Because I don't know what "ibid" means, and because this is a new page (50),
I am going to say this instead.
What you "could have done" is irrelevant.
It's what you DID choose that demonstrated what you preferred the MOST.
It is not contended (nor is it disputed) that, hypothetically and by itself, we might have chosen otherwise. That is not the idea at all. Instead, it is claimed that, notwithstanding the fact that we did choose as we chose, we nonetheless could have chosen otherwise.
So I repeat, "Free willers claim that, notwithstanding the fact that we did choose as we chose, we nonetheless could have chosen otherwise?
That is absolutely false.
You chose what you chose because the reasons for choosing what you chose CAUSED you to prefer that choice the MOST.
At that point in time it was impossible to choose anything else.
Matthew 19: Jesus said:
23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
"therefore contrary choice or “free" will not only does not exist but cannot exist."
Jees, Louise, Rodger! You seem to have
strength and
power confused! Have you considered 1 Corinthians 1?
Your argument would then nullify God's power:
19 For it is written:
“ I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”[
a]
20 Where
is the wise? Where
is the scribe? Where
is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks[
b] foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
26 For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble,
are called. 27
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence.
Free will comes from God. Without it, love cannot be real or genuine. (compare 1 John 4) With it, you can overcome the "strongest, mightiest influence." It put's the "strongest, mightiest" influence to shame. That's the power of free will,
given by God.
Continuing on with 1 Corinthians 1:
30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.”
