Question: In the first edition of Decision Making, you spoke of decisions within the area of freedom as "nonmoral" decisions. You also described the believer's freedom as "moral" freedom. In this edition you have not used this terminology. Why?

Answer: I found that I was inadvertently confusing some people with my vocabulary. Most readers recognized what I meant when I spoke of "nonmoral decisions." If the Bible doesn't address a specific decision, such as which car to buy, then the purchase of one vehicle or another is, in and of itself, a nonmoral decision. God's command (moral will) cannot be violated. In that sense, "nonmoral decision" is a useful designation.

On the other hand, as I explain in chapter 9, there is a sense in which no decision is "nonmoral." For "the moral will of God touches every aspect and moment of life." So while a specific decision may not be directly addressed by Scripture such that there is genuine freedom of choice, our goals, attitudes, actions, and perspective that bear upon this choice are governed by the moral will of God. So when one sets out to buy a car, she will not find any biblical injunction regulating that decision. But all of the passages that address financial stewardship and Christian business ethics (among others) will apply. The moral command to be wise is also applicable-and so important that the next chapter is devoted to it.

So for the sake of consistency, and to reduce the likelihood of misunderstanding, I chose not to use "nonmoral decisions" and "moral freedom" in this edition. Instead, I describe decisions in the area of freedom as "biblically non-commanded."