Gandalf Advice: Stand Up?

“There are other forces in this world, Frodo, besides that of evil. Bilbo was meant to find the ring. In which case, you were also meant to have it, and that is an encouraging thought.” — Gandalf, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

What Do I Think?

Gandalf’s words to Frodo reflect an age-old debate: Are we merely playing out a script that has already been written, or do we have the power to shape our own destinies? The struggle between free will and predestination is not just a historical theological debate—it is playing out in society and governance today. It impacts how we interpret success and failure, in how we justify actions, and out day-to-day decisions.

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Christianity has long been divided on this question. Strict Calvinists embrace predestination, the idea that God has already determined who will be saved and who will be damned. In contrast, strict Arminians believe in free will, asserting that while They know what we will choose, the Almighty does not force our decisions. These two perspectives shape everything from evangelism to personal responsibility.

Islam presents a similarly complex view. The Qur’an repeatedly affirms that God has control over all things. For example, “Indeed, We have created humankind in ˹constant˺ struggle, do they think that no one has power over them.” (90:4). But They also state that individuals are responsible for their actions. (“Whoever acts righteously does so for his own good and whoever commits evil does so against his soul. Your Lord is not unjust to His servants” (41:46). This tension between divine decree (qadar) and human agency has sparked centuries of discussion among Islamic scholars. Some emphasize that humans have limited free will within the boundaries the Almighty has set, while others lean toward a more deterministic view where even our choices are part of Their grand design.

Judaism, especially in its classical rabbinic tradition, tends to balance divine knowledge and human choice. The Talmud teaches that “everything is foreseen, but free will is given” (Pirkei Avot 3:15). This paradox suggests that while God may know the outcome, human beings are still accountable for their actions.

Hinduism, with its vast philosophical traditions, approaches the issue differently. The concept of karma implies a cause-and-effect system where past actions influence the present, but individuals still have agency in shaping their future through their current choices.

I can vouch that this is not purely philosophical or theological. It has played out my own life. The most vivid set of examples relates to getting rejected (university, program, or dream job) or getting pushed out of a job fall into the same bucket. In every case, was tormented and upset at the time. “Why me?” Only later did I understand “why” and in every single case, it was for the better. But I had to be patient; that moment of clarity to 6 months or five years. 

Nowhere is this clearer than in the lives of U.S. federal employees today. The constant torrent of executive decisions, shifting priorities between administrations, the finger pointing, and bureaucratic instability create a sense of frustration, helplessness, and doubt. “Am I really who I think I am or am I what they say I am?” Are these employees merely pawns in a predetermined political game, or do they still have agency to shape the institutions they serve? Many cling to the hope that their work still matters, much like Frodo clinging to Gandalf’s words—that despite the chaos, they were meant to be where they are, making whatever impact they can. As volunteers with a stipend serving a larger ethical and human purpose, not shareholders.

Why Should You Care?

The tension between free will and predestination isn’t just about theology—it influences how we see justice, responsibility, and even our lives and careers. If everything is predetermined, should we even bother trying to change the world? If free will is absolute, how do we explain systemic injustices? 

My own, personal pendulum has stopped swinging between free will and predestination as distinct ends of a spectrum. I have settled in predestined free will. God can only give you what was pre-destined IF you act in free will. Apply to the 50 jobs (free will) and then one will be the right thing for you (pre-destined). That “right” job could be the one you are in now (if you have one), even if it seems insane right now. Same for university applications, finding your favorite food, winning the lottery, or perhaps, even finding a life partner.

Do you lock your car and then hope it is safe? Prophet Muhammad told us this: secure your vehicle and then pray to God. That, to me, is the middle of the pendulum. 

Understanding these perspectives helps us navigate not only personal choices, organized religion, and societal shifts. Whether you’re a believer in fate, free will, something in between, or a combination, the way we interpret and embrace this concept shapes how we respond to the many challenges ahead.

Disclaimer: the views expressed are solely my own, published under my first amendment rights, and do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Government or any of its federal agencies.

Other Perspectives

https://www.gotquestions.org/predestination-vs-free-will.html

https://tirzareads.wordpress.com/2021/04/02/a-closer-look-into-gandalfs-wise-words-and-the-fate-free-will-question-in-lotr/