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Does man have freewill, or is destiny defined by God? Do humans have the ability to make choices, or are they preprogrammed to make certain decisions? These are the kinds of questions philosophers and theologians have pondered since the dawn of mankind, but last Monday night, they were discussed by the newly formed Dead Theologian Society.
Senior Chesed Coppenger and junior Ariana Pippa, the founders of the Dead Theologian Society, began their third meeting with a prayer before the discussion on freewill began.
Last week, the Dead Theologian Society’s theme was Arminianism versus Calvinism. According to its founders, inspiration for topics to lead discussions with each week are found in their day-to-day experiences.
For example, “Mongerism, going to the church I go to, things that aren’t discussed on campus, but that I thought of when I was growing up,” Pippa said.
So what would man and God’s freewill look like? Does it even exist at all?
According to the Scriptures, this issue can be interpreted ambiguously, especially if we take a Calvinist perspective and compare it to an Arminian one, they say. However, the forum overall agreed that man’s freewill seems to be controlled by God.
“You can choose to do things in the name of freewill but belief in God enables you to have grace,” public policy graduate student Corey Booth said.
Coppenger agreed.
“You live in a world where you can’t know what God’s will is, so all you can do is look to the Gospels,” she said.
The discussion focused in particular on whether humans actively choose God or whether God chooses his people. If humans indeed have freewill, this would imply that God does not interfere or limit man’s ability for freewill.
Yet, “Freewill makes humans little gods,” Pippa said. “It makes men believe they have power over their lives.”
The Dead Theologian Society, who got the inspiration for its name from the film “Dead Poet’s Society,” meets every week at 9 p.m. in front of Special Programs. As far as Coppenger and Pippa said they know, Pepperdine is the only campus to have created this society.
Their purpose is to “get people to re-examine their beliefs and search for the Truth,” Pippa said.
“People at Pepperdine reach out for theology, but it’s almost taboo, almost like you’re working for your salvation rather than understanding that your theology defines your methodology,” Pippa said.
As of now, the Society is still at its beginnings with about five members.
“It’s at its conception, but we have heard good feedback,” Coppenger said.
One could say that the forum comprises of a Bible study with a concern for philosophical and worldly dilemmas, using primary Scriptures as textual source, but also looking at articles from theologians, Coppenger said. She said she plans to lead next week’s discussion on infant baptism versus believer baptism.
Submitted 03-31-2005
MALIBU, CA
