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Question 5
Several early writers are quoted saying future events are not “fated” but happen “by the choice of free agents”; how would your prayer life, evangelism, and view of spiritual growth change if you really believed your choices decisively shape your destiny without undermining God’s foreknowledge?
Another way to ask: If you truly believed your choices really shape your future, while God still knows the future, how would that change the way you pray, share your faith, and try to grow spiritually?

Direct Answer Based on the transcript, believing choices truly matter would push a Christian toward more deliberate obedience and seriousness about virtue, while still trusting that God already knows the outcome—without treating life as fatalistic.

Support from Transcript:

  • Tatian is quoted: Jesus “has the power to foresee future events. Yet, these events are not fated…they take place by the choice of free agents.”
  • Justin emphasizes accountability depends on free choice: humans must have power to “avoid evil and choos[e] good.”
  • Origen says belief in God’s judgment “incites those who hear it to live virtuously and to shun sin by all means.”
  • He explains why: people “clearly acknowledge that things worthy of praise and blame are within our own power.”
  • Bercot’s summary holds both truths: God foreknows everything, yet “this in no way conflicts with our free will.”
Discussion Follow-ups The transcript doesn’t directly outline how prayer or evangelism changes, but if choices are real, how might that affect how earnestly you call others—and yourself—to repentance and faith?

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