John Edwards (1637–1716) on Human Free Choice and Divine Necessity : The Debate on the Relation Between Divine Necessity and Human Freedom in Late Seventeenth-Century and Early Eighteenth-Century England

7 Of course, one can see several studies on Luther and Calvin's doctrine of free choice. However, previous scholarship has been focusing only on these two early Reformers and thus other Reformers' view of free choice and especially that of the Reformed orthodox thinkers has been largely neglected. For the summary of previous scholarship on Luther and Calvin's understanding of free choice, see Kiven S. K. Choy, "Calvin's Defense and Reformulation of Luther's Early Reformation Doctrine of the Bondage of the Will" (PhD diss., Calvin Theological Seminary, 2010), 1 -29. 8 Thus, the analysis of the primary texts of the Reformed writers is largely absent in their works. Some of them attempt to examine the original texts to criticize the position of the classical Reformed thinkers. However, they regard Calvin, Zwingli or Jonathan Edwards as the representatives of the Reformed position on the issue and, without examining any scholastic orthodox thinkers, they deal with them only to vindicate their arguments. Consequently, ignoring the development of post-Reformation orthodoxy on the topic, they tend to reach the conclusion that since Zwingli, Calvin, or Jonathan Edwards are determinists, the whole Reformed tradition is deterministic. There are too many such cases to mention them all. For example, Reichenbach exemplifies Calvin and Jonathan Edwards to explain the Reformed doctrine of human will and identifies their positions with the whole Reformed tradition. Bruce R. Yeongmo Yoo Examines John Edwards’ (1637–1716) Doctrine Of Free Choice, Focusing On His Understanding Of The Relation Between Divine Necessity And Human Freedom. Even Though Free Choice Is An Important Theme In The History Of Reformed Theology, Reformed Teaching On Free Choice Has Gained Much Less Attention By Modern Scholars Than Other Reformed Themes Such As Faith, Grace And Predestination. Moreover, The Traditional Reformed Doctrine Of Free Choice Has Been Frequently Criticized As Metaphysical Or Philosophical Determinism By Modern Scholars. The Crux Of This Criticism Is The Claim That The Classical Reformed Doctrine Of Divine Necessity Such As Divine Decree, Providence, And Grace Rule Out Human Freedom Or Contingency Of Events In The World.filling The Historiographical Gap, Yoo Raises A Fundamental Question Concerning The Criticism Of The Reformed Doctrine Of Free Choice In Relationship To Divine Necessity As Determinism. Unlike The Deterministic Interpretation Of Traditional Reformed Thought On Free Choice, The Substantive And Careful Study Of Edwards’ Writings On Free Choice In The Intellectual Context Of The Seventeenth And The Eighteenth Century Shows That In Edwards’ View, Human Beings Retain The Natural Freedom From Compulsion And Freedom Of Contrary Choice Even After The Fall, And Divine Necessity Such As Decree, Predestination, And Foreknowledge Does Not Exclude Human Free Choice At All. Therefore, In So Far As Human Freedom And Contingencies Are Maintained By Edwards, Especially With Respect To Divine Necessity, His Thought Does Not Conform To The Stereotype Of Reformed Theology As A Deterministic System. Consequently, The Examination Of Edwards’ View Of Free Choice Points Toward The Need For A Broad Reassessment Of Reformed Understanding Of Free Choice In The Reformation And Post-reformation Eras. Hauptbeschreibung Yeongmo Yoo examines John Edwards' (1637-1716) doctrine of free choice, focusing on his understanding of the relation between divine necessity and human freedom. Even though free choice is an important theme in the history of Reformed theology, Reformed teaching on free choice has gained much less attention by modern scholars than other Reformed themes such as faith, grace and predestination. Moreover, the traditional Reformed doctrine of free choice has been frequently criticized as metaphysical or philosophical determinism by modern scholars. The crux of this cri