I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.
You will know the truth, the truth will set you free… if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed ~ Jesus (John 8:32, 36)
Towards Biblical Freedom
Invictus by William Ernest Henley
No Idea is so generally recognized as indefinite, ambitious and open to the greatest misconceptions…as the idea of Freedom: none in the common currency with so little appreciation of its meaning. ~ G.W. Hegel
Introduction Personal Background French Revolution: Equality, Liberty and Fraternity
What is
“Man was born free, and he is everywhere in chains.” ~ Jean Jacques Rousseau The Reign of Terror: “Men will never be free until the last king is strangled with the entrails of the last priest.” ~ Denis Diderot “Freedom is not the right to do whatever we wish, but the power to become what we were Freedom? Where do we see the concept of Freedom? intended to be.” (Buttrick, 1954, p. 374)
Defining Freedom and Liberty Negative Liberty (Freedom from) “I’m free only when all external restraints and obstacles are removed.” Hobbes, Locke, Mill, Tocqueville
Positive Liberty (Freedom to) “I’m free only when I can do what I was meant/created to do.”
Freedom is “the quality or state of being free: as the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action.” ~ Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Rousseau, Kant, Hegel, Marx
This typology is lacking.
Ron Paul (2011) states, “Liberty means to exercise human rights in any manner a person chooses so long as it does not interfere with the exercise of the rights of others.” (p. xi) Claims Liberty is the foundation for the Pursuit of Happiness; as the Pursuit of Happiness is simply “how we are able to define our lives” (p. xiii). Liberty is essential to happiness | We define our own concept of happiness
Fred Alford asked his students if the US is a free county? Half said no. (Alford, 2005) “If I am not free to do what I want in every aspect of my life then not only am I not free but freedom means nothing. What I want is power.” (p. 17) Freedom is reduced to power; and power is reduced to money.
Typical view of Freedom: Autonomous Freedom
“The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it.” (Mill, 1993, pp. 17–18) “[Simple] Freedom is being able to do what you want to do … being able to choose a goal, have access to that goal, pursue that goal without anyone purposely preventing you.” (Lakoff, 2006, p. 25) Freedom is “to lead our lives as we please, so long as we do not infringe on the same freedom of others.” (Armey, 2010, p. 65) “At the heart of liberty is the right to define one's own concept of existence, of meaning of the universe and the mystery of human life.” ~ Planned Parenthood vs. Casey
Freedom from all external constraints to be one’s “true self.” Free to live as I determine under my own rules
Biblical view of Freedom: Authentic Freedom Freedom from internal constraints of sin and rebellion to become what God created us to be. Free to live as God designed under God’s perfect reign
Origins of Autonomous Freedom Scientific Perspective Aristotelian Worldview (pre-1640s) Explanations are purposeful (teleological) Universe full of purpose (telos) as objects behave to fulfill their natural goals and due to internal natures
Newtonian Worldview Explanations are mechanistic Universe has no overall purpose as objects behave due to external forces, pushing and pulling on them
The Aristotelian worldview created a hierarchical worldview
(DeWitt, 2004, p. 183)
People had natural places in the overall order of all things (e.g. The Divine Right of Kings)
English (1640s), American (1770s), French (1790s) revolutions with their emphasis on individual rights, came only after the rejection of the Aristotelian worldview. Rejection of the Aristotelian worldview (with purpose and intrinsic meaning) “freed” the individual to be sovereign
Philosophical Perspective The “Enlightenment”: New view of freedom where the individual stands back from his situation to shape an identity only in light of his own desires, convictions, and reason. (Smith, 2002, p. 204) Reason » Freedom » Power of the Will
The true essence of modernity has been an insatiable quest for Autonomous Freedom The “Enlightenment” is the myth to transcends all limits; yearning for godlike freedom
Biblical Understanding of Freedom
God
Romans 1: Autonomous Freedom (Irreligious and Liberal Perspective) Creation: Man—Image of God to Creation (Gen. 1:26-28)
Man
Created to Rule over and Reflect God’s Character to Creation: King-Priests Live as God’s people, in God’s Place, Under God’s Rule
Fall: Man—Worships Creation as God
Creation
(Gen. 3)
Satan gets Adam and Eve to disbelieve the goodness of God’s rule. “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (vv. 4-5) The Hiss of the Serpent: “You’re not truly free unless you’re free like God, independently knowing God and Evil.” (Autonomous Freedom)
Creation Man God
Sin is disbelieving God’s Rule and choosing to live our lives “free” from God, under our own rule. Declaration of Independence from God
Instead of Image bearers, we’re now Idol lovers At any given moment we are worshiping something or someone. Our Hearts are NEVER “free.” We always have a Lord and Master. We always serve something (i.e. slaves).
Because of our Sin and Declaration of Independence, God gives us up: 1. “in the lusts of [our] hearts” (v.24) 2. “to dishonorable passions” (v.26) 3. “a debased mind” (v.28)
We get our heart’s desire
(i.e. independence and self-rule).
But we are far from “free.”
Homosexuality: Man’s Ultimate Picture of Independence and Self-Love (1:26-27) Autonomous Freedom’s logical extreme from all constraints (from even our God-given natures) It is the ultimate picture of everyone of us consumed with our selves and our own Kingdom.
Romans 1 is a portrait the “Prodigal” Son’s view of freedom: Full autonomy from the Father’s rule
Romans 2: God’s Autonomous Freedom (Religious and Conservative Perspective) Religious Sins are condemned: 1. Judgmentalism (2:1)
“you who judge those who do such things and yet do them yourself” (2:3)
How dare us condemn and judge others and not look at our own lives. Acting as God.
2. Hypocrisy (2:22-23) We, Religious Folks use God’s law to glorify ourselves (Jn. 5:44) and expand our Kingdom (see Matt. 23). Take Circumcision (v. 25-27): A boundary maker to exclude and have power over others. A true follower of God heart’s circumcised by the Spirit; strives to get praise and identity from God (2:29). Desires to live under God’s rule and expand His Kingdom and fame. Not their own.
Romans 2 is a portrait of the Elders Son’s view of freedom: Full manipulation of the Father’s rule
Romans 3: All Guilty because of Autonomous Freedom Both the Irreligious Liberal and the Religious Conservative are guilty of turning to our own way, declaring independence and war on God. “For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.” (Rom. 3:9-11) “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Is. 53:6)
Due to Adam (Humanity’s Representative) “sin came into the world through one man” (Rom. 5:12) Adam declared war and independence from God. We are born into this war and gladly take up the fight against God for our self-rule and Freedom. Our battle cry is: “My Kingdom come; my will be done!”
Sin is a power inherited from Adam: “by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners” (5:19) Sin deceives us to think Autonomous Freedom is true freedom.
Either a slave of Sin and Death; or a slave of Righteous and God (Rom. 6:22)
Autonomous Freedom isn’t sinful. Autonomous Freedom is Sin. In the end strips it us of any and all Freedom.
“They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.” (2 Pt. 2:19)
The Gospel: Only Means of Authentic Freedom What is the Gospel?
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Rom. 1:16)
God saves sinners through the Life, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Life (God’s Righteousness; 3:22 & 24)
|
Death (God’s Wrath Satisfied; 3:25)
|
Resurrection (God’s Victory; 6:4)
Redemption: Saved from our self-rule and rebellion, by Jesus, to His rule and righteousness Due to our desire for autonomy and disobedience, Jesus came, being fully submissive to God’s will and Law. He became a slave that we might be free children of God. “but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant [doulos, lit. slave] … he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” (Phil. 2:7-8)
Authentic Freedom under the Reign of King Jesus Freedom from
Freedom to
The Law of Sin and Death:
“…has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:2)
Walk in the newness of Life:
Slavery of Sin: “our old self was crucified with him … that we would no longer be enslaved to sin” (Rom. 6:6)
Belong to the Jesus and bear Fruit: “… died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another … in order that we may bear fruit for God” (Rom. 7:4)
“We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that… we too might walk in newness of life” (Rom. 6:4)
Freedom of
Freedom for
Peace with God and Reconciliation:
“..since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:1ff) Hope of the glory of God: “We rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Rom. 5:2)
Service of others:
“For you were called to freedom… do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Gal. 5:13) Serving God: “Live as people who are free … living as servants of God” (1 Pet. 2:16)
Because of Jesus’ slavery: we’re freed from slavery of self and death, to be Slaves of God and Eternal life “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.” (Rom. 6:22)
The Hope of the Glory of God (Rom. 5:2): Authentic Freedom in of God’s Consummated Kingdom Authentic Freedom will be fully obtained in the New Heavens and the New Earth God’s People
God’s Place
God’s Rule
“The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs”
“For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God” (Rom. 8:19)
“but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons” (Rom. 8:23)
(Rom. 8:16-17)
“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” (Rom. 8:21)
We experience the First Fruits of God’s Kingdom by the Holy Spirit mediating the future reality of the new Kingdom “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Cor. 3:17)
Authentic Freedom Ultimately Found in the Gospel Must renounce our sins, rebellion and self-sovereignty; and submit to God’s Authority and Rule Repent of our own personal rebellion and self-rule Can only be truly and authentically free if we take responsibility for our own sins. We are always offender first; and only then offended.
Put Faith in the Blood bought pardon of Jesus Jesus’ Blood has secured our forgiveness to live under His perfect reign.
Live our lives as a picture to the World that God’s rule is perfect and best To live as God’s originally intended: Becoming fully human, again Look to Jesus, the Last Adam, who modeled true humanity, and “come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.” (John 6:38) Jesus, the True “Image of the invisible God” (Col: 1:15), restores us to full Image Bearers: King-Priest “To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Rev. 1:5-6)
Obedience to God’s Law is Authentic Freedom because we are aligning our lives and intentions to conform to true reality (i.e. God’s original design and will). Our autonomy can only come within and under God’s theonomy
“Freedom, then, is not the absence of limitations and constraints but it is finding the right ones, those that fit our nature and liberate us.” (Keller, 2008, p. 149)
Implications 1.
Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? The default mode of our sinful hearts is to think freedom is doing what we want (autonomous). Walking in freedom is doing what we were created to be and do; conforming to God’s reality (authentic). “By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Rom. 6:15-16)
2.
Does man have “Freewill”? One is only free to the degree his/her will and actions are aligned with reality (i.e. God’s perfect Law). “You were slaves of sin…” (Rom. 6:20) “… everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.” (John 8:34)
Choosing to Sin and live apart from God is not Freedom! 3.
Authority and Submission God has given us authorities for our own good.
“For God’s Freedom is not to choose good or evil. It is the freedom to express the perfect goodness of God’s own being. Our freedom is perfected when, through the choices of good rather than evil, we finally attain the freedom simply to be good.” (Bauckham, 2002, p. 48)
Government (Rom. 13; 1 Pt. 2:13-15) | Male Elders in Church (1 Tim. 2:11-14; 3:1-7; Tit. 1:5-9) | Husbands to Wives (Eph. 5:22-24; Col. 3:18; 1 Pet. 3:1-6) | Parents (Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:20) | Employers (Eph. 6:5-8; Col. 3:22)
4.
Love and Marriage Fear commitment because we think our “freedom” will be taken from us Love: Nothing more constraining; but nothing is as freeing The Paradox of Authentic Freedom: The more you constrain yourself to the good of another, the more you experience true and authentic freedom.
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Gal. 5:13)
Created to give ourselves for others; we were not created to be consumed with our own “freedom.”
5.
Apologetics We have a message to tell: Autonomous Freedom is lie from Hell that our Flesh rejoices in. Only the Gospel allows us to experience Authentic Freedom Jesus lived a life of perfectly Authentic Freedom and died the death we deserved to die for our “independence.” By the power of the Holy Spirit we can not only obey God’s Law, but fully rejoice in it. “for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love.” (Ps. 119:47)
Autonomous Freedom is Enslaving and Incoherent You can never get rid of all constraints (nor do you want to). If Freedom “is the right to define one's own concept of existence” there is no overall meaning and purpose in the world, and all pursuits become equally worthless and futile. All that is left is one’s “Will to Power”: My Freedom becomes domination of others.
Conclusion: “For freedom Christ has set us free” (Gal. 5:1) Take Aways When you hear the word “Freedom”, always ask yourself if the word refers to Autonomous or Authentic Freedom Authentic Freedom ultimately entails obedience to God’s Law (i.e. reality): the Law of Liberty (Jm. 1:25)
Authentic Freedom is living according to reality. According to God’s original intention, design, and Law. This Freedom can only and finally be obtained by: “He himself bore our sins in his body on Repentance (Freedom from): Laying down one’s claim of self-rule and sin the tree, that we might die to sin and Faith (Freedom to): Turning to the One who gave up His rule and become sin for us that we might live under God’s perfect and holy reign
live to righteousness.” (1 Pt. 2:24)
Jesus, the Son of God, become a slave that we might be Free Sons of God Bibliography Alford, C. F. (2005). Rethinking Freedom: Why Freedom Has Lost Its Meaning And What Can Be Done to Save It (1st ed.). New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Armey, R. K. (2010). Give Us Liberty: A Tea Party Manifesto (1st ed.). New York: William Morrow. Bauckham, R. (2002). God and the Crisis of Freedom: Biblical and Contemporary Perspectives (1st ed.). Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press. Buttrick, G. A. (1954). The Interpreter’s Bible: Acts. Romans. Abingdon-Cokesbury Press. DeWitt, R. (2004). Worldviews: An Introduction to the History and Philosophy of Science. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub. Hart, D. B. (2009). Atheist Delusions: The Christian Revolution and Its Fashionable Enemies. New Haven: Yale University Press. Keller, T. J. (2008). The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. New York: Dutton. Lakoff, G. (2006). Whose Freedom?: The Battle Over America’s Most Important Idea (1st ed.). New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Mill, J. S. (1993). On Liberty and Utilitarianism. Bantam Classics. Paul, R. (2011). Liberty Defined: 50 Essential Issues That Affect Our Freedom (1st ed.). New York: Grand Central Pub. Smith, N. H. (2002). Charles Taylor: Meaning, Morals, and Modernity. Key contemporary thinkers. Cambridge : Oxford ; Malden, MA: Polity ; Blackwell Publishers.
“You will know the truth, the truth will set you free … if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:32, 36)
Recommending Readings Bauckham, Richard (2002). God and the Crisis of Freedom: Biblical and Contemporary Perspectives. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press. Chester, Tim. (2010). You Can Change: God’s Transforming Power for Our Sinful Behavior and Negative Emotions. Crossway Books. Keller, Tim (2008). The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. New York: Dutton. Schaeffer, Francis (1968). Escape from Reason : a penetrating analysis of trends in modern thought. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press.