Freedom—with restrictions

The free Self, capable of self-determination, belongs to the original constitution of man as created by God. But from the very outset this freedom is limited. It is not primary but secondary. Indeed, it does not posit itself — like the Self of Idealism — but it is posited; it is not a se but a Deo. Hence although man's answer is free, it is also limited. God wills my freedom, it is true, because He wills to glorify Himself, and to give Himself. He wills my freedom in order to make this answer possible; my freedom is therefore, from the outset, a responsible one. Responsibility is restricted freedom, which distinguishes human from divine freedom; and it is a restriction which is also free — and this distinguishes our human limited freedom from that of the rest of creation. The animals, and God, have no responsibility — the animals because they are below the level of responsibility, and God, because He is above it; the animals because they have no freedom, and God because He has absolute freedom. Man, however, has a limited freedom. This is the heart of his being as man, and it is the “condition” on which he possesses freedom. In other words, this limited human freedom is the very purpose for which man has been created: he possesses this “freedom” in order that he may respond to God, in such a way that through this response God may glorify Himself, and give Himself to His creature.—Emil Brunner, The Christian Doctrine of Creation and Redemption, 57 (emphasis original)