The question of whether humans will have free will in heaven is an important theological issue that has been debated extensively throughout church history. At the heart of the matter is the desire to understand the nature of heaven and our existence there as redeemed human beings.
When examining what the Bible teaches about free will in heaven, there are a few key points to consider:
1. Humanity was created with free will
Genesis 1-2 indicates that Adam and Eve were created by God with the ability to make meaningful choices. This free will was part of what it meant for them to be created “in the image of God” (Gen 1:26-27). Even after the Fall, humanity retained the ability to make free choices, both for good and evil.
This indicates that free will is fundamentally part of human nature as God designed it. Our free will is a reflection of being made in His image. As Dallas Willard notes, “the ability to deliberately choose things is the essence of humanness” (The Divine Conspiracy). If we will still be human beings in heaven, then presumably we will retain this God-given gift of free will.
2. We see hints of free will in heaven
The Bible does not provide systematic theological explanations about the nature of free will in heaven. However, there are glimpses of heavenly scenarios that imply ongoing human free will:
- The 24 elders in Revelation 4-5 who voluntarily prostrate themselves before God’s throne
- Abraham talking with the rich man in Jesus’ parable in Luke 16:19-31
- The martyrs asking God how long until final judgment in Revelation 6:9-11
- The wedding guests invited to participate in the marriage supper of the Lamb in Revelation 19:6-9
These examples show heavenly beings openly expressing their thoughts and desires before God, implying they have the capacity for free will.
3. Eternal life means knowing God relationally
Jesus defined eternal life not primarily as living forever, but as knowing God relationally (John 17:3). Relationships require free choice on both sides. This means our heavenly life will likely involve freely reciprocating God’s love.
As theologian Millard Erickson writes, “if heaven meant the end of free will, it would also mean the cessation of our personhood. There would no longer be a self to love or to experience a relationship with God” (Christian Theology). If our heavenly destiny includes knowing and loving God, human free will must continue.
4. Not an absolute freedom like on earth
Our free will on earth allows people to sin greatly. This will not be the case in heaven. We will no longer have a sin nature (Rev 21:27). We will be glorified and unable to sin in God’s direct presence (1 John 3:2).
So while we may still have free will in heaven, it will function differently than on earth. As Greg Boyd explains, “The more one knows God, the more one gains freedom from self-centeredness – and the more one gains freedom from self-centeredness, the more one gains self-determining freedom” (Satan and the Problem of Evil).
Our heavenly free will may involve pure freedom to love God, worship Him, and submit to His wisdom and ways.
5. God’s sovereignty is not compromised
Some argue that free will in heaven would compromise God’s absolute sovereignty. However, there are good theological reasons to believe God voluntarily self-limits the exercise of His sovereignty to grant free will:
- Self-limitation was required for God to grant freedom in creation
- God’s decision to create beings in His image necessitated sharing authority
- God’s love desires reciprocal love which requires free choice
- A forced relationship would not satisfy God’s glory
So God’s sovereignty can co-exist with human free will, both on earth and in heaven. As A.W. Tozer explained, “Self-will can never be conquered if the conquered one knows that it is still intact” (The Knowledge of the Holy). God wants voluntary, loving relationship with His people for all eternity.
6. Heaven will still have reasonable constraints
Heaven should not be viewed as a place with zero limitations or responsibility. While we will not sin, we likely will still face reasonable constraints and honor authorities God has established, similar to Eden:
- Still under God’s loving Lordship
- Will not make completely autonomous choices
- Will joyfully submit to God’s design for heaven
- No sinful rebellion against God’s wise boundaries
- Likely honorable human authorities for order and service
So heavenly free will does not mean absolute autonomy from God’s design. As Augustine explained about our earthly lives, godly use of free will means “loving the things [God] commands and desiring the things he promises” (City of God). This righteous pattern will continue in eternity.
7. Scripture is more focused on present choices
The Bible is primarily concerned with how we exercise free will in this earthly life, not philosophical details about the next life. But the overall redemptive story indicates God desires an eternity of reciprocal love with His people.
As Erickson concludes, “it seems most consonant with the overall teaching of the Bible to hold that we will possess free will in heaven, albeit in purified and glorified state” (Christian Theology). Our present, earthly choices to know Christ set our trajectory for freely worshipping Him for eternity.
8. Mystery remains about the eternal state
The Bible says far more about how to live today as disciples than details about the afterlife. Some mystery remains about the metaphysical nature of heaven. As Randy Alcorn admits, “I know of no Scripture that conclusively says whether or not we’ll have free will in Heaven” (Heaven).
So while a strong case can be made, the continued presence of human free will in heaven is still an inference. We see glimpses through a glass dimly (1 Cor 13:12). But the clarity of eternity awaits all in Christ.
In conclusion, human free will as designed by God seems most compatible with the relationship of love which Scripture indicates believers will experience with Him for eternity. While our heavenly freedom may function differently than on earth, God’s plan for eternal fellowship implies we will remain volitional beings, capable of consciously reciprocating His love.
