Outside Ourselves Free Will is a Fiction: An Introduction to the Bondage of the Will with John Hoyum
Oct 21, 2025
John Hoyum, a Lutheran pastor and Reformation theology expert, delves into Martin Luther's 'Bondage of the Will,' unraveling his arguments against free will as proposed by Erasmus. The discussion reveals how Luther’s view contrasts human obligation with divine ability and emphasizes the power of Scripture over human reason. Hoyum also explains the implications of asserting free will, the transformative nature of the gospel, and the importance of vocation in understanding our bound will, making complex theological concepts accessible and relatable.
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How Bondage Of The Will Began
- Erasmus initially admired Luther but wrote The Diatribe on Free Will, which provoked Luther to respond.
- Luther wrote The Bondage of the Will in 1525 largely at his wife's urging to rebut Erasmus's arguments.
Obligation Doesn’t Prove Ability
- Luther argues obligation does not imply ability; commands expose sin rather than prove power.
- He uses the law to show human incapacity and need for divine grace.
Scripture Illuminates The Bound Will
- Luther flips Erasmus: human reason is darkness while Scripture is light that reveals bondage.
- Scripture's clarity (perspicuity) exposes sin and overrides common-sense claims of free will.
