Hi everyone,
Ray's teaching on free will is very thought provoking. I had some thoughts since I heard his audiotape and would like to know your thoughts. anyway, here goes.
If you take a child at birth, isolate him from the world, food and water, but no communication, what would happen to that child? He would probably die, because even though he has no influence from the world he was born with certain needs to which he is a slave. The need for love, the need to communicate, the need to learn, etc, etc.
But even if he lived he would be like an animal. He would have no "free will" even though free from outside influence. He's still a slave to his own nature. This child needs the outside causes to shape him and to define who he is. Looking at it from this perspective "free will" not only seems impossible, but also becomes undesirable.
The problem is the causes (influences) from this world shape "I"people. "I" am the center of the world and my happiness is most important. But, the very fact that we need each other to shape and define ourselves should teach us the "I" mentality does not lead to happiness. Our Creator wisely created us to need each other and to fill a specific purpose within a larger whole. And each of us must subjugate the "I" within us, and admit our dependence on our Creator, and on each other. Let our Lord be the primary "cause" in our life.
This "whole" can never be complete without each one of us. Perhaps that is why Jesus waits until after the White Throne Judgment is finished to turn the kingdom over to his Father. He would never present an incomplete and/or imperfect kingdom to Him.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on my crazy ramblings! Sorry it's so long. Peace, Cindy