Reforming Free Will: A Conversation on the History of Reformed Views

by Paul Helm

In the light of what powers and faculties are human beings responsible individuals in the everyday? In his theological, historical and philosophical examination of reformed orthodox views of free will and divine sovereignty Paul Helm considers determinism and compatibilism and their historical development between 1500 and 1800. He graciously tackles the views of Richard A. Muller and Antonie Vos to argue that compatibilism is deeply rooted and represents the mainstream understanding of the reformers’ conviction on the matter.

Genres: Theology

264 pages, Paperback

Published November 6, 2020

About the author

Paul Helm teached philosophy at the University of Liverpool before becoming Professor of the History and Philosophy of Religion at King s College, London (1993-2000).

Reviews

[Simon Wartanian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the easiest book to read because it is not about the biblical text but a historical "conversation" between Paul Helm, the Vosian group and Richard A. Muller. Prominent in this conversation are Jonathan Edwards, who Dr. Muller maintains departed from the Reformed Orthodox in his determinism/compatibilism and Francis Turretin as a kind of representative of the Reformed Orthodox. Dr. Helm basically argues that the differences between Edwards and Turretin are stylistic rather than substantial. Edwards is not a scholastic theologian, while Turretin clearly was. Furthermore, Turretin as well as several other Reformed Orthodox theologians, hold to a point fundamental to compatibilism which is that the will follows the last judgment of practical reason or is determined thereby. Furthermore, they also argue that the will is never free FROM God, but is determined and governed by Him.

All in all, a good historical discussion, but not the easiest nor the best if one wants to understand what is the Reformed or biblical position on free will.

[JR Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sound in argument, but repetitive and awkward (could have used better editing.) This is the continuation of a debate among Paul Helm and Richard Muller on the historical interpretation of the Reformed Scholastics (and Jonathan Edwards) on their views on the freedom of the will. Muller argues that the Reformed Orthodox (RO) were not full compatibilists but something in between that and the Arminian/Socinian libertarian free will views they were opposing. Helm tries to show that they were compatibilists, namely, theistic determinists who viewed human freedom as compatible with God's sovereignty. There's a lot more to it than this (fancy terms like "synchronic contingency" and extended discussion about the importance of faculty psychology to this discussion) but that's the gist.

I'd only recommend this for theology students doing research on providence, predestination, the will, etc. The book is not clear enough to be profitable for anyone else, and it seems like a missed opportunity, unless the R.E.D.S. series is aimed at theology students and above.

[Pat Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a response by Paul Helm to Richard A. Muller’s book, “The Divine Will and Human Choice”, as well as a critique of Antoine Vos’ view of synchronic contingency.

Helm argues that Muller seems to paint reformed orthodox theologians, such as Francis Turretin and Jonathan Edwards, as non-compatibilistic. Helm asserts that the views of the two are indeed deterministic, and in turn in line with a compatibilist view. Helm argues that compatibilism is deeply rooted, and represents, the mainstream understanding of the reformers’ conviction on the matter of Free Will.

There are some difficult sections in this book, so I would not recommend it to anyone that doesn’t have a working knowledge of basic thought on Free Will, such as determinism or compatibilism.

“Take up and Read” - Saint Augustine

[Ronnie Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very informative and historical look at free will from the reformed perspective. There is a lot to take in here and I must admit that I found it a bit heady. It was a labor to read and I found myself just trying to get through the text near the end. A grand display of philosophical rhetoric. I would have enjoyed it more had it been written from a Scriptural perspective.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a response to Richard Muller, and his work on the freedom of the will

[Dylan Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very challenging book for me to read because I’m so new to the scholastic language. Overall very rewarding read, however not something I would recommend to someone new to this discussion.