Did God know if you were going to read this thread?

[Chesterton]

​

The other possibility is that Newton's laws of motion cause the bodies in motion to stay in motion.

You're saying laws cause things? Laws describe things.

 

[Aussie Pete]

OK, you are here. Did God know if you were going to read this thread?

If yes, then how can you have free will? For you had to click that button, and there is no way you could have done anything but read this.

But if God did not know, how can he be all knowing?

Illogical. Sir Winston Churchill knew that Hitler was a warmonger who was intent on taking over Europe and Russia. How come? Hitler said so himself. Does that make Churchill responsible? No. Does that mean Churchill did not have free will? No. Knowing something is going to happen does not violate free will.

 

[zippy2006]

OK, you are here. Did God know if you were going to read this thread?

I still haven't decided if I am going to read this thread, so if God knows I sure hope he shares that information with me.

 

[Tone]

OK, you are here. Did God know if you were going to read this thread?

If yes, then how can you have free will? For you had to click that button, and there is no way you could have done anything but read this.

But if God did not know, how can he be all knowing?

I suppose He knew I was going to read the OP...I don't know if I'll read the entire thread.

"Free will" means that one is able to do the good that the Good Creator knows and has established in order to perpetuate life on earth...and beyond.

A captive will is a will that does not perceive nor has the ability to step into the light, which is clarity in knowing that the Creator is good and whatever He Speaks is good and for the good of His Creation.

As to His exhaustive knowledge, He is in the Light...the darkness He does not know.

1 John 1
"5And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth."

 

[Tone]

If God wants a relationship with us then he cannot know our choices.

He calls us out of darkness.

1 Peter 2
"9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

 

[doubtingmerle]

Knowing something is going to happen does not violate free will.

If God knows you are going to do something, do you or do you not have the freewill to do differently from what God knows?

 

[klutedavid]

I still haven't decided if I am going to read this thread, so if God knows I sure hope he shares that information with me.

I don't what to read this thread but God is forcing me, to read every single post. Help!!!!

 

[Tone]

I don't what to read this thread but God is forcing me, to read every single post. Help!!!!

Are you being forced to seek bananas as well?

 

[Aussie Pete]

If God knows you are going to do something, do you or do you not have the freewill to do differently from what God knows?

The question makes no sense. People make decisions and choices continually. God, being outside of time, knows what you will do. He knows if you are going to change your mind. It has nothing to do with free will.

 

[Aussie Pete]

Are you being forced to seek bananas as well?

Reading some of the posts is sending me bananas

 

[klutedavid]

If God knows you are going to do something, do you or do you not have the freewill to do differently from what God knows?

I don't think anyone has a pure freewill, to think and act of their own free volition, at all times. Often our choices are very limited by circumstances, some are even forced choices.

Have you ever noticed that you might be thinking thoughts and you don't know where, that thought pattern came from?
Why am I thinking about that event? I often think about a resolved past event and find myself thinking about it again. To no avail of course, because the event was resolved.

But why does the mind do this, I have made no choice to think about that prior event. Everyone suffers from these kind of thought patterns. Repeated thought patterns that are essentially useless.

 

[klutedavid]

Reading some of the posts is sending me bananas

Now the conversation has finally reached an important subject, bananas. I foreknew this would happen, does that mean that I am God?

 

[klutedavid]

Are you being forced to seek bananas as well?

Yes, I blame determinism. I was predestined to only favor Java bananas and I can't get Java bananas. Help a poor monkey.

 

[Aussie Pete]

Now the conversation has finally reached an important subject, bananas. I foreknew this would happen, does that mean that I am God?

Bananas are the only thing good for me that I like. They are verrry important.

 

[Tone]

Yes, I blame determinism. I was predestined to only favor Java bananas and I can't get Java bananas. Help a poor monkey.

Such is life in the jungle...environment.

 

[JIMINZ]

OK, you are here. Did God know if you were going to read this thread?

If yes, then how can you have free will? For you had to click that button, and there is no way you could have done anything but read this.

But if God did not know, how can he be all knowing?

Your confusing knowing with causing, there not quite the same thing, no matter how much you might want them to be.

While I'm here, you should also understand, God cannot make a rock He cannot lift.

Why not you might ask.

Because Jesus does the heavy lifting.

 

[Radagast]

OK, you are here. Did God know if you were going to read this thread?

Yes.

If yes, then how can you have free will?

Because I have compatibilist free will. There are different definitions of "free will," you know.

 

[cloudyday2]

He knows what our choices will be .... doesn't not control our choices.

Your example doesn't fly ....

foreknowledge is knowing something BEFORE it happens ... your rerun example is something that has already happened (you already watched it and have knowledge of it) that isn't foreknowledge

I see the distinction you are making, but I don't think it invalidates my point about boredom. To have a relationship with somebody that person must be somewhat predictable and also somewhat unpredictable. We know habits of our friends and family, but they surprise us too. That is how it must be between humans and God. Otherwise it is like God having a tea party with his stuffed animals.

 

[cloudyday2]

He calls us out of darkness.

1 Peter 2
"9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

Hmmm, I don't understand what you are saying.

 

[eleos1954]

I see the distinction you are making, but I don't think it invalidates my point about boredom. To have a relationship with somebody that person must be somewhat predictable and also somewhat unpredictable. We know habits of our friends and family, but they surprise us too. That is how it must be between humans and God. Otherwise it is like God having a tea party with his stuffed animals.

well ... if one studies His Word ... it IS that way it IS ... we learn (get knowledgeable) a lot about His character and love ... His inter-action with mankind through out History ... and much is predictable and also a lot is surprising .... He reveals a lot about Himself but not everything we would like to know about Him ... and then each of us have a individual spiritual relationship with Him and many times we are surprised how He works (unpredictable) in and through our lives.

it is like God having a tea party with his stuffed animals.

I mean really? Almighty God ... creator of the universe and everything in it?

That statement is obviously made from your ignorance regarding God.