The following warnings occurred:
Warning [2] Undefined property: MyLanguage::$thread_modes - Line: 46 - File: showthread.php(1617) : eval()'d code PHP 8.1.27 (Linux)
File Line Function
/inc/class_error.php 153 errorHandler->error
/showthread.php(1617) : eval()'d code 46 errorHandler->error_callback
/showthread.php 1617 eval




Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
God and Free Choice
#1
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?
Reply
#2
(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.
בקש שלום ורדפהו
Reply
#3
It's a good line of questioning, George. You should pursue it further. Smile
Reply
#4
(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.
Reply
#5
(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.
Reply
#6
(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
Reply
#7
(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?
Reply
#8
(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.
בקש שלום ורדפהו
Reply
#9
(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?
Reply
#10
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).
Reply


Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)