Concordia of the Free Will - 1

By: Luis de Molina

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Luis de Molina's Concordia liberi arbitrii (Harmony of Free Will), first published in 1588, is a landmark work in 16th-century philosophy and theology. Emerging from the revival of Iberian scholasticism during the Reformation era, it grapples with the perennial question of reconciling human freedom with divine grace, providence, foreknowledge, and predestination. This complex problem ignited the fierce De Auxiliis controversy, a major doctrinal dispute within the Catholic Church.
This volume presents Part 1: On the Power of Free Will, where Molina lays the essential groundwork for his monumental analysis. He begins by affirming the reality of human freedom based on undeniable experience and the necessity for human responsibility. Molina then delves into the fundamental capabilities of free will, examining its power, particularly concerning "natural" acts such as belief, hope, love, and repentance. He explores the will's capacity to perform these acts in their substance, even when assisted only by God's general concurrence, contrasting this with the special divine aid needed for supernatural acts. Engaging extensively with ancient Church Councils (like Orange and Trent) and the Fathers (especially Augustine), he clarifies the distinction between these natural capacities—which are insufficient for justification without special grace—and supernatural acts, defending his position against interpretations linking it to Pelagian errors. The text also explores the difficult question of the will's ability to overcome serious temptations with only general divine assistance.
Part 1 meticulously defines the scope and nature of human liberty, setting the stage for Molina's later exposition of concepts like simultaneous concurrence and his renowned doctrine of "middle knowledge" (scientia media), the key ideas he proposes to harmonize free will with divine action and foreknowledge.
This translation of Book 1 aims for clarity and fluidity, preserving the essence of Molina's rigorous arguments and complex, often lengthy, style. It offers crucial insight into one of theology's most enduring and controversial problems.