Even if we have free will, God should be able to predict with near certainty how we will act ...?

Question

in any given situation. we are infintessimally small and uncomplicated compared to Him, right? So, why does God frequently express surprise and indignance at our actions? It just seems pretty silly.

it's the tone in the Bible.

Answer 1

That's why Calvinists believe in predetermination.

Answer 2

Well let's see...

- If God is omniscient (def:having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding; perceiving all things) he knows what you're going to do beforehand
- According to christians and the bible, God is omniscient.
- Therefore God knows exactly what you'll do ahead of time.

- If what you are going to do is known, there is only one possible choice you can make.
- If there were free will, you could still make a choice and your future actions would be unknown.
- God knows what you will do.
- Therefore you're confined to the one choice he knows you'll make and free will doesn't exist.

Or something.

Anyway the whole reason god gets surprised and indignant is because he's a made up character and that makes the story more interesting.

Answer 3

God CAN predict everything that we will do, which is why he is all-knowing. When he expresses surprise or indignation he is not expressing human emotions because he is above that sort of thing. He is making us aware of our sin. God allows us to make mistakes so that we can see that we are fallible and that he is not, and to make us aware of the fact that we need him far more than he needs us. The poverty of human language prevented the writers of the Biuble, God's profits, from accurately expressing God's true mood; therefore, they had no other choice but to use the language that God gave them to use. Again, this is to show God's infinte superiority over us.

Answer 4

I can only answer from my experiences, there are several ways to answer this, 1) He is waiting for me/us to go to Him and ask for His help, right now He will not force His will or way onto us. 2) there are times when we need these hard times to learn things that in the norm we would not pay attention to. 3) There are times when we need to learn that it's with God strength alone we can accomplish living and so many other reasons, all depending on what we are going through at that time.

No God is not surprised, another thing God is never disappointed in us either. Disappointment - to expect something better and be surprised with it does not happen. God already knows which choices we are going to make, I believe though, that He is sad because we did not choose to come to Him and seek His will and ask for His way/answer.

Answer 5

He is omniscient. Nothing gets past Him. God knew how you and I would act before anyone ever thought of us. He knows all. He lives in eternity (which includes the past, present, and future).

He is never surprised, but He does mourn over us, as He loves each and everyone of us.

It's kind of like if you have children, and from the time they are small, you can tell which ones will grow up to be decent, and which ones will grow up to do many bad things. You still love them with all your heart, and though what they may do does not surprise you, you will still be sad by their bad decisions.

Answer 6

I do not believe that God is surprised or indignant in relation to our unbelief but I am certain that pity and disappointed might feature. Imagine you had children you dearly loved and to whom you said you will always be there whenever they needed you but instead they turn around and declare you do not exist and walk away. They however continue to come back home for food, clothing and shelter always ignoring your presence and never acknowledging you. Assuming you love unconditionally; what would you do? Anticipate their general needs and provide for those then patiently wait for them to ask for any individual help. It is the only logical unbiased solution. If their individual needs are not met, who is to blame? Parent or child. God or man?

Answer 7

God is NEVER surprised by our actions God knows every action we will take he is disapointed when we take the wrong path but he knew we were.
Prov. 20:24 A man's steps are directed by the Lord.
How then can anyone understand his own way?

Answer 8

Yes, He knows our abilities and our character traits. He knows pretty much how we will act in any given set of circumstances. However, He still leaves it up to us to choose to obey Him or disobey Him. He gives us guidance to know what we are supposed to do and when we don't do it, He is understandably disappointed with us.
It is much the same as we treat our own children. We know that if we leave a child alone next to the dancing flames, they will try to reach into the flames to touch them. We tell them to stay back because it will hurt them. We watch them to protect them and keep them safe but they will still reach out to it and get burned. We are hurt by their suffering and disappointed that they didn't take us seriously. However, now that they disobeyed us and got hurt for their disobedience, they know not to do it again. They learned from their mistake and generally don't do it again.
We are like that sometimes. It takes disobedience and suffering before we learn what God was trying to teach us all along.

Answer 9

Who told you God is surprised at our behaviour? Please reveal your source(s).

God knows all and sees all. He lets us do as we wish, allowing us time to reflect and change our ways; to repent, because He is a loving father and wants us to live right; to do the right things; to show love to one another - not hate each other and do wicked deeds to one another.

There is absolutely nothing silly about God!

Answer 10

what makes you say hes so surprised?? even so we still have to choose obedience even if He can guess our actions..