Why do some Christians believe that "God is in the driver's seat and we are just along for the ride?" Thinking logically, that would mean we are but pawns (which equates to no relationship...God playing with we, His dolls). God makes us go here and say this, etc. If this is true, then when we sin, is it not God that is making us sin? Wouldn't a better way to see it be that we are in our driver's seat, and God is reading us the map? Giving us direction on how to get to our destination, but our actions and the roads we take are in our own hands? Please logically defend the premise that God controls our lives.
2006-08-04 12:33:47 · 8 answers · asked by Guvo 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I agree with you. We are in control of our own lives, and God gives us guidance through his word, the Bible. Whether or not we choose to follow that guidance is up to us. But we do have free will, which contradicts predestination.
2006-08-04 12:38:47 · answer #1 · answered by 1big teddy graham 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The paradox of "divine sovereignty vs. free will" is a tricky one. One thing I've noticed about myself is that sometimes I might change my plans based on little things. For example, I might be planning on having a hot dog for lunch, but then I smell something good on the way to the hot dog place, and I think maybe I'll have a pizza instead. Now, yes, I made that decision of my own free will, but some of the factors which influenced my free-will decision had nothing to do with me, like the fact that somebody was cooking a certain food at a certain time, and the wind blew the aroma my way, and the traffic lights changed just so in order to get me to the spot where I'd smell the food that changed my mind, etc. Now, because I believe that God is omniscient and omnipotent, I believe that he either directed or allowed the set of circumstances that caused me to switch my decision from hot dogs to pizza, but at the same time it was still my decision. So both things are true: God is sovereign, but I have free will. And that's why the question winds up being a paradox -- because both things which seem mutually exclusive are actually both true.
2006-08-04 12:42:51 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Based on what you have written, I would agree with you. In fact, it is the concept that we normally do whatever we want (we're in the drivers seat) that makes putting God in charge unique. In reality we are in the drivers seat and God is the navigator. We don't have to listen to him, it is our choice. To be a genuine believer means to follow God's directions, trusting Him completely.
2006-08-04 12:47:35 · answer #3 · answered by Boilerfan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No we're not robots that God controlls. We have free will to come and go and do as we please. We either get it right or we get it wrong along with the good or bad consequences. God allows things in our lives. He also protects and defends. God doesn't make us go here and say this, etc. He leads and directs. It's our choice.
2006-08-04 12:42:05 · answer #4 · answered by Red neck 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Corrie Ten Boom wrote, "Some people write their agenda for the week and ask God to sign it. I would rather God write my agenda and I will sign it."
If God is "reading the map", then is He Lord? Well, actually, this may be. He is Lord as long as we obey, correct? So if God says, "turn left" we do not think twice. However, do not think in terms of a car, think in terms of a plane. There is two sticks, but they are both working in tandem. God is our pilot, we are the co-pilot. He calls the shots, and we used the charts of His Word in conjuction with the compass of faith. If we veer off course, He is able to turn to get us back on track so that we do not miss the target air strip.
God gives us the privilege to work in tandem with His will and purpose. Does He control us? No, He guides and protects us as long as we wish Him to. Can we stray off course? Sure, but nothing He cannot handle to get us back on track.
2006-08-04 12:37:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, when we mean God is in the drivers seat to me it means that he is in control of my life. He knows that right roads to go on.
2006-08-04 12:38:29 · answer #6 · answered by OnFireForJesus! 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it means we are in full confidence of where God is leading us. Or you could say we are walking hand in hand with God.
We just trust in Him. When your dad is driving the car and you are sitting in the passenger seat, don't you feel protected and safe. That is how we feel with God.
2006-08-04 14:02:46 · answer #7 · answered by morris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God created us yes, but from the very beginning He gave humans the free will to obey or disobey. God doesn't control our lives unless we let Him. He will not let us astray if we trust him
2006-08-04 12:40:15 · answer #8 · answered by JCman2010 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋