The Freedom of the Will (Vol. 1-4)

The Freedom of the Will (Vol. 1-4)

Enriched edition. An Exploration of Divine Sovereignty and Human AutonomyBy Jonathan Edwards
Michael Caine
Listen with Sir Michael Caine™ and 1,000+ voices
Length15h 12m

About this audiobook

In "The Freedom of the Will," Jonathan Edwards engages in a profound exploration of the nature of human choice and divine sovereignty through a rigorous philosophical and theological lens. Written as a response to the prevailing views of free will during the early 18th century, Edwards meticulously dissects the intricacies of human action, arguing for a compatibilist interpretation that reconciles human freedom with the omnipotence of God. With an eloquent, yet accessible prose style, Edwards weaves together scriptural exegesis and rational argumentation, providing a comprehensive examination of moral agency that has influenced both theological discourse and contemporary debates on free will. Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) was an American theologian, preacher, and philosopher whose intellectual pursuits were shaped by the turbulence of his time, including the First Great Awakening. His engagement with the philosophical currents of his era, particularly those emerging from the Enlightenment, positions him as a pivotal figure in American religious thought. Edwards's own deep convictions and experiences as a preacher, grappling with the existential questions of sin and redemption, imbued his work with urgency and clarity. Readers seeking a deeper understanding of the intersection between faith and reason will find "The Freedom of the Will" an invaluable resource. It invites contemplation on the complexities of human existence and the nature of divine grace, making it essential reading for anyone interested in theology, philosophy, and the historical context of American thought. In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience: - A succinct Introduction situates the work's timeless appeal and themes. - The Synopsis outlines the central plot, highlighting key developments without spoiling critical twists. - A detailed Historical Context immerses you in the era's events and influences that shaped the writing. - An Author Biography reveals milestones in the author's life, illuminating the personal insights behind the text. - A thorough Analysis dissects symbols, motifs, and character arcs to unearth underlying meanings. - Reflection questions prompt you to engage personally with the work's messages, connecting them to modern life. - Hand‐picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance. - Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.

Audiobook details

Rating★★★★ 4.3 (1.6K)
Includes Goodreads, LibraryThing, Amazon, StoryGraph
GenrePhilosophy
Length15 hrs 12 mins
Narrated byListen with 1,000+ voices
FormateBook with Audio
Publish dateNov 18, 2023
LanguageEnglish

Table of contents

1Introduction
2Introduction
3Synopsis (Selection)
4Historical Context
5Author Biography
Show all chapters
6Preface
7Part I.
8Section 1. Concerning The Nature Of The Will.
9Section 2. Concerning The Determination Of The Will.
10Section 3. Concerning The Meaning Of The Terms Necessity, Impossibility, Inability, &C; And Of Contingence.
11Section 4. Of The Distinction Of Natural And Moral Necessity, And Inability.
12Section 5. Concerning The Notion Of Liberty, And Of Moral Agency.
13Part II.
14Section I. Showing The Manifest Inconsistence Of The Arminian Notion Of Liberty Of Will, Consisting In The Will's Self-Determining Power.
15Section 2. Several Supposed Ways Of Evading The Forgoing Reasoning, Considered.
16Section 3. Whether Any Event Whatsoever, And Volition In Particular, Can Come To Pass Without A Cause Of Its Existence.
17Section 4. Whether Volition Can Arise Without A Cause, Through The Activity Of The Nature Of The Soul.
18Section 5. Showing, That If The Things Asserted In These Evasions Should Be Supposed To Be True, They Are Altogether Impertinent, And Can't Help The Cause Of Arminian Liberty.
19Section 6. Concerning The Will's Determining In Things Which Are Perfectly Indifferent, In The View Of The Mind.
20Section 7. Concerning The Notion Of Liberty Of Will Consisting In Indifference.
21Section 8. Concerning The Supposed Liberty Of The Will, As Opposite To All Necessity.
22Section 9. Of The Connection Of The Acts Of The Will With The Dictates Of The Understanding.
23Section 10. Volition Necessarily Connected With The Influence Of Motives.
24Section 11. The Evidence Of God's Certain Foreknowledge Of The Volitions Of Moral Agents.
25Section 12. God's Certain Foreknowledge Of The Future Volitions Of Moral Agents, Inconsistent With Such A Contingence Of Those Volitions, As Is Without All Necessity.
26Section 13. Whether We Suppose The Volitions Of Moral Agents To Be Connected With Any Thing Antecedent, Or Not, Yet They Must Be Necessary In Such A Sense As To Overthrow Arminian Liberty.
27Part III.
28Section 1. God's Moral Excellency Necessary, Yet Virtuous And Praise-Worthy.
29Section 2. The Acts Of The Will Of The Human Soul Of Jesus Christ Necessarily Holy, Yet Truly Virtuous, Praise-Worthy, Rewardable, &C.
30Section 3. The Case Of Such As Are Given Up Of God To Sin, And Of Fallen Man In General, Proves Moral Necessity And Inability To Be Consistent With Blame-Worthiness.
31Section 4. Command, And Obligation To Obedience, Consistent With Moral Inability To Obey.
32Section 5. That Sincerity Of Desires And Endeavours, Which Is Supposed To Excuse In The Non-Performance Of Things In Themselves Good, Particularly Considered.
33Section 6. Liberty Of Indifference, Not Only Not Necessary To Virtue, But Utterly Inconsistent With It; And All, Either Virtuous Or Vicious Habits Or Inclinations.
34Section 7. Arminian Notions Of Moral Agency Inconsistent With All Influence Of Motive And Inducement, In Either Virtuous Or Vicious Actions.
35Part IV.
36Section 1. The Essence Of The Virtue And Vice Of Dispositions Of The Heart, And Acts Of The Will, Lies Not In Their Cause, But Their Nature.
37Section 2. The Falseness And Inconsistence Of That Metaphysical Notion Of Action, And Agency, Which Seems To Be Generally Entertained By The Defenders Of The Arminian Doctrine Concerning Liberty, Moral Agency, &C.
38Section 3. The Reasons Why Some Think It Contrary To Common Sense, To Suppose Those Things Which Are Necessary, To Be Worthy Of Either Praise Or Blame.
39Section 4. It Is Agreeable To Common Sense, And The Natural Notions Of Mankind, To Suppose Moral Necessity To Be Consistent With Praise And Blame, Reward And Punishment.
40Section 5. Concerning Those Objections, That This Scheme Of Necessity Renders All Means And Endeavours For The Avoiding Of Sin, Or The Obtaining Virtue And Holiness.
41Section 6. Concerning That Objection Against The Doctrine Which Has Been Maintained, That It Agrees With The Stoical Doctrine Of Fate, And The Opinions Of Mr. Hobbes.
42Section 7. Concerning The Necessity Of The Divine Will.
43Section 8. Some Further Objections Against The Moral Necessity Of God's Volitions Considered.
44Section 9. Concerning That Objection Against The Doctrine Which Has Been Maintained, That It Makes God The Author Of Sin.
45Section 10. Concerning Sin's First Entrance Into The World.
46Section 11. Of A Supposed Inconsistence Of These Principles, With God's Moral Character.
47Section 12. Of A Supposed Tendency Of These Principles To Atheism And Licentiousness.
48Section 13. Concerning That Objection Against The Reasoning, By Which The Calvinistic Doctrine Is Supported, That It Is Metaphysical And Abstruse.
49Conclusion
50Analysis

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