It seems that what sets us apart from other creations is that we can make choices. Is that right? On the other hand, our names are already in a book? So then the paths we choose are already decided? Then it's not really a choice, is it?
Also can angels make choices?
2006-08-14 07:00:52 · 8 answers · asked by Paper M 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There's evidence in the Bible that supports free will and evidence that supports God's "elect"....those that were already chosen by God. I think God gives us a certain amount of free will b/c He wants us to love him freely, not to be puppets. I also think God has a will for our lives, and if we pray for guidance in that will, He will reveal us and lead us. God knows what choices we will make, hence He knows whose name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life. You can't possibly try to figure out the big picture God looks at...we weren't created with minds to see that way.
Yes, angels CAN make choices. Satan was an angel and chose to be like God and was kicked out of Heaven along with his followers.
2006-08-14 07:12:49 · answer #1 · answered by SAHM2_1B_1G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I was a kid, they were thinking about bringing it back where I lived after scrapping it decades before that. People from my church were pretty vocal about protesting that. I guess I'm agnostic now, but my view hasn't changed much. There are 2 reasons I'm against it morally, and neither of them involves having sympathy for people who do terrible things to their fellow human beings. The first reason is that human beings are imperfect. We screw up. And if we execute somebody by mistake, there is no way to ever take that back. We also may not always apply the law in an entirely fair and equitable manner. Two people may be correctly judged guilty of the same crime, but they will not necessarily both be put to death or both spared. Judges and jurors have biases even if they really try not to and honestly think they are being completely fair. The second reason is that if a person - or nation - is going to take a moral stand against an act (murder), how much sense does it make to go around killing people to enforce that? I would rather see my country take the high road and err on the side of mercy. People who are too dangerous to release belong in maximum security prisons. If God judges us when we die, then he will judge us all sooner or later, including all these criminals and supposed criminals. And if not, the person still spent their life locked away where they couldn't hurt innocent people, and I think that's the most important thing. Of course we are outraged by horrible crimes, but anger is an emotion that can get us in a lot of trouble if we're not careful. Sometimes anger is okay - like when we realize injustices are being done and get angry and do something about it. But when the perpetrator is stopped, anger no longer serves a useful purpose. Religious arguments one could also make might include Jesus' remark about letting whoever is without sin throw the first stone. Of course, nobody is without sin. Also, you could look at the story of Nineveh. There was a city full of people who were being bad, and he sent Jonah to warn them to straighten up and fly right, and what do you know? They did. And God was happier with that than with destroying them, because they were his creations and he loved them even if they were being depraved for a while there. So one could speculate that perhaps God would prefer that people who commit very bad crimes continue to live and have a chance to change. It's been known to happen that someone who has committed horrible crimes does, as far as anyone can tell, become a better person in jail. Recently in the news, for example, Susan Atkins. On the practical side, having the death penalty is really expensive. It has to be, if you're going to be as careful as you can be to avoid making mistakes. Added Re: Numbers and Leviticus below - You can also read these as improvements on earlier legal systems. Eg. Supposedly in the code of Hammurabi there are instances where the person who pays the penalty for a crime is not the one who committed it, and penalties could depend on who you were and who you wronged.
2016-03-16 22:15:29 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First I am interested to answer the Second part:
In the theology, it is clearly mentioned that angels did it at several instances! Same angel in Christianity did something but in Islam it did the same work in a different method and in Zionism that angel was not existant. So there is a choice.
Coming to the first part:
God gave you a human life - thank him in the prayers!!!
He gave you a healthy body and sound brain - thank him in the prayers!!!
He gave you all the facilities to a lead a decent life - thank him in the prayers!!!
He gave you a wife who is faithful, born your baby and gave you parenthood - thank him in the prayers!!!
Pray him for a contended life and peaceful death!!!!
You have to be remembered for your good deeds after the demise - Pray to him....
In theology if you make any research you will not get answer - it will be like merry go round or chicken - egg story which was first existed!
You have to follow as mentioned in the Holy book!
2006-08-14 07:28:24 · answer #3 · answered by SESHADRI K 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What sets us apart is free will, so yes pretty much the ability to make choices. Predestiny is a tough concept to deal with in Christianity. We all have a home in Heaven, but its up to us if we want to go there. I think in the end we will all end up there, but some of us might not make it on the first try. I think after the 2nd coming, even those in hell will have a chance at redemption.
2006-08-14 07:10:13 · answer #4 · answered by dunleavyblows 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only fate/destiny that wait a person is when they reject what the Lord Jesus Christ did on the cross for them. He died for your sins, He was buried and took your sins away and He rose again the third day for your justification. John 3: 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. Adam made a choice. He chose to not to do what God told him to do. You have a free will you can believe what He done for you or you can reject it. Angels also have a choice one third of them chose to follow Lucifer when He decided that He wanted to be worshiped. Isaiah 14: 13 For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
2006-08-14 07:15:54 · answer #5 · answered by Ray W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are saved by God. You were wrote in the lambs book of life when you were saved, not before. I do not know if angels can make choices, but God loves us the angels and we are higher on his priority list than the angels.
2006-08-14 07:07:04 · answer #6 · answered by jyoung902003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we are part of a plan. We still have choice and freedom to choose but God already knows what we will decide so he plans around that
2006-08-14 07:08:28 · answer #7 · answered by notw777 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are a part of the great plan.
God has all the answers. Accept him into your lfe and all will be clear my friend.
God loves you.
TFTP
2006-08-14 07:06:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋