Calvin and Boyd--Free Will and Predestination

After starting with Calvin in the fall of 1998, I am only about three-quarters through Battles' first volume of a two volume translation. I have to read it slow.
Strangely enough, I occasionally also dabble in reading Greggory Boyd and John Sanders as they talk about Openness Theology, which is either Wesleyan theology on steroids or Process Theology lite. I find reading both of them compelling at times.

I have been thinking of both the options of predestination and free-will as truths that need to be held in tension. Especially as we look at them more pragmatically. The idea of free will is a gift to us because it teaches us the truth of personal responsibility. We need to know that we will be held responsible for our actions. One day we will be held accountable for whether we choose to surrender our lives to Christ or not. The theology of free-will teaches us this.

On the other hand, predestination teaches us some very important things as well. Most importantly, we learn that God is in charge. Also, we learn that whatever good we do, whatever good we have, it is only because of God's compassion and grace. We do nothing to earn or deserve God's favor, and our very ability to freely choose God comes from God and is dependant on God.

Maybe these paradoxical truths are there less to show us the facts about God as they are to show us how to relate to God.

Just a thought.....