Biblical contradictions

[Kaleb Dark]

Hi,

I'm a cynical christian wresting with some obscure problems which I'd like some opinions upon ...

* Free will
(first take)
If God is omnipotent then he knows everything that is going to happen, if he knows every that is going to happen in our lives before he creates us then there is no such thing as free-will.

If there is no free-will then this contradicts the bible ... hence the bible is false?

(second take)
Free will exists, thus God doesn't know what mankind is going to do ... hence he isn't omnipotent ... and the bible is false?

* God created the devil?
If God is omnipotent why did he create the devil? ... and why does he allow the devil to continue?

If he created the devil on purpose knowing the evil he was to do, surely this makes God non-good?

* Garden of Eden
I have 3 kids, if I have something harmful in the house then I ensure its safely tucked away out of reach - why have the tree of knowledge easily in reach of Adam and Eve? ...

Plus if God is omnipotent then he set them up for a fall anyway as he 'knew' they were going to do this ... surely not the act of a 'good' God.

* Why no proof?
If God is good then why is it impossible to prove which of the many religions in the world are 'right'. Surely a good God would give some sort of clue as to which is the true religion (if any) rather than making individuals guess and cross their fingers?

 

[12volt_man]

If God is omnipotent then he knows everything that is going to happen, if he knows every that is going to happen in our lives before he creates us then there is no such thing as free-will.

How does foreknowledge negate free will?

If there is no free-will then this contradicts the bible ... hence the bible is false?

Not necessarily. The Bible doesn't specifically teach free will over predestination. I come down on the side of free will but I also acknowledge that there are strong arguments against it, too.

[/quote]Free will exists, thus God doesn't know what mankind is going to do ... hence he isn't omnipotent ... and the bible is false?[/quote]

Again, you haven't demonstrated that foreknowledge negates free will.

If God is omnipotent why did he create the devil?

Why not? That has nothing to do with omnipotence.

and why does he allow the devil to continue?

Because it's not his time yet. The Bible tells us that while the devil is loose for a time, he will be stopped at the appropriate time. For the Christian, Satan has been defeated, anyway.

If he created the devil on purpose knowing the evil he was to do, surely this makes God non-good?

Not if Satan has free will. I think it's pretty clear from the story of Lucifer's fall that he made a conscious decision to rebel, thus, showing that he has free will.

I have 3 kids, if I have something harmful in the house then I ensure its safely tucked away out of reach - why have the tree of knowledge easily in reach of Adam and Eve? ...

While I take the Bible literally, I believe that the tree is metaphorical.

Plus if God is omnipotent then he set them up for a fall anyway as he 'knew' they were going to do this ... surely not the act of a 'good' God.

Not if Adam and Eve had free will.

If God is good then why is it impossible to prove which of the many religions in the world are 'right'. Surely a good God would give some sort of clue as to which is the true religion (if any) rather than making individuals guess and cross their fingers?

I disagree. I believe that we can demonstrate the claims of Christ to a reasonable degree.

 

[linden77]

Hi,

I'm a cynical christian wresting with some obscure problems which I'd like some opinions upon ...
* Free will
(first take)
If God is omnipotent then he knows everything that is going to happen, if he knows every that is going to happen in our lives before he creates us then there is no such thing as free-will.

I look at it like this. We as humans have free will, period. I can choose to do what ever I will in a sense. I can choose to go to the store now, or I can choose to go to the store in 1 hour. I certainly have free will when it comes to believing in Jesus Christ as my personal savior. Now, just because I choose every single day doesn't mean that God holds me in a string like position and says "do this" or "not that". It doesn't happen like that. He knows everything I'm going to do from birth to death. This doesn't change my free will at all.

If there is no free-will then this contradicts the bible ... hence the bible is false?

operation overthink, the Bible is the Word of God, it is not false.

(second take)
Free will exists, thus God doesn't know what mankind is going to do ... hence he isn't omnipotent ... and the bible is false?

Just by observing what is happening in the world today should make one pause and reflect about Jesus Chrsit and their future

* God created the devil?
If God is omnipotent why did he create the devil? ... and why does he allow the devil to continue?

This is a true statement, technically God created Lucifer (God created Adam). He was the top angel and guarded God's throne room (Adam was ruler of this world). Lucifer was created perfect (Adam was created perfect). And we know that he was not a robot because Lucifer had volition (Adam had volition). How do we know this? Lucifer made a decision to in effect disobey God (Adam made a decision to disobey God.) I believe that the tree was a real tree with real fruit, that Adam and Eve saw everyday.

If he created the devil on purpose knowing the evil he was to do, surely this makes God non-good?

Yes, God knew that Lucifer would fall, just like He knew Adam would fall. Would you agree that this world is a mess? Don't blame it on God, blame it on Satan (name changed after the fall).

* Garden of Eden
I have 3 kids, if I have something harmful in the house then I ensure its safely tucked away out of reach - why have the tree of knowledge easily in reach of Adam and Eve? ...

Can you really ensure their safety 100%? I suspect a high amount of injuries to children happen when they are playing.

Plus if God is omnipotent then he set them up for a fall anyway as he 'knew' they were going to do this ... surely not the act of a 'good' God.

Romans 8:28 .. He (God the Father) causes ALL things to work for GOOD , for those who love Him and for those who are called to His predetermined plan

* Why no proof?
If God is good then why is it impossible to prove which of the many religions in the world are 'right'. Surely a good God would give some sort of clue as to which is the true religion (if any) rather than making individuals guess and cross their fingers?

technically, Christianity is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. God doesn't care for religion too much, in fact He "hates" religion (see Matt.23:13 and following). Religion killed Jesus Christ. But again, look at Romans 8:28.

Linden77

 

[bshaw96]

Hello . Im not yet a Bible scholar , but will tell you my feelings on this. I believe you are having issues with trust. I say that because you sound just like me, not so long ago either. I questioned everything. And always had the "what if Im wrong" question in my head. In my mind, what made my "religion" any more correct than others? And my biggest theological question was why did Jesus have to die? God is God for goodness sake, surely He could have come up with another plan. I also struggled with the free will thing. I felt like we were created "flawed (sinful)" and were then being punished for it. All I can say is what you're asking is normal, and good. It means you're searching for deeper knowledge. Only may I suggest you get real with God and take these concerns to Him. You might be amazed the peace He will give you. There are still MANY things I don't understand. But that's OK. I have a human mind trying to figure out an omnipotent God. It only makes me anxious. My issue was trust. I wanted to have "proof". I wanted to see it, smell it, touch it, taste it, etc. Then I could believe. One day this will all make sense to us, but until then, we just have to give it to God and let go. It will get easier, I know. I am the queen of mistrust and doubt and now Im carrying on daily conversations with God. I can't see Him, but I definitely feel Him! Questions are normal. What would be abnormal is if you didn't have doubts, fears, and questions. God bless!!!

 

[LegomasterJC]

Hi,

I'm a cynical christian wresting with some obscure problems which I'd like some opinions upon ...

* Free will
(first take)
If God is omnipotent then he knows everything that is going to happen, if he knows every that is going to happen in our lives before he creates us then there is no such thing as free-will.

I don't know how you define free will but just because someone knows I'm going to choose something because they have seen it in the future, doesn't make it any less my choice. We still have free will. Gos just knows what we will choose.

If there is no free-will then this contradicts the bible ... hence the bible is false? But there is free will.

(second take)
Free will exists, thus God doesn't know what mankind is going to do ... hence he isn't omnipotent ... and the bible is false? Again taken on the false assumption that God's omnipotents depends on free will.

* God created the devil?
If God is omnipotent why did he create the devil? ... and why does he allow the devil to continue? The day will come when the devil is put in his place. God created Lucifer head of the worshiping angels who turned away from God bringing with him only 1/3 of the angels with him. If God had not allowed free will and not allowed the devil to tempt Eve, man would not have sinned, Jesus would not have died for us, and we would not know just how much God really does love us.

If he created the devil on purpose knowing the evil he was to do, surely this makes God non-good? See the big picture.

* Garden of Eden
I have 3 kids, if I have something harmful in the house then I ensure its safely tucked away out of reach - why have the tree of knowledge easily in reach of Adam and Eve? ... So that we might truely know how much God loves us.

Plus if God is omnipotent then he set them up for a fall anyway as he 'knew' they were going to do this ... surely not the act of a 'good' God. If there was nothing else for man to choose besides God, There would not be free will.

* Why no proof?
If God is good then why is it impossible to prove which of the many religions in the world are 'right'. Surely a good God would give some sort of clue as to which is the true religion (if any) rather than making individuals guess and cross their fingers?

There is more viable evidence of the true God, of Jesus' Life and resurection etc. than any other religion or history. "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel a reporter whose wife became Christian while he was still athiest and he researched a lot about it. Many questions are answered in that book and He became a Christian after seeing all the evidence. And He only writes about the island above the water even though he researched much of the mountain below the water. I also agree with a point made before that Christianity is supposed to be a personal relationship with Jesus (God), not just mundane practices and routines.

 

[Rafael]

God created the devil?
If God is omnipotent why did he create the devil? ... and why does he allow the devil to continue?

If he created the devil on purpose knowing the evil he was to do, surely this makes God non-good?

* Garden of Eden
I have 3 kids, if I have something harmful in the house then I ensure its safely tucked away out of reach - why have the tree of knowledge easily in reach of Adam and Eve? ...

Plus if God is omnipotent then he set them up for a fall anyway as he 'knew' they were going to do this ... surely not the act of a 'good' God.

* Why no proof?
If God is good then why is it impossible to prove which of the many religions in the world are 'right'. Surely a good God would give some sort of clue as to which is the true religion (if any) rather than making individuals guess and cross their fingers?

Have you ever tried to paint a picture of yourself or anything else only using white? So if you are going to create a creature in your own image and a universe that reveals things about yourself to it so you can teach it what love is, you have to create evil as a defining contrast to the light and then make all the colors, dark and light, to give character and color to the masterpiece you paint as the artist. Do you think that love would be an easy thing to teach your creation? God had a important reason for placing man in the garden with a devil, and in the end, it will all work out for good to those that love God and are the called according to His purpose of love. He will triumph over evil and will show us what love is, as He has done by coming in the flesh of man and giving His own life for our penalty as a race of beings for falling into sin and death when a choice was given of obedience and warning of danger. So we are twice His. He created us and gave us the breathe of life and then bought us back from death, offering us new life in Him through Christ. What more can we ask of Him?
The tree of knowledege was that choice and decision that Adam and Eve were deceived into partaking of by the devil. The problem is resolved in Christ.
Imagining that God sets people up because He has power we don't even comprehend is kinda proud and evil to think, wouldn't you say? If each man bears responsibility and gives an account for their lives and God takes the time to point this out to each and every person that has ever lived at the Great White throne judgment day, do you think He would waste His time and be guilty of injustice? That's ridiculous to think, but we do this as men out of ignorance and our inherited nature of pride after the fall. We do not understand what it is like to stand outside of time and see begining to end at the same moment. So if we do not have that power, then why would we be inclined to imagine God does evil with that power and not good? The Bible clearly tells us that He makes ALL things work together for good to those that love Him, and this includes evil. It is turned around into a blessing for His family that accept His love and are willing to obey His commandments of love. As soon as men start speaking for God concerning omniscince and predestination, they are out of their element and may say anything, so trust and have faith in God's love and good will that "it is His will that not any should perish but come to repentance" is the right approach to God.

2Pet.3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Ro 9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:

 

[Underdog77]

* Free will
(first take)
If God is omnipotent then he knows everything that is going to happen, if he knows every that is going to happen in our lives before he creates us then there is no such thing as free-will.

If there is no free-will then this contradicts the bible ... hence the bible is false?

My thought on this is fairly simple: God has the power to exist out of time, correct? If this is true then He can already know the future. God can know what man WILL choose in the future. Man still has free will but God knows how he will exercise that free will and thus can make appropriate interventions.

* God created the devil?
If God is omnipotent why did he create the devil? ... and why does he allow the devil to continue?

Although I don't know why the devil was created I do have a couple of rough ideas.
1) God made angels perfect with a free will just as he made us (not to say that humans and angels are equals and the same but rather angels and humans were made in the same fashion; perfect, without natural flaws, and having free will). One third of the angels fell with Satan when the used their free will to do evil.
So God created perfection but that creation went on to blemish itself with evil
2) My second idea concerns God's glory. The chief end of God is to glorify Himself (I can explain this if I need to). While His glory alone is awesome, how much better is it when compared to the evil of Satan? God's glory in contrast to all the evil that has occured is so much more lovely.
So God may have created a being that would choose evil just to show how good He is.

I do know that God has not destroyed the devil for at least one reason. Satan is protected by God's word. The Bible says the devil will be put away after the 7 years of tribulation (which occurs after the rapture). Since neither of those events have happened the devil can feel safe for now.

* Garden of Eden
I have 3 kids, if I have something harmful in the house then I ensure its safely tucked away out of reach - why have the tree of knowledge easily in reach of Adam and Eve? ...

Then Adam and Eve wouldn't really have free will, would they? If they can't choose evil then they are puppets in a set scenario. If God had kept the tree away then Adam and Eve would have lived in paradise forever. But they would not be choosing to be there, without evil there is nothing else to do except good and if that's the case then you really aren't 'choosing' good, its a default.

Plus if God is omnipotent then he set them up for a fall anyway as he 'knew' they were going to do this ... surely not the act of a 'good' God.

Again, just because bad things happen on account of the creation, this is not grounds to blame the Creator. God did not set up humans for a fall, He set them up in paradise. Humans are the ones who choose sin, evil, and banishment from the presence of God.
God is just and will give you the oppertunity to choose evil just as He has presented the oppertunity to choose good. You just have to make up your mind.

* Why no proof?
If God is good then why is it impossible to prove which of the many religions in the world are 'right'. Surely a good God would give some sort of clue as to which is the true religion (if any) rather than making individuals guess and cross their fingers?

One source I've read said that there is more historical evidence the Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose from the dead than Goerge Washington was ever president. That is a lot of evidence. Jesus' existence is not arguable and His life was the ultimate testimony to God's existence.

Outside of Christ there is evidence in the realms of biology, civilizations, pyschology, prophecies, natural sciences, and many more!

There is way to much to write down here or in any one book but there is one book that summerizes everything pretty good; The Case For Christ by Lee Strobel is excellant along with his other books. Read it if you are serious.

 

[CPman2004]

What is Free Will? I like to think of it in terms of Artifical Intelligence.

First, you create a program that would allow a robot to have artifical intelligence. The robot now has decsison making capability. Lets say that it rejects the command of the person who created it. That is within it's programing, because it can make it's own choices, but the ability to make those choices are based on the program that the creator made. God created Free Will so that we can willingly love him, for without that capability of Free Will, we could not truely Love God.

As for the whole time thing....
I like how C. S. Lewis described it. Say that I have a piece of paper with a line drawn in the middle. The line represents time. God is the paper on which the line is drawn on. He is both outside and inside time.

 

[fiveinjuly]

I think that if we were just poppets on a string for God, then we would all be worshipping him no matter what.

Think of it this way, if you were running a big company, and you wanted to make the most money possible and become the richest that you could possibly be, and you had the ability to control all of your workers' thoughts and actions and how well they worked, wouldn't you make them work all the time and do the best for you that they could.

Turing this back to God. If He had us like puppets on a string, don't you think that EVERYONE would believe in him and do everything that he commanded? Evidently God gives us the freewill to choose to follow him or not.

There are two wills, God's perfect will, and our free will. You can choose to follow God's perfect will, and he will have you like a puppet on a string, and he will know everything that you will do.

You can follow your own free will, and God will still know what you are going to do, but he isn't going to lead you all of the time, he'll leave little clues out there for you so that you might start to follow his perfect will, but it is your overall choice wether or not you take heed.

 

[Karl - Liberal Backslider]

Hi,

I'm a cynical christian wresting with some obscure problems which I'd like some opinions upon ...

* Free will
(first take)
If God is omnipotent then he knows everything that is going to happen, if he knows every that is going to happen in our lives before he creates us then there is no such thing as free-will.

Only if God exists in time and is "seeing the future". If He exists outside of time, then He sees your free action in His eternal "now".

If there is no free-will then this contradicts the bible ... hence the bible is false?

The Bible is a big book. It doesn't stand or fall on individual "bits", whether they are true or not. And there are many levels of "true" - the parables of Jesus are true on a different level to a history textbook.

(second take)
Free will exists, thus God doesn't know what mankind is going to do ... hence he isn't omnipotent ... and the bible is false?

Interestingly, the Bible never says He is omnipotent. That doesn't mean He isn't, but it does mean that His omnipotence or otherwise isn't an issue with regard to the Bible.

* God created the devil?
If God is omnipotent why did he create the devil? ... and why does he allow the devil to continue?

The devil is inevitable. If there is good, but not everything is good, then evil exists by definition, as "not good". I see the devil as being a construct that figureheads evil; as such, the devil is logically inevitable.

If he created the devil on purpose knowing the evil he was to do, surely this makes God non-good?

If the devil is a personal being, there is some currency in that question. I'm far from sure he that he is.

* Garden of Eden
I have 3 kids, if I have something harmful in the house then I ensure its safely tucked away out of reach - why have the tree of knowledge easily in reach of Adam and Eve? ...

Plus if God is omnipotent then he set them up for a fall anyway as he 'knew' they were going to do this ... surely not the act of a 'good' God.

It's symbolic. It's a story telling us what human beings are like. We're the sort of people who, if you put us in an environment like the Garden of Eden describes, would take the fruit the moment your back was turned. That's what we're like. That's why we are out of kilter with God.

* Why no proof?
If God is good then why is it impossible to prove which of the many religions in the world are 'right'. Surely a good God would give some sort of clue as to which is the true religion (if any) rather than making individuals guess and cross their fingers?

I can think of half a dozen things which are proven to all intents and purposes, and yet shedloads of people refuse to believe them. I don't think proof really comes into it for a lot of people - Jesus' parable of the rich man and Lazarus is all about this.

There is also the question of how much it matters if we get it honestly wrong.

 

[Rafael]

Interestingly, the Bible never says He is omnipotent.

Re 19:6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.

Job 42:2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

Ps 115:3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

Ps 135:6 Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.

Isa 43:13 Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?

Hab 3:6 He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.

Mt 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Mr 14:36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

Lu 1:37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

 

[jewishprincess613]

If God is omnipotent then he knows everything that is going to happen, if he knows every that is going to happen in our lives before he creates us then there is no such thing as free-will.

Just because G~d KNOWS what we will do, doesn't mean he FORCES us to do it. Same thing is if you decide to jump off a cliff. I may KNOW that you will die or be seriously injured, yet you still have the CHOICE to do it, do you not?

If there is no free-will then this contradicts the bible ... hence the bible is false?

We DO have free will. See above.

Free will exists, thus God doesn't know what mankind is going to do ... hence he isn't omnipotent ... and the bible is false?

For some reason you seem to think that just because G~d KNOWS what we will do, he FORCES us to do it? Why do you think this? It isn't logical to me....

If God is omnipotent why did he create the devil? ... and why does he allow the devil to continue?

According to my religion, G~d created Satan as an angel. But Satan is not a fallen angel, nor is he evil. He is there merely to tempt us humans. He is only doing the job which he was created for. And what he does is not evil or wicked, he was created to TEST us. He continues to exist because the World to Come has not yet come, and we are still being tested.

If he created the devil on purpose knowing the evil he was to do, surely this makes God non-good?

I don't believe Satan does non-good. Satan does what G~d tells him to do, he has no free-will. People who give into temptation do evil, not Satan himself. Satan only does what G~d tells him to do. G~d created him to test our faith so that we would come to Him. This is not a bad thing. It is to make us strong, not to bring chaos onto the Earth. G~d loves us and wants us to come to Him and He is infinately good.

why have the tree of knowledge easily in reach of Adam and Eve? ...

In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had but one commandment: do not touch the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Yet Satan tempted them and they gave into this temptation. They had FREE-WILL to eat the fruit. Just as, believe it or not, your 3 children have free-will to do anything regardless of how much you keep things out of reach. If they want something and are tempted and determined to do it, they WILL.

Plus if God is omnipotent then he set them up for a fall anyway as he 'knew' they were going to do this ... surely not the act of a 'good' God.

He did know what was going to happen. G~d's purpose was not to keep mankind in the Garden of Eden. He wants to share His goodness, but for Him to just hand it over to us on a silver platter would not be fulfilling. We must live life and EARN His goodness so that we may APPRECIATE the joy of the World to Come.

If God is good then why is it impossible to prove which of the many religions in the world are 'right'.

I personally don't think it is impossible. I am sure I believe in the truth, however, I will be respectful here as a guest and not get into detail.

Surely a good God would give some sort of clue as to which is the true religion (if any) rather than making individuals guess and cross their fingers?

There are clues everywhere just not everyone will open their eyes and their hearts and see them. Remember, we DO have FREE-WILL and not everyone is going to accept the truth.

G~d bless you on your path!
~Jewishprincess613~

 

[dtrb]

The only thing I can tell you is to read "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. It will answer many of your questions on this subject.

 

[lucaspa]

(second take)
Free will exists, thus God doesn't know what mankind is going to do ... hence he isn't omnipotent ... and the bible is false?

How does this make the Bible false? The Bible has God being very powerful. But not omnipotent. Omnipotence is an extrapolation from what is in the Bible. The question is: just how powerful does an entity have to be in order to be God? Does that entity have to be omnipotent? I don't think so.

The Bible is very clear that our lives have meaning. We make choices and those choices have real consequences. In order for our lives to have meaning, the future has to be open. Therefore God is not omniscient within the universe. Whether God is omniscient outside the universe He created is a separate issue that no one can answer. But God created a universe where it is impossible to know, even for Him, exactly what will happen in the future.

That does not mean that God knows nothing about what will happen. God is very wise and knowing. I am not omniscient, but I know my daughters well enough that I can predict, or prophecy, what they will do in particular circumstances. They still have free will, but knowing them I know which choice they are overwhelmingly likely to make. I could still be surprised, and so can God.

* Garden of Eden
I have 3 kids, if I have something harmful in the house then I ensure its safely tucked away out of reach - why have the tree of knowledge easily in reach of Adam and Eve? ...

yes, this is a problem if you read Genesis 3 literally. God isn't very bright here, is He? However, are you sure that you should be reading Genesis 2-3 literally? The answer is "no". When you realize this is a story to tell you truths about how humans relate to God, but is not literal, this problem goes away.

* Why no proof?
If God is good then why is it impossible to prove which of the many religions in the world are 'right'. Surely a good God would give some sort of clue as to which is the true religion (if any) rather than making individuals guess and cross their fingers?

Maybe they are all "right" to a certain extent. Jesus declared that "in my Father's house are many rooms". God knows that humans are very variable. No two of them think alike. Therefore, no one path to God will work for every person. So God set up a number of different paths -- Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam -- to find Him. Different paths work for different people, but they all lead to the same God.

Look within Christianity. Humans are so different and argumentative that there are over 20,000 denominations of Christianity. Would you say that Baptists have the monopoly, or Methodists? Or is it that Baptist works for some and Methodist for others and Catholic for still others. Yet they all get to the same God and Jesus.

OR, it could be like the scene from South Park, where people are waiting to get into heaven and the herald informs them: "Mormonism is the right answer. Mormonism. All the rest of you can go away." Like you, I don't think God would work that way, so I favor the first idea.

 

[GodFlute2]

Give me scripture refrences to work with & maybe I can tell you something.

 

[Asar'el]

Hi,

I'm a cynical christian wresting with some obscure problems which I'd like some opinions upon ...

* Free will
(first take)
If God is omnipotent then he knows everything that is going to happen, if he knows every that is going to happen in our lives before he creates us then there is no such thing as free-will.

If there is no free-will then this contradicts the bible ... hence the bible is false?

(second take)
Free will exists, thus God doesn't know what mankind is going to do ... hence he isn't omnipotent ... and the bible is false?

* God created the devil?
If God is omnipotent why did he create the devil? ... and why does he allow the devil to continue?

If he created the devil on purpose knowing the evil he was to do, surely this makes God non-good?

* Garden of Eden
I have 3 kids, if I have something harmful in the house then I ensure its safely tucked away out of reach - why have the tree of knowledge easily in reach of Adam and Eve? ...

Plus if God is omnipotent then he set them up for a fall anyway as he 'knew' they were going to do this ... surely not the act of a 'good' God.

* Why no proof?
If God is good then why is it impossible to prove which of the many religions in the world are 'right'. Surely a good God would give some sort of clue as to which is the true religion (if any) rather than making individuals guess and cross their fingers?

Many good answers have already been offered to this post... I'd like to add a question (of sorts) for the poster (and indeed, others that are inclined to think likewise ), instead:

It is one thing to ask 'why' to learn - and quite another to ask 'why' in judgement. Which are you doing? Beware that your opinion ('...this means that God...' etc.) seems very much to be you (a creature) passing judgement on God (the Creator).

God is the one we must approach to learn from - not to judge according to our (fallen) standards. Truth is what God declares, not what we think. Good is what God is, and whatever agrees with God, not what we would like to think of as good. It is the same with all the 'absolutes' - they are derived from the True Absolute, the only one that can (and did) say, 'I AM THAT I AM'.

 

[Lyle]

* Free will
(first take)
If God is omnipotent then he knows everything that is going to happen, if he knows every that is going to happen in our lives before he creates us then there is no such thing as free-will.

First you'd have fun trying to prove free will to alot ofChristians. Many disagree with the whole concept. But as for me, I'll just debunk the arguement and move on. You assume that even though God gave man a free will, that by knowing what will happen this some how destroys it. Just because God knows what's going to happen doesn't mean He didn't give us a free will.

* God created the devil?
If God is omnipotent why did he create the devil? ... and why does he allow the devil to continue?

A. Because He's just..
B. For His glory...

* Garden of Eden
I have 3 kids, if I have something harmful in the house then I ensure its safely tucked away out of reach - why have the tree of knowledge easily in reach of Adam and Eve?

The tree of the knowledge of good and evil never has any superpowers. The only reason it was wrong to eat from was because God said so. It was a test to see whether they would turn away, or obey God...

* Why no proof?
If God is good then why is it impossible to prove which of the many religions in the world are 'right'. Surely a good God would give some sort of clue as to which is the true religion (if any) rather than making individuals guess and cross their fingers?

He has, and any logical mind can see it...

 

[LegomasterJC]

"Maybe they are all "right" to a certain extent. Jesus declared that "in my Father's house are many rooms". God knows that humans are very variable. No two of them think alike. Therefore, no one path to God will work for every person. So God set up a number of different paths -- Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam -- to find Him. Different paths work for different people, but they all lead to the same God."
This is false. Jesus said He is the only way, truth and life. The many rooms only show that there is enough space in heaven for many people, not that many paths to God are possible. The only way to the Father is through Jesus Christ, His Son, and Our Lord.

 

[BarryE]

Very good questions, as the Bible is rife with logical inconsistencies. One other to chew on: If God condemns killing, why would God command the genocide of other races, as with the Amalekites?

 

[MOKUSO]

While on the topic of Bible Contradictions, could someone please explain the following to to me:

1. "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" vs "turn the other cheek", why promote two completely different options instead of one?

2. Why aren't cats mentioned in the Bible even though the ancient Egyptians worshipped them as Gods thousands of years before Christ was born?

3. Why aren't Dinosaurs mentioned in Genesis during the period between the Earth being created and the creation of man, science has shown that they existed for 160,000,000 years right up until 65,000,000 years ago? Quite a substantial amount of time to just leave out.

Many Thanks