Westminster Confession of Faith 9.1

“God hath endued the will of man with that natural liberty, that it is neither forced, nor, by any absolute necessity of nature, determined to good or evil.”

In this episode of Confessional Moments, we begin Chapter 9 of the Westminster Confession of Faith, turning our attention to the doctrine of free will. The divines carefully establish that man is not a puppet nor a machine, but a willing creature who acts voluntarily according to his own desires. Yet this natural liberty must be rightly understood. Though the will is not forced, it is not morally neutral, nor is it sovereign.

This paragraph guards the biblical balance between human responsibility and divine sovereignty. Man chooses freely, but always according to his nature. The will is free from compulsion, yet—after the Fall—not free from corruption. By clarifying what freedom truly means, the Confession prepares us to understand both the depth of human inability and the necessity of sovereign grace.

This doctrine is deeply pastoral. It removes the excuse of fatalism—“I couldn’t help it”—and the illusion of self-salvation—“I can fix myself.” It humbles the sinner and magnifies grace, showing that true spiritual freedom is not found in autonomy, but in the renewing work of the Spirit who makes sinners willing in the day of Christ’s power.

Scripture Reading & References James 1:14–15 John 8:34 Psalm 110:3 Deuteronomy 30:19

Puritan & Reformed Sources Referenced Thomas Goodwin – Works (Vol. 1) John Owen – The Freedom of the Will (in various treatises) Stephen Charnock – Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God (1682) Thomas Watson – A Body of Divinity (1692)

Key Doctrinal Themes

Natural Liberty Man acts voluntarily and is not coerced by external force.

Human Responsibility Because the will acts according to desire, man is accountable before God.

Natural vs. Moral Ability The will is free from compulsion but, after the Fall, bound by corruption.

The Necessity of Grace True spiritual freedom comes only through the renewing work of the Holy Spirit.

About the Host Confessional Moments is hosted by Pastor Tim Beauchamp, teaching elder at Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA). Pastor Tim has served in pastoral ministry since 2010 and is committed to helping God’s people grow in doctrinal clarity, spiritual maturity, and confidence in Christ through the riches of the Reformed confessional tradition.

Church Website Trinity Presbyterian Church (PCA) https://www.trinitypresbyterian.church