How does free will relate to salvation in Christianity?
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In historic Reformed theology, free will is seen as enslaved by sin, meaning individuals cannot truly choose God without first being regenerated.
From a historic Reformed perspective, free will is understood not as an inherent ability to choose God, but rather as a will that is in bondage to sin. According to scripture, natural man's heart is inclined toward rebellion and does not seek God (Romans 3:10-11). This reality underscores the necessity of the new birth, whereby the Holy Spirit regenerates the individual, enabling faith and repentance. Therefore, while human choice is involved in responding to God, it is undergirded by God's sovereign grace, which ultimately initiates the process of salvation and grants the ability to respond favorably.
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