpent created the delusion like god they could judge what is good and evil not only for themselves but all that is at their hand.

but the commandment given Adam was Life and Adams judgement was death. they trusted and believed something other than God's Word, which is Life.

therefore if one is born to die, what choices are there, if one is to die anyway? unless God chooses to do otherwise with what is condemned already.

also freewill is a delusion of this society because the millions and billions in the rest of the world don't have the freedom to go do what they would like to. so those who live in governed territory where there is a concept of freedom think they are entitled it therefore think that its even God will. but these types of freedoms are in the same prison of condemnation as all men, but have nothing to do with God choice.

even when God told the children of Israel back in Moses' day to chose life, that was God's chose for them. Jesus the Life one is to receive to live in God's Presence is God's choice for the elect.

Noah was ten generations from Adam who found grace, Abraham was ten generation from Noah who was the man of faith, were the establishment of Grace and Faith and the bread and the wine was introduced as something the coming Christ was to fulfill. these are chosen, and if your God is the God of Noah and Abraham, He choses.

no one invites themselves to the Lord's table.

 

[GISMYS_7]

Genesis 2:16-17 16And the LORD God commanded him, “You may eat freely from every tree of the garden, 17but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.” === to obey or not to obey God=Adam's choice

 

[Stumpmaster]

It was not just good, bad translation. It was Perfect, mature, able to produce on it's own, and good in God's sight. Complete without any need to evolve. On the 7th day it multiplied in a perfect state for 1000 years, while God watched. Then God planted a Garden, and took one of those created on the 6th day, and placed him in the Garden. He then named that human, Adam. That human had been perfect in a perfect world for 1000 years. 30 years after God placed Adam in the Garden, Adam listened to Eve, instead of God, and God changed the course of History. 4000 years later on a Cross, God at 33.5 years of age, Changed history again. It has been 1990 years, and history will end. There will be one last 1000 years of Perfection, not with Adam. BUT with Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God.

The first 1000 years there was free will to do as humans pleased without an evil result. When Adam disobeyed, the result of human choices would always be evil, and seldom good. It is not a matter of free will. The freedom for man to do as he pleased has never changed. It is the result that is changed in a world where both evil and good are knowledgeable. We know there is good, but all decisions, all biological functions tend to spiral downward to a point of evil. One bad fruit, can spoil the whole bunch. The more humans advance with easier technology, the more the masses suffer from that technology. There is no escape from bad happening. It is the result that is to blame, not the ability to exercise free will.

Gnostic Nonsense.

 

[Webers_Home]

.
God knows more about our future than we do because free will doesn't come with a
right to privacy
_

 

[DNB]

Was Adam imparted free will from the beginning of Creation?

No, of course not. For, Adam was created on the 6th day, and the beginning of creation started on the 1st day.
Therefore, Adam was not endowed with free-will from the beginning of creation.

 

[101G]

Addressing the OP only, good post and good replies. but "Free Will" is also a desire, for they are Similar or synonyms with each other. and right in chapter 3 we have our answer. Genesis 3:6 "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat."

the choice, or the free will was to be wise. and it was a choice, "to make" ... one wise.

PICJAG.

 

[Rocky Wiley]

No, of course not. For, Adam was created on the 6th day, and the beginning of creation started on the 1st day.
Therefore, Adam was not endowed with free-will from the beginning of creation.

Adam was created on seventh day and so was the garden and farm animals.

 

[DNB]

Adam was created on seventh day and so was the garden and farm animals.

Oh no, not you again with your absurd theory about, something like mankind being different than man, or man being different than Adam? Either way, you built a completely radical and esoteric theory based on two or three verses of Scripture. You need to read a few books on hermeneutics, and then apply some sound and restrained exegesis, for only in this way will you become edified, and ultimately give glory to God.

 

[Rocky Wiley]

Oh no, not you again with your absurd theory about, something like mankind being different than man, or man being different than Adam? Either way, you built a completely radical and esoteric theory based on two or three verses of Scripture. You need to read a few books on hermeneutics, and then apply some sound and restrained exegesis, for only in this way will you become edified, and ultimately give glory to God.

Your belief does not let you explain the different races without evolution?

 

[Kermos]

If Adam lacked free will, then the OP had no other choice but start this thread.

Humans are not subject to each other, as that is not free will, but an impossibility. One cannot have the will just to be a boss until eventually an opposite is attracted.

Thus the premise of the OP is refuted. It is null and void, until the verse is found in Scripture "opposites attract". Otherwise the premise breaks the "not found in Scripture rule" in the OP, and is an addition to the Word of God.

Or the premise is an impossibility based on the posters interpretation.

Otherwise free will is the only ability whereby people can change their mind. Adam had free will, and it seems his wife could easily change it.

Now attempting to explain the mind of God, does that exist? Should it be explored, or is Satan the only one who is allowed to play with fire in the lake of fire? I guess if free will does not exist, those who deny it, just made the claim that God condemned all humans to hell before the creation of the world. Wait is that verse in the Bible? Is there any with free will able to answer that question? Or only those forced to object to free will?

That is a lot of conjecture by you, Timtofly, about Adam and free will.

It is written, "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,' declares the LORD. 'For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.'" (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Your thoughts are out of accord with the Word of God. You cannot legitimately point at ANY location in scripture that indicates that Adam had a free will.

Your lack of scripture citation says it all. Adam did not have free will.

 

[Kermos]

The Bible does not have to state explicitly that Adam had free will. The fact that he CHOSE to disobey God is sufficient.

That is you adding "free will" someplace about Adam, and that is called adding to scripture, Enoch111. No place, and I mean NO PLACE, does scripture state tha Adam CHOSE to disobey; therefore, you are adding to scripture which carries severe punishment.

Let's just take a look at item 2.3. in the original post. According to your premise, Adam would have had to know TO CHOOSE between good and evil prior to eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; in other words, Adam did not know the difference between good and evil until AFTER Adam ate of the tree (Genesis 3:22).

 

[Kermos]

Simplicity is advisable, that's why I consider that without the God-given ability to obey or disobey, the creation of mankind would be a pointless exercise, and perhaps the following verse would read, "and God saw that everything He made was programmed to mechanically obey."
Gen 1:31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Scripture does not state anything about a God-given ability to obey or disobey, so that is called adding to scripture about which the Apostle John proclaimed warning (Revelation 22:18-19).

It is written, "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,' declares the LORD. 'For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.'" (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Item 2.2. addresses your assertion about things being very good. God's Plan of Redemption through the Christ for mankind is good (Ephesians 1:1-14, Ephesians 2:13), and God's plan was clearly under way on the fifth day, so Genesis 1:31 makes sense.

Let us take a scriptural view of the creation account:

It is written "You our potter; And all of us are the work of Your hand" (Isaiah 64:8).

It is written "He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. You will say to me then, 'Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?' On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, 'Why did you make me like this,' will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? And [He did so] to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory' (Romans 9:18-23)

This leads to the point where God created Adam with "God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being" (Genesis 2:7).

The Potter formed Adam. Behold, there was no free will imparted to Adam.