Scott Warren, ETS National Conference, November 17, 2005
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inclination and certainty discussed above. I concur with Millard Erickson who
climaxes his section on this topic in his Christian Theology by saying: "while he
could have sinned, it was certain that he would not"
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. In this statement, I find an
affirmation of the central thesis upon which this paper is built. Ability and
inclination are distinct issues. Freedom does not make sin necessary. Very
significantly, we can conclude that the success of Jesus' mission was secured, not
by a limitation placed on his abilities, but by the greatness on his character! In this
we find reason to praise him.
There are other instances of freedom without sin as well, countering the
notion that freedom necessarily involves the risk of sin. One is the condition of the
saints in eternal glory. A "no freedom without sin" model requires us to explain the
eternal sinlessness of the saints by hypothesizing some type of limitation on their
freedom. The notion that the saints are less free in glory than in this life would
certainly be difficult to support biblically. The instruction and images we are given
about eternal glory suggest exactly the opposite. The sin of the saints will not be
rooted out by reducing their capability to sin, but by purifying their beings of any
inclination to do so. There will be a unified heart of integrity, purely devoted to
God. We shall be like Jesus!
Secondly, we can consider God himself. If there can be no full and genuine
freedom without sin, then even God is not completely free.
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As is plain in all of
Scripture, and as discussed above, this is clearly not the case. If, on the other hand,
it is a question of definitions, so that we are to define freedom in such a way that it
does not apply even to God, then the word has no application at all. Clearly the
concept of freedom has a legitimate and valuable place in our vocabulary. We are
wise to adjust any line of thinking that leads us to the point where we must define
freedom in a way that allows it no application, even with regard to God himself.
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p. 720, first edition, emphasis his.
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Since he is eternally without sin, wickedness or guilt.