You asked You asked, "...why didn't he just make us that way [perfect]?" His method to was not to simply "make us that way."
Ok - if that´s what you mean when saying "method"...
God did not create man as a completed (perfect) entity. But He does want man to become a completed (perfect) entity.
Yes, you said that already. In response to which I asked:
At what point in time will A&E be perfect, and how is this supposed to come about?
When I was young, my grandfather taught me how to build a doghouse. He could have just bought me a doghouse...but that would not set me on a path that has (at this point) culminated in me being able to finish my own basement. My grandfather didn't want me just to have a doghouse, he wanted me to be able to do something like finishing my own basement.
I do understand why - in a world that requires you to learn, grow, develop, improve - learning, growing, developing and improving are required.
But that´s not the question I have when it comes to the creation scenario. The question I have is rather: What is the point for an omniscient, omnipotent creator god to create a world that comes with those requirements, in the first place?
Those two statements are not dipolar,
Correct. They were the only options I could think of. I forgot to ask if you can think of other options. Sorry.
but God does not want us to become complete (perfect) by ourselves, nor is that even possible--
Yes, that´s what I thought.
only He is complete (perfect) and the only source of completeness (perfection).
...but at some point in time his creation will be complete (perfect), as well?
God's physical creation is no longer in progress.
So what is it that is still in progress?
What did you mean, then, by:
You seemed to be postulating that there existed a "perfect state of affairs-prior to the act of creation."
Yes, I did. I did not, however, say nor mean to imply that A&E existed before they were created.
I was referring to the state of affairs prior to the creation of everything - when god in all his perfection was all there was.
But now, let me ask you a question: If you get a satisfying answer to your question, what will you do with it?
It will add to my understanding of your theology. What I will do with it would depend on what the satisfactory answer is.
Is this the final question you need answered to become a believer in Christ?
No, I don´t think so. From where I stand there would be quite a few other inconsistencies to be solved before your theology presents a convincing model.
Or is this just a trivial pass time for you?
Your dichotomic question implies that everything that doesn´t directly and immediately lead someone to become a "believer in Christ" is "just a trivial pass time". In which case my answer would have to be "yes". However, you added "for you", and "for me" the dichotomy you presented doesn´t apply.
Personally, I am interested in learning how other people arrive at their beliefs and views, and what sort of explanations they find convincing. I don´t consider that a "trivial pass time".
