The Clay Pipes

Tag: Freedom

  • We Are Free But Responsible

    Mans Condition

    “Man is condemned to be free. Condemned, because he did not create himself, yet is nevertheless at liberty, and from the moment that he is thrown into this world he is responsible for everything he does.” – Jean-Paul Sartre

    This is a good description of man, who he is and his chief problem. He did not create himself and is free to choose as he will, but he is responsible for all that he chooses.

    Mans Plight

    It is also a description of the curse and how the grace of redemption factors in. We were given freedom of will when we were created; freedom to choose to do good or evil. Adam’s fall is the primary and chief example of this when he chose to eat the fruit of the tree of life – that which was forbidden by God. Despite Gods existence and omnipotence He gave man this gift of free will as I believe He wanted love from those who were willing and not by mere robots programmed to love him without any inclination on their own part.

    There Is Grace

    Herein lies the potential for the curse however, as if we chose to do evil we would eat the fruit of perdition. But despite our willful disobedience, there is grace, the beautiful redemption of mankind, despite our willingness to choose something other than God. He has redeemed us, making us not responsible for our actions, thereby lifting the curse of free will, yet leaving free will in place as we still have the option to choose this grace; to choose God.

    Nothing has changes, we could have chosen God before the fall or can choose Him now, one however is without the responsibility of our actions.

  • Stations on the Road to Freedom

    Discipline

    If you set out to seek freedom, then learn above all things to govern your soul and your senses,

    for fear that your passions and longings may lead you away from the path you should follow.

    Chaste be your mind and your body, and both in subjection, obediently, steadfastly seeking the aim set before them; only through discipline may a man learn to be free.

    Action

    Daring to do what is right, not what fancy may tell you,

    valiantly grasping occasions, not cravenly doubting –

    freedom comes only through deeds, not through thoughts taking wing.

    Faint not nor fear, but go out to the storm and the action,

    trusting in God whose commandment you faithfully follow;

    freedom, exultant, will welcome your spirit with joy.

    Suffering

    A change has come indeed.

    Your hands, so strong and active, are bound; in helplessness now you see your action is ended;

    you sigh in relief, your cause committing to stronger hands; so now you may rest contented.

    Only for one blissful moment could you draw near to touch freedom;

    then, that it might be perfected in glory, you gave it to God.

    Death

    Come now, thou greatest of feasts on the journey to freedom eternal;

    death, cast aside all the burdensome chains, and demolish the walls of our temporal body, the walls of our souls that are blinded,

    so that at last we may see that which here remains hidden.

    Freedom, how long we have sought thee in discipline, action, and suffering;

    dying, we now may behold thee revealed in the Lord.

    source: Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Letters & Papers from Prison, (c) 1953, SCM Press, LTD