Do Methodists Believe in Free Will? with Chris Lohrstorfer

In this podcast, Dr. Chris Lohrstorfer joins me to unpack a frequent misunderstanding in Wesleyan theology: the idea that we simply “have a free will” in the doctrine of salvation.

John Wesley and the Methodist tradition do affirm human responsibility and the ability to respond to God—but not through an inherent, independent free will untouched by sin. Instead, Wesley emphasized that sin binds the human will, rendering us unable to turn to God on our own. This is where prevenient grace comes in: God’s initiating, enabling grace that goes before us, restoring a measure of freedom so we can graciously respond to His work in Christ.

Chris and I walk through this doctrine carefully, aiming to bring clarity to what it truly means to have a grace-enabled response to God’s actions on our behalf through the person of Jesus. We address the common error of overemphasizing “free will” without anchoring it in divine grace, and explore how this fits into the broader Wesleyan understanding of salvation.

Whether you’re exploring Arminian theology, wrestling with questions of predestination and choice, or simply want a clearer picture of Methodist beliefs on freedom and grace, this episode offers thoughtful, biblically grounded insight.

I think you’ll enjoy this one—tune in for a clarifying discussion on one of the most debated topics in soteriology!

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Contender: Going Deeper in the Book of Jude and

Heaven and Other Destinations: A Biblical Journey Beyond this World , visit andymilleriii.com/courses

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Thanks too to Phil Laeger for my podcast music. You can find out about Phil's music at https://www.laeger.net