In 1980, DEVO released an album called “Freedom of Choice”. The title song included these nuggets of intellectual thought:
A victim of collision on the open sea
Nobody ever said, life was free
Sink, swim, go down with the ship
But use your freedom of choice
Tough to debate, I know. Unless you are a fan of DEVO or deeper cuts from 80’s new wave records, you may not remember this song. But everyone has heard “Whip It”, also on the same album. Admit it, you’re singing it in your head right now, aren’t you? At some point, suits at Warner Brothers records in collusion, er, cooperation with program directors, chose Whip It as the potential radio hit. They were right, of course. But we can’t know if other songs on the album would have garnered airplay, because they were not chosen. Decision makers, based on experience, knowledge, gut feeling (song title from DEVO’s first album, BTW), and probably a few intangibles, freely chose Whip It. But how free was their actual choice?
In theological circles, the concept of free will is oft discussed. And it is generally accepted that man does have free will; we are not robots or puppets that act according to programming or tugged strings. What is also acknowledged, particularly in the reformed tradition, is that while we have free will, our wills are trained or conditioned, thereby limiting what we would freely choose. Fallen man, apart from the redemptive work of Christ, will make choices from a depraved soul. This is the “T” in the 5 points of Calvinism. We are told in the Bible sobering things about our natural condition. To name a few, our intentions are continually evil (Gen. 6:5) and hearts deceitful and wicked (Jer. 17:9). We are told that no one is righteous or understands, no one seeks God or does good (Rom. 3:10-12). This tells us that our free will isn’t as free as we think or may like it to be.
To truly be free, we need to know and abide in Jesus, the Truth personified (John 8:31-32, John 14:6). We are told that when the Son sets us free, we are free indeed (John 8:36). This means not only free from the bondage of sin, but also free to choose life (Deut. 30:19). Choices have consequences; some more significant than others. Geddy Lee, learned sage of yore, proclaimed, “If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice”. This day, what, or more importantly Who, will you choose? (Josh. 24:15)
FYI:
Excellent explanation of Reformed Theology from John Piper
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/what-we-believe-about-the-five-points-of-calvinism
Should you Whip It? Find out with this helpful chart.
