Freedom of the Will: A Wesleyan Response to Jonathan Edwards [Paperback]

Daniel D. Whedon (Author), John D. Wagner (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2009

A ny substantial contribution to the most difficult of all psychological and moral problems, the reconciliation of the sense of Responsibility with our intellectual conclusions regarding the nature of Choice, must be a service to a true psychology, a consistent theology, and a rational piety. It can hardly be expected that any single mind will at the present time so solve this problem, even with all the aids his predecessors in the discussion afford, as to leave nothing to his successors to elucidate. Yet the present writer would not offer this treatise to the public did he not believe that even to so ancient a debate he had furnished some new thoughts, and brought the difficulty nearer to a solution. Upon such a subject it is a matter of course that, agreeing or disagreeing, a writer would have something to say of President Edwards. Disagreeing with him fundamentally, the present writer has taken an unequivocal but respectful issue with that great thinker. Whether he has not demonstrated forever the existence of a number of undeniable fallacies in the Inquiry on the Will, fallacies that vitiate its most important conclusions, it is for the reader to judge.
(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)

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Forgotten Books is a publisher of historical writings, such as: Philosophy, Classics, Science, Religion, History, Folklore and Mythology.

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--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 354 pages
• Publisher: Wipf & Stock Publishers (January 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556359810
• ISBN-13: 978-1556359811
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,847,147 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An Arminian Classic That Is A Must Read April 19, 2009

By Roy Ingle VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

John Wagner is to be thanked for taking time to edit this classic work by Daniel Whedon, a Methodist professor and theologian from the 19th century who was one of the first Arminians to respond to Jonathan Edwards' classic work THE FREEDOM OF THE WILL. Whedon's work shows the logical Arminian response to Edwards that is often lacking in much of the Arminian/Calvinist debate over the nature of human free will.

In essence, Whedon argues that God has bestowed, as a gift, human beings with freedom of the will. Whedon counters Edwards arguments both from Scripture and from philosophy. The book is no easy read but I think that Wagner has done a good job of editing the work so that modern readers can read the book and grasp Whedon's arguments.

The best part of this work is that Whedon counters Edwards arguments against free will point by point and argument by argument. Whedon leaves no stone unturned as he wrestles with Edwards divine deterministic theology. Whedon counters that Edwards arguments do more harm toward the character of God than good and he shows that if we accept Edwards position of divine determinism than we must conclude that God is the author of sin (He caused Adam to sin in Genesis 3) and that God's love and righteousness are destroyed in the process.

Overall, this is a must read for both Arminians and Calvinists. Calvinsits will find an Arminian who answers Edwards deep thinking with his own deep thinking and will challenge the Calvinist arguments against free will. Arminians will find a strong basis for their faith. A great book for any serious theological student of God's Word.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Daniel D. Whedon's "Freedom of the Will" December 22, 2010

By William W. Birch

Format:Paperback

We are indebted to John D. Wagner for editing and bringing to light Daniel D. Whedon's "Freedom of the Will: A Wesleyan Response to Jonathan Edwards." Daniel Whedon's labor is a much-needed balance to Jonathan Edwards' (and other Calvinists') over-reaction to the truth of the bondage of the will, which, in their view, necessitates a monergistic view of God's saving act towards an alleged unconditionally elected people. In turn, this brand of Calvinistic thought also constrains one to adopt a "necessitarian conception of God." (259)

In the final analysis of an Edwardsian (and hence Calvinistic) theology, God Himself is held captive by a fixed determinism: "God is thus an infinite substance, with no power but to be passively moved as external causation acts upon him. Necessity takes her standpoint outside and presses her causative forces on his being." (259) But is this view substantiated by Scripture? Whedon argues otherwise.

Whedon's contribution to the continuing conversation regarding God and His collaboration with humanity is invaluable. His arguments against and answers to the theories put forth by Edwards and others will more than satisfy the objective reader.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Whedon's Freedom of the Will March 31, 2009

By Godismyjudge

Format:Paperback

John Wagner recently edited and republished Daniel Whedon's Freedom of the Will: A Wesleyan response to Jonathan Edwards. The book is an outstanding refutation of Edward's Inquiry into the Will. Whedon seeks and engages top authors and arguments like Hobbs' argument (latter adopted by Locke and Edwards) that free will is incoherent, because it either amounts to a causeless cause or infinite regression of causes. Whedon responds by pointing out 1) the will is the cause of choice (74), 2) defining indeterministic causes (38-39) and 3) explaining that indeterministic causes account for either choice (71-72). In other words, indeterministic causes explain the goal of our choices (or reason for our choices), but in the will is the cause we choose this goal, not that goal. This is essentially agent causation.

Whedon's discussion of foreknowledge is fascinating. His refutation of Edwards' God's foreknowledge rules out freewill argument is solid. I like his pointing out that we don't know how God knows the future (229). I really like his moderate use of Molinism (245, 256). He enters an interesting discussion about the difference between certainty and necessity. Apparently Calvinists split in reaction to Hobbs. Some (like Edwards) argued the future is necessary. Others said it is not necessary, but it's certain. Whedon argues that certainty is equal to necessity if in every possible world the thing never happens (190-191).

Whedon's response to Edwards is devastating. He points out that Edwards view of freedom is post-volitional, not freedom of the will (17). Edward's notion of freedom is accurate, but incomplete and irrelevant to the Calvinist/Arminian debate. Whedon explains that that the three types of necessity (causal, logical and temporal) are all necessity. (33) Edwards attempts to split necessity into various categories is one of the ways he goes way off course. Whedon argues that saying "I can do X" implies "I can choose to do X" (209). Whedon exposes Edwards error of attempts to split them and then usurp the common notion of freedom based only on "I can do X". Whedon explains that choice makes the strongest motive and the last judgment of reason strongest and last (57).

I am glad John brought Whedon back. It's good to see such as strong Arminian response to Edwards, as I have often heard the claim that Edwards is unanswered.