It is also written that I was given free will with which to choose if I will go to hell or not. How can you possibly deem something free when you must fear consequences? That completely conflicts with the definition of free. If I were to hold a gun to your head and say “you have free will to not give me your wallet, but if you attempt to defy me I will kill you.” Does it really feel as if you have a choice in the matter?
2007-06-03 09:54:26 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I've encountered this type of free will argument before, and my response was that this scenario is simple enough until you start realizing that the person that you're holding the gun to, doesn't care that it's a gun, doesn't understand your language, and will probably do what he can to assist you in pulling the trigger.
Meaning to say, we don't start out with any kind of ability to submit to God, or seek him out. Oh, by the way, never mind that we deserve what's coming to us since we have been doing nothing but committing crime all of our lives.
Other than that, your scenario illustrates things rather well.
2007-06-03 15:03:48 · answer #1 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Per the bible, you have no free will, since God has already predestined you to do everything you do. So really, NOTHING is your fault. Woohoo!
"Predestination is not foreknowledge. God's foreknowledge is that God knows everything before it happens. He knows in advance what is going to happen to everyone, both good and evil, both Christian and non-Christian. The Bible talks about God's foreknowledge in many places (Ps. 139:1-6; Romans 8:29a). But God's foreknowledge and God's predestination are two different things. Predestination was an act of God from eternity, before time began, by which God not only foreknew but actually chose some to be saved for all eternity (See Eph. 1:4-6). When God predestined us, He not only knew that we would be saved, He caused it to happen by His choice of us in Christ."
2007-06-03 10:01:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some people do not fear consequences, it's that simple.
But beyond that, fear does not diminish free will. Rather, it shows us that some things are worth taking the hard road because the easy road is filled with pitfalls.
It would be a foolish person who takes a step in ANY direction without looking what the resultant fall-out might be. And, they could be consequences, OR blessings.
2007-06-03 10:03:28 · answer #3 · answered by Bobby Jim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Free will is accompagnied with consequences.
You are free to jump off the Empire State Building.
However, don't complain when you go splattt!!
There are consequences to making choices.
Or do you want your cake and eat it too?
2007-06-03 10:14:57 · answer #4 · answered by Uncle Thesis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have the free will to walk across a highway when cars are coming at you.
The analogy of the gun to the head is wrong as no one is putting a gun to your head.
You do not choose to go to hell or not; you choose whether to believe in Jesus Christ as He who forgives your sins. If you do not, then you will present your life to God and give an account (to He who reads your heart) to justify how you may satisfy a Holy God who is perfect and stay in His presence. I couldn't. If you can, you are a better man than I am Gunga Din.
2007-06-03 10:00:19 · answer #5 · answered by pwwatson8888 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We are born into evils and thus into hell. Only the Lord can bring you out of hell and shut the door.
2007-06-03 10:02:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
every choice you make in life no matter how big or small there are consequences. :)
2007-06-03 10:00:04 · answer #7 · answered by ✞ Ephesians 2:8 ✞ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋