Calminian
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- Feb 14, 2005
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God's determinative will is never thwarted. He knows the beginning from the end and every thing that happens will always be in accordance with this will. But God also has desires that won't be fulfilled. He is grieved when we sin. Theologians make a distinction between His sovereign will and His moral desire. He desires none should perish (2Pet. 3:9), but has determined that those who reject His forgiveness will perish. He desires that all men are saved and come to the knowledge of the truth( 1Tim. 2:4), but has determined that only believers will be saved.
As parents we can relate to this. In a sense, we have foreknowledge also. We know that children will eventually grow up and have freewill (for certain). We don’t know specifically what they will do, good or bad, but we know for certain they will do good and bad. We don’t know specifically how they will suffer, but we know for certain they will suffer. Yet we have determined not to prevent these inevitabilities and have them anyway. We could easily prevent all evil and suffering by not having children at all. Yet we still have them. We don’t want them to disobey us, but we’ve determined to give them some room to make mistakes. We don’t like to punish them, but have determined to punish when necessary. And we don't desire them to break off all relations with us. But these are the known risks of having children and it is inevitable for some children. We desire them to turn back to us, but determine to allow them the freedom of choice and accept their choice.
So we really can't point the finger at God, without pointing the finger at ourselves.
As parents we can relate to this. In a sense, we have foreknowledge also. We know that children will eventually grow up and have freewill (for certain). We don’t know specifically what they will do, good or bad, but we know for certain they will do good and bad. We don’t know specifically how they will suffer, but we know for certain they will suffer. Yet we have determined not to prevent these inevitabilities and have them anyway. We could easily prevent all evil and suffering by not having children at all. Yet we still have them. We don’t want them to disobey us, but we’ve determined to give them some room to make mistakes. We don’t like to punish them, but have determined to punish when necessary. And we don't desire them to break off all relations with us. But these are the known risks of having children and it is inevitable for some children. We desire them to turn back to us, but determine to allow them the freedom of choice and accept their choice.
So we really can't point the finger at God, without pointing the finger at ourselves.
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) My goal is to find common ground for us to communicate and argue from premises we both accept. And of course my goal is to reason from the scriptures and provide an accurate description of the God according to it's authors (witnesses). Whether or not youll ultimately accept this God is out of my hands, but I at least want to give as much biblical support for His true nature as I can to ensure you have adequate information. Your arguments are important.
