Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 7
Chrysostom is quoted saying Romans 2 shows God made humans “independent…with free will…to choose virtue and avoid vice,” and the teacher contrasts this with later ideas like total depravity; what would repentance, temptation, and daily obedience look like if you truly believed you “can choose” to a large extent—and what would you stop blaming on your nature, upbringing, or circumstances?
Another way to ask: Chrysostom says people have free will to choose good and avoid evil, unlike later ideas like total depravity. If you really believed you can choose more than you think, how would that change your repentance and daily obedience, and what would you stop blaming on your past or situation?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the speaker’s teaching, believing you can truly choose would make repentance more concrete: you stop treating sin as unavoidable and start making deliberate decisions to “avoid what is wrong” and practice virtue, because no one is “compelling” you either way. It would reduce excuses that shift blame away from the will and conscience God has given.
- Chrysostom is quoted: God made man “independent…with free will…to be able to choose virtue and to avoid vice.”
- The speaker contrasts this with a later doctrinal shift: “before Augustine… it was very clear…we were not totally depraved…we do have a degree of free will.”
- He keeps realism about weakness: “we have fallen…none of us can live perfectly…we are going to stumble every single day.”
- Yet he insists real moral choice remains: “we can choose what is right…avoid what is wrong to a large extent.”
- He uses simple examples: people “know it's wrong to steal…[they] can make a choice…‘I'm not going to steal’…or…‘I am going to steal.’ No one is compelling them.”
- He ties choice to judgment: “your own thoughts will either accuse us or defend us.”