“Are we really free?” This is a timeless question for all people, regardless of language, religion, and culture. Christianity offers its own answers to this question, drawing from both the Bible and philosophy.
This study systematically presents the positions of Saint John of Damascus (676-749) on the concept of free will. It specifically attempts to answer questions related to the free will of God, Christ, angels and demons, creation and animals, and primarily of mankind.
Among other things, the responses of John of Damascus are presented to questions such as: “What are the limits and proper use of free will, and what are the consequences?” “What does it mean that man is created in the image and likeness of God?” “What is sin and what is hell?” “Is God a punisher?” “Does the devil have power over man and creation?” “What is the difference between foreknowledge and predestination?” “What are the causes of evil, corruption, and death, and what is the possibility of overcoming them?”
The reason the author chose Saint John of Damascus is that he is one of the leading historical and systematic theologians of the doctrine of the Christian Church, who essentially summarizes the prior tradition in a dynamic way and, as a result, provides a clear and comprehensive picture of the evolution and shaping of Christian theology.
