Christian Quote by CS Lewis
“God created things which had free will. That means creatures which can go either wrong or right. Some people think they can imagine a creature which was free but had no possibility of going wrong; I cannot. If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Problem of Pain, 1940
Free will allows both good and evil; it is necessary for genuine love and joy.
In simple terms: Free will enables love.
Key Takeaway
Value freedom despite risks.
Themes
philosophy
theology
ethics
human nature
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal decision making
- parental guidance
- spiritual counseling
Key Concepts
free will
problem of evil
love
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance freedom and responsibility?
- What limits should be placed on freedom?
A Different Perspective
Free will can lead to harmful choices.
