Question:

How would Paul address the controversy concerning the freedom of man’s will in light of God’s sovereignty?

Answer:

We could ask, was Paul a Calvinist or an Arminian? It would be an absurd question since Paul lived and wrote a millennia and a half before Calvin and Arminius except that most modern Christians understand Paul through one system of interpretation or the other. The wonder and genius of Paul is that both theological schools are founded primarily on his teachings. If he were here today he would agree and disagree with both schools. Pauline truth is paradoxical. He does not scratch every itch. He does not have a patently clear answer for every question. He clearly addresses believers as having command of and responsibility for their wills and decisions. At the same time his position on the sovereignty of God concerning all things, especially God’s mysterious ability to work through the free will of people to accomplish His purposes is without controversy. (Phil. 2:12-13)

Truth is stranger than fiction as they say. We think in a narrow, linear way; God’s ability to address reality is multi-dimensional, or maybe more accurately, trans-dimensional. Paul’s writings are inspired by God; therefore what he says is not always easily comprehended. According to Paul, man has freewill which is under the sovereign administration of God. This is not a contradiction, it is a paradox. We need to get over ourselves. We are dealing with the Almighty God and He is inscrutably able to do whatever He pleases in ways we could not possibly comprehend with the knowledge we currently possess.