Has God foreordained everything? If so, did he foreordain that some people commit suicide?

Question

If God has foreordained that certain humans commit suicide, then would it be just for him to punish individuals who commit suicide?

Steeel, why would God foreordain that someone commit suicide before that person is born, when they have not done what is right or wrong? Furthermore, what purpose would this serve? It makes no sense to me. Then, if God will punish them, as some Christians teach--that makes even less sense.

Blaken, I am already doing something to prevent suicide. I spend my life giving people a reason to live: that is my vocation and avocation. Sorry, but I cannot believe in my self. We all need an ultimate ground of being (Paul Tillich).

Crt, God reveals HIMSELF as a "He" in the Bible. That does not mean that God is a man (Numbers 23:19). But calling God "he" is much better than calling God "it." And while I have no objection to viewing God as feminine in a symbolic manner, the Bible never addresses God as mother. But that is another subject.

John Calvin uses the term "predestination." He states:

"Predestination we call the eternal decree of God, by which He has determined in Himself what would have to become of every individual of mankind. For they are not all created with a similar destiny; but eternal life is fore-ordained for some, and eternal damnation for others. "

So Calvin argues that some humans are destined for eternal life, others for eternal damanation. In fact, does not Calvin believe that God causes everything?

toastette, I don't believe that God has foreordained everything. But certain people claiming to follow Christ do hold that belief. If what they say is true, it seems to me that God must have predestined that some humans commit suicide or that he foreordained events like the Holocaust or 9-11. That is not my belief. In fact, that view is absurd to me.

I appreciate all the answers I received. I'm going to let you all vote for the best answer. It is a tough decision for me.

Answer 1

Here is the point to the Bible...
Jesus died for our sins... Whether it be commit suicide, theft, murder, etc... So all will be forgiven if you sincerely ask for it.... BUT!!! The Bible teaches you how to be a better person so you don't do those things. We are all connected through God... Doing something to one person affects us all... Have you ever dated, or known someone who was raped? Would you trust a stranger as easily, if other strangers had mugged, or just plain old jumped you? etc... These actions create a ripple affect that start at the person being affected, and radiate out amongst family, and friends. Then on to classmates/co-workers, and so forth...
CyberNara

Answer 2

No, I don't believe God has foreordained everything. Whilst God may weakly actualize that a person is in a particular situation, God has given humans freewill. By having freewill God cannot prevent us from performing certain actions, no matter how unfortunate the actions are, for if he did so he would be impugning the agents free will. For there to be moral good in the world, God had to create free beings, who are free to perform all actions, even the morally reprehensible ones.
If God limits our actions and we are free only to perform good deeds then we are not really free.

Answer 3

Hey! You're starting to think...a great step forward. And that's a good question. Here's a better one...

"Is HE (God) willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then he is impotent. Is HE able, but not willing? Then HE is malevolent. Is he both able and willing? Then HE is evil."

Better start believing in yourself...what are YOU doing in the world to prevent suicide?

Saw your comment...I'm sorry. What I mean is to build your own self confidence and try to be satisfied with what you are doing in the world. All you can do is all you can do and all you can do is enough. Of course you are doing all you can but sometimes it just never seems like enough, does it?

When I feel like that I stop, step away from the situation a little, breathe deeply and then be grateful that I can breathe, that I am here today. After a few minutes of counting things I have to be grateful for inspite of the sadness I see around me, I begin to feel better and more empowered. Remember you are making a difference. Be grateful for the small differences you do make.

ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE! There is a LOT going right in the world to. Remember to keep in mind all that you are doing right and you do so much to help the world you live in. It may seem small to you but small things matter the most. Really, you CAN believe in yourself and you can believe in others too.

I'm so sorry that what I said made you feel invalidated...I didn't mean to do that! I thought you were someone who didn't think. Now I see that you are someone who may be thinking too much. Sorry. Be gentle with yourself.

Answer 4

I'm not real sure that foreordained is the right word.
It seems to leave the impression that I had no choice in the matter.
I believe that God knows what will happen as we go through life.
Comparing life to a road trip there comes many times in your life when you come upon a fork in the road. Which path you choose is yours, but God knows what the outcome will be in each case.
it's your decision, which road you go down, and all decisions have consequences.

Answer 5

Imagine if God had made us puppets of his preordaination, it would be no fun being God, would it then?

It is the same God that created the world that gave us a Freewill, to choose whatever we might and he would respect us without judging that is His solemn promise at the time of our birth and an expression of his true and unconditional love for us.

That is why He never judges us according to our choices but according to the love we carry in our hearts as that is all that counts in the end. be it a saint or a murder they are all seen with same eyes, of love.

Answer 6

If I mentioned "i can raise a ten kilogram rock" it doesnt advise that i'll raise each 10 kilogram rock that exists in the international. So interior an analogous way, the place God’s exercising of foreknowledge is worried, it fairly is selective. Does his selective exercising of his foreknowledge advise that he's someway lacking, imperfect? No. Moses defined him as “the Rock,” including: “suited is his interest.” He lovingly gave guy a loose will so we werent merely his robots, and for this reason he's no longer (for example) responsible for the implications of human insurrection and sin provided that he needless to say defined what the implications may be if the 1st human pair chosen that direction.

Answer 7

God has set out paths for everyone...multiple possibilities as to where life may lead. God also gave us free will so that we would make our own choices accordingly. We make our choices and they lead us on the journey we choose. God has given us an innumerable series of doors, we simply choose which ones we open and which remain locked.

Answer 8

Did god pre ordain human sacrifice?

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Judges%2011:29-40&version=31

Answer 9

God leaves your destiny and how you write it up to you. He may have an ultimate plan but its up to you whether you follow and discover that plan.

The devil would be the one behind ending your life.

God does not want such things.

Answer 10

First of all, who told you God is a "he?"
Second, God is not a micro-manager. God is almighty, but that is not how God uses said might.