FlashForward – God’s Sovereignty Vs. Free Will
I recently reviewed FlashForward: Part One, Season One on DVD. The ambitious ABC Studios’ series explores the aftermath of a mysterious and inexplicable phenomenon that renders everyone on the planet unconscious at exactly the same moment. Millions die. Destruction of property and infrastructure is enormous. Yet during those few moments of global blackout, every man, woman and child is given a rare and precious gift. They get to see a brief glimpse of his or her life exactly six months in the future.
Make no mistake, FlashForward is not even remotely a Christian TV series. But it is a series that at least dares to ask some essential questions that Christians have wrestled with since the founding of the faith. Questions like how much of our lives are determined by divine fiat, and how much of our lives are the result of acts of free will? And what effect does knowing the future (prophecy) have on our present actions? Is the future set (fate), or can we alter the future by our actions (free will)?
I don’t ponder these issues in a vacuum. During our recent morning devotions my wife and I studied the story of Isaac and Rebecca. You remember – Rebecca was pregnant and having a tough go of it. She went to inquire of the Lord and was given a glimpse into the future. “And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:23).
The scripture goes on to talk about Isaac loving Esau while Rebecca loved Jacob. Now, my wife and I have twins – a boy and a girl. They are totally different personalities and we love them both – differently, but equally. It’s hard for me to imagine … Continue Reading









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