Are there uncaused choices according to your understanding of LFW? Choices made for no reason.
What I mean by uncaused is apart from human nature or external causation such as God Himself?
Choices are only caused by choosing. I do not equate the arguments for choosing one way or another as the cause, they are only the rationale or the influence factors, but one may choose in opposition to reason and influence, even if that reasoning and influence is the typically stronger force and following it is the typical response to it.
Why I choose something is the cause, and whatever that is, it is distinct from the influences themselves. Just as the "good pleasure of the will God" is your mantra for why God acts as he does, "the good pleasure" of anyone's desires is the ultimate cause and thus why a particular choice is made at a particular point of reference.
Paul's propositions in Romans 1 and 8 are examples:
Beginning at Rom 1:21, Paul says: For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
Which shows unregenerate man having sufficient knowledge of God and God's ways and being, and yet deliberately choosing opposite of this influence. Yes, the sinful nature is influential as well, but there is still sufficient knowledge of God. While the tendency and pattern of man's choice is in keeping with the sinful nature, not every choice is contrary to God, and many good choices are made on a regular basis.
Rom 8:12-13 show things from a believer's prospective:
Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.
Here, Paul says the opposite scenario is in effect. The sinful nature has been overcome so that our behaviors can now meet "all the righteous requirements of the law" by means of the Spirit that lives in us (8:4), so that we are no longer obligated to the sinful nature to obey it, but are rather obligated to the Spirit! However, we still must choose which influence we will obey and follow, "for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live."
Either direction is a real potential, and each of us must choose which path to take at any given moment.
Doug
