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How does Calvinism address the issue of free will?

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Calvinism teaches that human choices exist but are ultimately bound by nature and God's sovereignty (Luke 9:43-45).

Calvinism acknowledges the tension between divine sovereignty and human responsibility while asserting that human beings, in their unregenerate state, are unable to choose God without His intervening grace. Passages such as Jeremiah 13:23 and Romans 3:9-18 highlight humanity’s moral inability to pursue righteousness on their own. While humans do make conscious choices, these choices are constrained by their sinful nature and spiritual deadness. Thus, the Calvinist view affirms that true freedom is not the absence of limitation but the ability to act according to one’s nature. A person needs to be regenerated by the Holy Spirit to freely choose Christ. Consequently, moral accountability remains intact, as scripture clearly holds humanity responsible for their choices, regardless of their spiritual condition.
Scripture References: Luke 9:43-45, Jeremiah 13:23, Romans 3:9-18

Articles (1)

Bad Arguments Against Calvinism
Darryl Erkel · Feb 1, 2005
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