What does this research mean for the field?

Within the framework of classical theism, 'free willing' or 'free choosing' cannot be properly attributed to God as an analogy, but only as a metaphor, because analogically purifying the concept removes its defining characteristics. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONTRADICTORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.CHALLENGES_CONSENSUS.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine whether 'free willing' (liberum arbitrium) can be properly predicated of God as an analogical description of divine creation within classical theism.

September 6, 2026Religious StudiesOpen Access

Free willing in God: A metaphor, not analogy, for divine creating

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Authors

RNRoberto J. De La Noval MVMatthew Vale

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Overview

Philosophical analysis demonstrates the conceptual limits of divine free choice in classical theism, suggesting divine creation is best understood as metaphor rather than substantial analogy.

Key Points

To determine whether 'free willing' (liberum arbitrium) can be properly predicated of God as an analogical description of divine creation within classical theism.
Analyzed Thomas Aquinas's comprehensive theological framework regarding divine attributes, divine predication, and the nature of free choice.
Applied the classical theist doctrine of divine perfection to assess whether human concepts of free choice can be analogically purified for divine attribution.
Demonstrated that analogically purifying the concept of free willing strips away all its defining characteristics, resulting in conceptual equivocation when applied to God.
Showed that under Aquinas's model of predication, 'God freely wills creatures' cannot function as a proper analogy and must instead be understood as a metaphor.

Cite This Study

Noval et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9d1eb628139818eab21d3a https://doi.org/10.1017/s0034412526101760

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September 6, 2026Religious StudiesOpen Access

Free willing in God: A metaphor, not analogy, for divine creating

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

RNRoberto J. De La Noval MVMatthew Vale

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Philosophical analysis demonstrates the conceptual limits of divine free choice in classical theism, suggesting divine creation is best understood as metaphor rather than substantial analogy.

Key Points

To determine whether 'free willing' (liberum arbitrium) can be properly predicated of God as an analogical description of divine creation within classical theism.
Analyzed Thomas Aquinas's comprehensive theological framework regarding divine attributes, divine predication, and the nature of free choice.
Applied the classical theist doctrine of divine perfection to assess whether human concepts of free choice can be analogically purified for divine attribution.
Demonstrated that analogically purifying the concept of free willing strips away all its defining characteristics, resulting in conceptual equivocation when applied to God.
Showed that under Aquinas's model of predication, 'God freely wills creatures' cannot function as a proper analogy and must instead be understood as a metaphor.

Cite This Study

Noval et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9d1eb628139818eab21d3a https://doi.org/10.1017/s0034412526101760

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark