The problem of 'free will' and the responsibility for exercising 'free will' have been among the central issues of philosophical and religious thought since ancient times. In Christian theology, St. Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Soren Kierkegaard among others have deliberated at length on the issue of free will. Augustine, for example, concedes the existence of free will and its relation to man's salvation, but at the same time emphasizes the need for divine grace. Luther and Calvin, on the other hand, taught that such a thing as "free choice in man" does not exist and such power belongs to no one but God alone, "for God alone is free to do what He desires to be done." Kierkegaard view on man's free will is that only an infinite power can so relate to man as to constitute and maintain man's freedom. I believe that most of these religious scholars have struggled to explain the concept of free will in a clear manner due to their need to acknowledge the omnipotent and omniscient nature of God while recognizing the seemingly contradictory existence of rational thought and freedom of choice. In this paper I shall give a brief review of Augustine, Luther, Calvin, and Kierkegaard's theories on "free will and responsibility" and explain how far I agree or disagree with their theories.
             Augustine's Theory of Free Will: St. Augustine recognizes the "freedom of will" and has clearly stated in his writings: "there can be no denying that we have a will." At the same time, he emphasizes very strongly the absolute rule of God over man's will due to His omnipotence and omniscience and also insists on the necessity of divine grace for doing good ("Free Will" Para on Catholic Doctrine). Augustine developed his doctrine of free will in response to the teaching of Manichaeism; an ancient religion of Iranian origin, which August...