Belief Quote by Thomas C. Foster
““His argument runs like this: there is no goodness without free will. Without the ability to freely choose-or reject-the good, an individual possesses no control over his own soul, and without that control, there is not possibility of attaining grace. In the language of Christianity, a beliver cannot be saved unless the choice to follow Christ is freely made, unless the option not to follow him genuinely exists. Compelled belief is no belief at all.””
About This Quote
Source Book: How to Read Literature Like a Professor, 2003
Free will is essential for moral goodness and spiritual grace; without choice, belief isn’t genuine.
In simple terms: Free will needed for true goodness.
Key Takeaway
Value freedom in moral decisions.
Themes
free will
morality
grace
Mood
contemplative
serious
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- religious education
- personal moral reflection
- spiritual counseling
Key Concepts
theology
philosophy
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you think moral responsibility requires free choice?
- How does this affect concepts of salvation?
A Different Perspective
Determinism challenges this view.
