What is divine freedom? Is God free?

Divine freedom refers to God’s ability to will and act voluntarily without compulsion. This concept intersects with other divine attributes, such as omnipotence, omniscience, and omnibenevolence. God’s freedom and the nature of that freedom have generated extensive theological and philosophical debate.

In traditional theism, God is understood to be omnipotent, omniscient, and omnibenevolent. These attributes prompt questions about the nature of His freedom. For example, if God is omnibenevolent, can He choose anything other than the best possible action? In the eighteenth century, the philosophers Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and Samuel Clarke explored this issue. Leibniz argued that God’s perfect goodness requires Him to choose the best possible action. He also linked divine freedom to the principle of sufficient reason, which states that everything God does must have an intelligible ground. In contrast, Clarke asserted that divine freedom means that, even if God opts for the best possible action, He still has the ability to choose otherwise.

Compatibilism and libertarianism are two different views on freedom. Compatibilism asserts that freedom can coexist with determinism, meaning a moral agent can be considered free even when prior causes or events determine his actions. In this perspective, God is seen as free because His actions flow from His nature, even if He cannot choose differently from that nature.

Libertarianism, on the other hand, states that freedom requires the ability to choose absolutely anything. If God is free, He must be able to choose evil, even if He always chooses good.

In His omniscience, God knows every possible action and its outcome, and His omnibenevolence ensures He always chooses the best possible action. The question is, does God’s perfect knowledge and goodness limit His freedom to choosing only the best possible action? Some argue that His omniscience and omnibenevolence do not diminish His liberty. Others contend that true freedom requires the ability to choose otherwise, even if the choice contradicts God’s nature.

Philosophers like Thomas Morrise and Robert Adams have written extensively about divine freedom. Morris claimed that divine freedom is not about choosing between good and evil but about the creative expression of His will within the bounds of His nature. Adams introduced the concept of “middle knowledge” and proposed that God knows what any free creature—including Himself—would do in any given circumstance.

The Bible offers insight into God’s freedom. Psalm 115:3 states, “Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him.” This is an explicit statement of God’s autonomy. Furthermore, Ephesians 1:11 explains that God “works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.” God’s freedom is in harmony with His nature, will, and purpose.

Divine freedom is not arbitrary but is always consistent with God’s character. James 1:17 states, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Because God’s good and just nature is immutable, God’s free actions are always good and just. Hebrews 1:12 also affirms God’s unchanging nature: “You remain the same, and your years will never end.” Divine freedom is always exercised within the parameters of God’s immutable character.

Divine freedom is God’s ability to act according to His will unimpeded by external constraints. Theologians and philosophers continue to debate how divine freedom aligns with other divine attributes, such as omnipotence, omniscience, and omnibenevolence. Scripture affirms divine freedom, even if we cannot understand its nature and extent.