''There is an unknown interaction between free will and pre-determinism that is part of this argument I feel.
This effectively renders us into being robots or puppets. Clearly, God is interested in removing us from being His puppets.''
Free will is a contentious issue at the best of times. How we think, feel, act and decide is not a matter pf will. Our character and personality, how we act and decide, including our conscious will is shaped by many factors. Genetics, environment, culture, society, language, life experiences, education, etc, etc....so it's not a matter of being 'puppets' but the whole package. The free will issue is a red herring.
