In other words, can a god who supposedly has the power to do literally anything and knows literally everything, including what he himself is going to do, change his mind about what he is going to do in the future? Richard Dawkins presented this question in his book The God Delusion. I was wondering what others thought about it.
2006-12-29 05:42:27 · 9 answers · asked by boukenger 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
So if such a god has no need to change his mind because he already knows the decisions he will make, what is the point of worshiping such a god? If the god has already planned the perfect future, then no amount of worshiping or prayer, or rituals or whatever will change his mind. If he has the power to change his mind, but has no reason to do so, then nothing anyone can ever do will have any influence on the future whatsoever correct?
2006-12-29 05:54:10 · update #1
God is immutable or unchanging; However, God can change His mind without changing His nature. Especially when it comes to certain attributes, such as, justice, mercy, grace, etc.
Attached is a small essay I wrote in rebuttal to this subject;
Article 2 Critique
Daniel Hays begins his article displaying a lack of confidence; however, he appears very knowledgeable in the realm of Old Testament hermeneutics. The article is lengthy and doesn’t get to the point right away. It’s difficult to follow the article, which jumps around from systematic theology, classical theists, and openness theology. The author provided minimal quotes from theist he quoted; possibly removing some of the very context that he stresses is so important. He spent a lot of time on Geisler and House, but failed to provide a statement that showed slam-dunk capabilities other than a statement by Frame. I don’t believe he made a single advancement in immutability in response to God changing His mind. The text indicated in Numbers 23:19 and 1 Samuel 15:29 actually support God’s immutability. God may change His mind, but it never changes or goes against His nature. The changes do not appear to originate within God, but they are intercessions from man. God hears the cries of man, and acts according to His nature. This doesn’t put His immutability in jeopardy at all. King David, in Psalms 104:31 spoke of God’s unchangeable glory. Malachi 3:6 states, “I am the Lord, I change not…” Daniel Hays displayed his knowledge in OT exegesis, but failed in his attack on the immutability of God. I believe he used faulty logic at the end of the article. Authors Geisler and House used the term “eternally determined,” but Daniel equates this to mean the future isn’t open (possibly the Calvinist in him) and relates that to his next conclusion. God cannot change His mind, yet labels this logic as incorrect.
Personal Conclusion
Does Systematics drive OT exegesis? Or can God still change His mind? These are interesting questions, but I feel Mr. Hays failed to answer them with certainty. I believe God can change His mind without jeopardizing His immutability. God changes His mind by a display of mercy (Abraham’s intercession for Sodom, Genesis 18:16-33, Abraham and Isaac, Genesis 22:1-19) without changing His nature. God has unchangeable characteristics, such as, but not limited to, justice (Genesis 18:25, Romans 2:2) and mercy (Deuteronomy 4:31, Psalm 107:1). These are characteristics that God reveals to us. If they’re unchanging characteristics, attributed to God, the enforcing or displaying of them is an affirmation of God’s immutability. The strongest support for me, is Malachi 3:6, For I am the LORD, I do not change: Therefore you are not consumed, O’ sons of Jacob. They fell from God’s ordinances, but God still displayed His unchanging mercy. This mercy becomes more apparent at the beginning of the New Testament. God sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins. It’s a promise of redemption that is unified throughout the scriptures. I say yes, God can still change His mind, as long as it doesn’t conflict with His eternal nature. If changing God’s mind conflicts with His nature, we soon have an indecisive, and confused God. Old Testament exegesis (biblical theology) is a part of systematic theology. There is no one part that drives the whole, but rather all the parts help provide a well-driven theology. Elmer L. Towns states, “A theology that draws truth from any and every source concerning God and His universe.”
2006-12-29 05:52:03 · answer #1 · answered by brokentogether 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is confusing omnipotence with the idea that such a being actually does everything.
Not the case.
Here is an analogy - let is say there was a problem (should I change jobs or not - something simple for example). If I was omniscient - I would know everything there was about the future of my position and the other jobs. Based on knowing all this, I would know which would be the best choice.
Why would I change me mind? It is the best choice. Omnipotent, I could do anything - but I would make the best choice based on omniscience.
So it is not that God can not change his mind - it is why would he (so he would not).
~ Eric Putkonen
2006-12-29 05:46:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
God is unchanging. He cannot change His own will. His will and plan for the world always existed before the beginning of time. Malachai 3:6 - For I am the Lord, I change not: therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. James 1:17 - Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
2006-12-29 05:55:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no reason to change a thought, desire, decision that is perfect. Power to do so? Sure. Basis for doing so, or the chance the situation will arise? No sir. So, you see, it is a null point. It is like you asking me if I will change my mind in the future about not liking to mix chocolate sauce and salsa. Not on your life!
2006-12-29 05:49:21 · answer #4 · answered by Presagio 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. It's not a question of power. Since he knows everything he already has a perfect opinion on everything. Unless you count that part of Genesis where he says he regrets ever creating humans...but you can just forget about that if you don't like it.
2006-12-29 05:46:34 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
God doesn't exist. Ask the sucker who prayed to god in Iraq before he got splattered after running over a 500 pound explosive.
2006-12-29 05:44:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you're talking about the God in the Bible, then yes he did it a few times in the Old Testament after being prayed to by Abraham, Moses, etc.
2006-12-29 05:46:07 · answer #7 · answered by bobo383 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's delusional to think and believe in an invisible inaudible entity.
2006-12-29 05:57:09 · answer #8 · answered by Cold Fart 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He did change his mind. He wrote a whole new testament because of it.
2006-12-29 05:52:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋