What is the role of free will in a person’s life?

The answer

Christians who, like Athenagoras, place the Creator at the center of their philosophy, affirm the importance of the person and of free will.¹⁰⁷⁵ This freedom holds us accountable, and responsible for every action we do. If a person falls into evil, he will be judged and delivered into everlasting fire, for his soul cannot perish; but if he clings to God, he will live a heavenly eternal life.

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty

Notes

¹⁰⁷⁵ Cf. Athenagoras, A Plea for the Christians 4, 11–12 (ANF 2:131, 134).

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty, Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Volumes 1 and 2, Books 1–7. First English Edition, 2023. Published by St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, Sporting, Alexandria, and Queen St. Mary & Prince Tadros Coptic Orthodox Church, South Brunswick, NJ. Copyright © 2023. Translation and Editing: Youth of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Arabian Gulf, and Egypt.