If God knows that I am going to eat steak for breakfast in the morning, do I have the power to refrain from eating steak? Is it possible that God knows indeterminate things as indeterminate? For example, quantum events or acts of free will.
2006-10-05 13:34:14 · 18 answers · asked by sokrates 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Andy,
I agree with your answer, but it seems that your reply sidesteps the question. My question has to do with the actual outcome rather than the possible outcome. If what you are saying is correct, however, then God would not know the actual outcome but only the actual outcome. How, though, would that affect his omniscience?
2006-10-05 13:39:08 · update #1
Correction: God would not know the actual outcome but only the possible outcome.
2006-10-05 13:39:50 · update #2
See Acts 2:23: "this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law" (NRSV)
"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain" (KJV)
2006-10-05 13:44:51 · update #3
God could know every possible outcome to any given chain of events. Multiple outcomes could be possible but only your personal choices would decide which outcome actually occured.
2006-10-05 13:36:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is just another example of the silliness that follows from the creed that God is all-powerful and all-knowing and even knows the future. If the future is fixed and known by anyone, then there is no freedom.
There may very well be a spirit world, but remember that Christianity is an off-shoot of Judaism, a bunch of religious fanatics that did nothing but sit around all day and argue over mindless theological issues, inventing insurmountable difficulties for themselves in the process. Abandon this garbage.
PS: if you are interested in spiritual matters, why not study what the British and American Societies for Psychical Research came up with? These societies were formed by leading scientists, philosophers, writers, and politicians around 1880, because they were disillusioned with mainstream religion and wanted to know if there was any good evidence for a spiritual world over and above the material. The research they did was impeccable, their conclusions amazing.
2006-10-05 20:40:04 · answer #2 · answered by Crazy Eagle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You act according to your nature. Yes he does know. Unqualified to any degree. You shouldn't ask people. Not a clever dodge. Then it leaves the ground at, well if I argue with this guy and win, then I'm right. You should read the book. Let it get a hold of you. Logically. It takes time. People can't be trusted. At all. I've never had a problem with that book.
2006-10-05 20:37:08 · answer #3 · answered by vanamont7 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God already knows what has happened, is happening, and will happen regardless of the choices you make. (Ps. 139:16) God knows everything. He is an all powerful being who has created this universe and has given man the free will to undertake as he sees fit with God still knowing what his decisions and what the outcome will be.
2006-10-05 20:56:31 · answer #4 · answered by donefishd 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a moot point, really.
Free will is incompatible with the laws of physics. The sum total action of the brain is deterministic. It is nothing more than a neural network computer.
In short: Free will is not real. It is merely an illusion caused by complexity.
2006-10-05 20:37:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Assuming god exits I'd say he knows of all your possible actions but it's up to you which one you pick (free will). If everything were predetermined then no one would have to take responsibility for anything since you'd have no choice.
I doubt there is a god watching our every move though.
2006-10-05 20:38:15 · answer #6 · answered by DiRTy D 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Great question. I think that everything is pre-ordained but we have the illusion of free will. Your deciding to eat something other than steak was already in the cards.
2006-10-05 20:37:15 · answer #7 · answered by Cluny Brown 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course you do. You don't have to eat the steak. You could eat pizza. Even if He know's you're going to change your mind, you still have free will. Your mother knows when you're going to change your mind too. Doesn't mean that she has control over you.
2006-10-05 20:38:20 · answer #8 · answered by Justsyd 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
well, it's kind of like watching a movie. U know what's gonna happen, but you didn't control ppl's choices, even though u already knew what they were going to do. right?
they're not contradictory, it's just that it's very hard for ppl to understand, seeing as we're not God.
2006-10-05 20:44:32 · answer #9 · answered by way2kewl4u1224 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you follow what organized religion teaches there is no such thing as free will.How can you have free will if you are told you have to go to church every Sunday and donate money.That if you dont do these things you wont go to heaven.
2006-10-05 20:37:46 · answer #10 · answered by thatdamngood04 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋