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Is free-will ever really an informed choice? IDK

2PhiloVoid

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You and I obviously haven't talked much. Otherwise, you'd know that I don't posit "standard notions" about how to engage the Bible. I very much have no woodenly literal expectations of any of the biblical texts and the kind of Hermeneutics I engage in takes the various tropes of Biblical Criticism --and the pros and cons of various sides within those same tropes--and thereby, however imperfectly done, takes what you're saying very much into account.

So, thanks for your time, though.
 
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bling

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We never have all the information, but we can be judged for the choices we make given the information we have. Look at the older son in the prodigal son's parable, he does not have all the possible information he available to him, but does he have all he needs to make the choice to join or not join the party? Would the father threatening the older son help him to happily go to the party? Would the father having servants drag the son to the party help him to enjoy the party? Is it an educational issue or a heart issue? God is judging the hearts of people.
 
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SavedByGrace3

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A free will choice only makes a difference if you can actually do the thing you are choosing to do. You have the free will to choose to make the moon into a giant pizza. But since you are powerless do actually do it, it makes no difference.
What are people actually choosing when they are presented the gospel? They do not choose to believe. That is not how belief comes. Belief comes by revelation and revelation comes by a spoken word from Christ. It is little more than awareness.
What we choose to do is to begin to act in accordance with the truth we are aware of. It would be insane to act the opposite of what you know to be true, especially if it involved a cost. Pretenders do not confess Jesus if it means they will be rejected by family, friends, or co-workers. Your choice narrows down to this. If you hold that Jesus is Lord, the Bible is His word, and Righteousness is the way... then you will act in accordance with those facts. If you do not, then you will not. The choice is the corresponding actions, and they are the pudding proof.
 
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Mark Quayle

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Would you honor the misinformed free-will choice of your own child if you knew it would cause them harm?
What about the Father of all fathers? Better informed than any human father. What would he do?
Temporal harm, or eternal harm?
 
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Mark Quayle

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Your description bases on the aware intelligence of the actor. But one also acts by the mere nature of the actor. And that does not deny 'free will' as defined by 'real choice' and 'one's inclinations'.
 
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Saint Steven

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Temporal harm, or eternal harm?
I'll go with temporal, if those are my only two choices.
Like any physician. It might hurt to get the help you need.
 
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Diamond72

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That a perfect and sinless man would have to die to pay the penalty of death for them? Doubtful.
We are told that Abraham was the first to realize that. He understood that God would provide the sacrifice.
 
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