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Jewish Forums
God and Free Choice - Printable Version

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God and Free Choice - George - 07-26-2020

The Bible says God created everything good.

But God gave us free choice.

If God hadn't given us free choice, everyone would be good.

So, what was the purpose of God giving us free will -- to choose good over evil?


RE: God and Free Choice - RabbiO - 07-26-2020

(07-26-2020, 09:21 PM)George Wrote: The Bible says God created everything good.

But God gave us free choice.

If God hadn't given us free choice, everyone would be good.

So, what was the purpose of God giving us free will -- to choose good over evil?

To give us an ability to do something G-d cannot do.


RE: God and Free Choice - Jason - 07-27-2020

It's a good line of questioning, George. You should pursue it further. Smile


RE: God and Free Choice - robrecht - 07-27-2020

(07-26-2020, 09:21 PM)George Wrote: The Bible says God created everything good. ...

God also says in deutero-Isaiah (45,7):

יוֹצֵ֥ר אוֹר֙ וּבוֹרֵ֣א חֹ֔שֶׁךְ עֹשֶׂ֥ה שָׁל֖וֹם וּב֣וֹרֵא רָ֑ע אֲנִ֥י יְהוָ֖ה עֹשֶׂ֥ה כָל־אֵֽלֶּה׃
I form light and create darkness, I make weal (שָׁלוֹם, shalom, peace) and create woe (רָע, κακά, בִישׁ, evil);— I the LORD do all these things.

We should not be so sure that we can define exactly what is good and evil, especially from God's perspective. Our perspective is typically biased and short-sighted.


RE: God and Free Choice - George - 07-28-2020

(07-27-2020, 02:43 AM)Jason Wrote: It's a good line of questioning, George. You should pursue it further. Smile

The reason God gave us free will is so we would willing choose good over evil.

Also, the Scriptures tell us that God uses evil to bring about a greater good.


RE: God and Free Choice - Jason - 07-28-2020

(07-28-2020, 04:59 PM)George Wrote: The reason God gave us free will is so we would willing choose good over evil.

Also, the Scriptures tell us that God uses evil to bring about a greater good.

Sounds like you've got it all figured out. C


RE: God and Free Choice - George - 07-29-2020

(07-27-2020, 02:43 AM)Jason Wrote: It's a good line of questioning, George. You should pursue it further. Smile

(07-28-2020, 10:38 PM)Jason Wrote:
(07-28-2020, 04:59 PM)George Wrote: The reason God gave us free will is so we would willing choose good over evil.

Also, the Scriptures tell us that God uses evil to bring about a greater good.

Sounds like you've got it all figured out. C

Someone said that God should have prevented the birth of anyone who will freely choose to do evil.

Do you see any problem with that?


RE: God and Free Choice - RabbiO - 07-29-2020

(07-29-2020, 11:56 AM)George Wrote:
(07-27-2020, 02:43 AM)Jason Wrote: It's a good line of questioning, George. You should pursue it further. Smile


Someone said that God should have prevented the birth of anyone who will freely choose to do evil.

Do you see any problem with that?

Putting aside the issue that using that criteria would result in just about nobody being born, you’re making an assumption about G-d and foreknowledge that is not the only perspective.


RE: God and Free Choice - George - 07-29-2020

(07-27-2020, 02:43 AM)Jason Wrote: It's a good line of questioning, George. You should pursue it further. Smile

(07-29-2020, 12:50 PM)RabbiO Wrote:
(07-29-2020, 11:56 AM)George Wrote:
(07-27-2020, 02:43 AM)Jason Wrote: It's a good line of questioning, George. You should pursue it further. Smile


Someone said that God should have prevented the birth of anyone who will freely choose to do evil.

Do you see any problem with that?

Putting aside the issue that using that criteria would result in just about nobody being born, you’re making an assumption about G-d and foreknowledge that is not the only perspective.

What is another perspective?


RE: God and Free Choice - Jason - 07-29-2020

If God exists beyond time; if God knows all things that may possibly be known; if God knows tomorrow as if it were yesterday; if God desires goodness in the world and would like to prevent suffering; given these assumptions, I would think it would make sense that God would either disallow the birth of grievous violators of human rights or prevent such violations from occurring (place limitations upon the "free will" of man).