Evangelical Free Will

If one is saved by faith alone in Jesus Christ, then what is the origin of that faith? Is it a preordained gift of God to elect individuals, or is some measure of human free choice involved?

The debate over the relation between election and free will has a central place in the study of Reformation theology. Phillipp Melanchthon's reputation as the intellectual founder of Lutheranism has tended to obscure the differences between the mature doctrinal positions of Melanchthon and Martin Luther on this key issue. Gregory Graybill charts the progression of Melanchthon's position on free will and divine predestination as he shifts from agreement to an important innovation upon Luther's thought.

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M. Frost

Anyone interested in the issue of the interaction of the human will and justification absolutely should have and study this magnificent work. Graybill, a Presbyterian pastor, studies the entire theological history of Melanchthon, compares it with descriptions of other scholars on the issue (esp. Wengert, Kolb, and Manschreck), and shows the slow but steady dogmatic evolution of Philip's thoughts.