If God is all-knowing, as the Bible claims, how can any individual not do what God knows that hw will do? This to me seems to be a simple straight forward question. To me, logic would dictate that the answer has to be no! How could one not do that which is already known to God to be what you will do? Does this not therefore neggate the concept of free-will? I do not like this thought, but my logic says that it must be so.
2007-01-21 14:25:04 · 12 answers · asked by flashgordon 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Knowing what will happen, and causing it to happen are two different things.
I know that the superbowl will occur, but that doesn't mean I'm making it happen...
2007-01-21 14:29:25 · answer #1 · answered by Hatir Ba Loon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"We have free will, but God knows what we are going to do" -- yeah, which brings us right back to your question, how? And you're absolutely right, this cannot be reconciled if you believe we have an ability to look to God for salvation. I agree with your logic.
Best theology I've seen regarding this issue is Calvinism which says that we do not have the capability to look to God for salvation in our depraved state-- that is, dead, completely dead, in our sins. God must do the choosing for us. So, no more 50-50 of God wanting, hoping, pleading with us to come to him. It's 100-0, an election, predestination, calling, regeneration, conversion, justification, sanctification, and glorification without any of our "help". Grace from eternity to eternity, and we have an all-knowing, all-powerful God intact.
And the free will? Oh, we can reject God any way we like, we can make decisions every day that just don't matter anymore since we are all guilty.
2007-01-22 11:22:59 · answer #2 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Free will would be negated by the omnipotence of God, The Universe or whatever you want to call it IF all matter manifested itself in one dimension. However the existence of infinite dimensions, essentially a dimension for every possibility ever created, means that although God would know what was going to happen God would not influence that action knowing it would fit into one of the infinite dimensions available.
The concept of simultaneous time might help explain this better, search the internet.
2007-01-21 14:43:23 · answer #3 · answered by Taliesin Pen Beirdd 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is very good administrator, Accountant and Judge.All the good and bad deeds of all beings are properly accounted by Him and results are bestowed on them depending upon their deeds. He remains neutral in administering results and impartial in deciding the results for all deeds of humanity.He ensures a systematic order and there will not be any clash in the functioning of the whole universe.He remains as a mute witness and conducts the whole affair without interfering with ones free will.
2007-01-21 22:03:16 · answer #4 · answered by ravipati 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This kind of went off subject. I was inspired to write this due to your question though.
If god is omnisicient and not bound by time, when he created satan, he did so with full knowledge that he would turn against him, create hell, and tempt humankind into evil. And again, when god made the garden of eden and put Adam and Eve in it (and the tree of knowledge), he knew that Eve would eat the apple and curse humankind with original sin. So why did he do it? More importantly, if Eve didn't know right from wrong until she ate the apple, why did god punish her? None of it makes sense if god is all-good, all-knowing and all-powerful. There are way too many contradictions.
2007-01-21 14:38:51 · answer #5 · answered by WastedPaint 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
God is all knowing, which wouldn't impact free-will, but God is also omnipotent, which means He can do anything. So He chooses to give us free will (which He has the ability to do, being omnipotent). Why? He wants our love. It wouldn't be the same if we didn't have the will to love Him.
2007-01-21 14:32:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Knowing what will happen and being the first cause of everything does mean God is responsible for everythin that happens.
An omniscient creator and free will are not compatible.
2007-01-21 14:54:20 · answer #7 · answered by neil s 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes of course.because he is omniscient omnipotent and omnipresent he knows every ones actions and deeds but he does not want to interfere with the free will of men otherwise every thing will be perfect in this world
2007-01-25 02:40:50 · answer #8 · answered by stanly p 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is all knowing but he does not interfere with free will. Your logic is flawed and rambling.
2007-01-21 14:36:57 · answer #9 · answered by Angelz 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I've wondered that myself. And if we have a set destiny, or fate, then where did free will go?
2007-01-21 14:32:30 · answer #10 · answered by DebnFodz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋