Do you believe that you are both given free will to make your own decisions in life yet at the same time have a predetermined destiny? To you believe everything that happens is God's Will? If so, how can you also believe that YOU have free will?
Please explain to me how it is possible to believe in both.
2007-06-08 07:27:31 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The case of free will vs. predestination has everything to do with whose eyes you look through. Yes, because God dwells in eternity and sees the end from the beginning, He already knows the outcome of your decision. He looks at the earth's timeline, then chooses those who choose Him. However, to have true children and not robots, God gave us a free will to choose. We can choose to love God, we can choose to hate Him, or we can choose to exchange the concept of God for only what we can see within our puny science. If free will truly did not exist, God would provide a world with only one choice and provide tons of evidence to MAKE you believe. But He does not do that. He provides just enough evidence to allow you to think beyond the physical and into the eternal. But you must decide for yourself. But do not be surprised if God knows your decision the moment you make it.
Yes, God sees our life as a done deal. Yet, we ourselves do have free will to choose. It would be like I could go back in time, meet with George Lucas while attending USC film class. I would know everything about what he would write and the companies he would start. Does he have free will to write Star Wars? Yes. Would my knowledge change the fact that Darth Vader will be Luke Skywalker's dad? No. It's a done deal because I am not bound by time.
So what is the big deal about free will? Well, those of us with children (not sure if you have kids) understand that there is a big difference between programming our computers to wake us up in the morning with "good-morning father-I-love-you" and having your little son or daughter jump on your bed at the crack of dawn yelling "Good morning daddy! I love you!"
The Almighty God has a myriad of angels proclaiming "Holy, holy, holy"--but they have seen Him, so it is easy. Think what it means to God, having NOT seen Him, yet lifting your arms and proclaim, "Good morning Lord! I love you!"
John 20:29
Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have NOT seen and yet have believed.”
2007-06-08 07:30:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely.
Mathematically it's backed by fractal geometry.
Fractal geometry is like the sound ways you watch on the "Skins" ... a repeating pattern that as you examine it closer you find more detail ... or if you move out, it looks the same with different colors.
Usually, these are simple equations like (z <=> n +1)This is a repeating "Fractal" meaning that once you add 1 to n (destiny) then you repeat. So, the destiny can be going along creating a pattern and a slight change can make the pattern go in a new direction. So this allows a destiny (pattern) while allowing for changes in directions.
2007-06-08 07:53:56 · answer #2 · answered by Giggly Giraffe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it's quite simple really. Each person has many paths laid out before them. We have the choice of which one we take, and when, though sometimes we're forced onto a different path because of someone else's choice. For example, someone chooses to set off a bomb where you work. It isn't because it was "supposed" to happen, it's just because...it did. Because we all have free will. God just knows what we're going to choose. It doesn't mean we don't have a choice. Now, prophecy is a completely different thing. Usually only prophesies with a large impact are made, e.g. the birth of Christ, the end of the world as we know it. It just means that these are things that ARE going to happen, and that's all there is to it...but they're still because of choices that people make.
2016-03-13 07:42:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Paul answers that question in Romans 12. He says that as Christians we are to renew our minds so that we can know the "good", the "acceptable" and the "perfect" will of God. That seems to indicate that while God has a "perfect" destiny for each of us, we do not always walk in it. Our decisions determine whether we reach everything he has for use or not.
But at the same time, God is smart enough that each time we make a decision, he can see how that affects the plan, and he adjust for it. Kind of like when Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery. God simply adjusted his plan (the Joseph become the head of the family) and did it in Egypt rather than Israel. Now, both Joseph and the family (going through three years of the famine in Israel) had a lot more trouble because of their missing to follow God's will. But he still found a way to get it done.
It is our choice whether we want to walk in the "perfect" destiny he has for us, only some of it, or even none of it.
2007-06-08 07:42:57 · answer #4 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nop! Just won't fit...don't you think? Let me tell what I've learned through Bible study...The fact that God himself told his people these words let us know we have free will .."I do take the heavens and the earth as witnesses against YOU today, that I have put life and death before you, the blessing and the malediction; and you must choose life in order that you may keep alive, you and your offspring, by loving Jehovah your God, by listening to his voice and by sticking to him; for he is your life and the length of your days, that you may dwell upon the ground that Jehovah swore to your forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to give to them.” (Deut. 30:19,20). Now, Why would God demand to make a choice if the end would be the same? Didn't he said what would be the result of their decisions?
If we were like robots which its actions have been already programed then Jesus advice would be worthless .." Exert yourselves vigorously to get in through the narrow door, because many, I tell YOU, will seek to get in but will not be able.." (Lucas 13:24) The prize would be eternity as he said earlier..."But he that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved." Do you still believe we have our destinies written on the sky?
2007-06-08 07:56:46 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe God has designed the destiny of the world. He will accomplish His goal. He, however, has not written each person's individual destiny. He knows what He desires for your life but leaves the choice up to you. He will often give you direction but will leave the decision to follow His direction up to you. If you choose not to follow, He will find someone who will. In the end, He will fulfill the destiny He has designed for the world but your part in it, or out of it, will be determined by yourself.
2007-06-08 07:34:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't believe in both. I just believe in free will.
I think that God has given us the opportunity to make decisions and choices....HOWEVER; if we are prayerful and come to Him with sincere hearts....if we ask Him to guide our lives in the right direction to do His will, He will oblige us.
2007-06-08 07:32:57 · answer #7 · answered by YSIC 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Why don't you think of your own question instead of repeating someone else's from about 5 minutes ago in different wording?
2007-06-08 07:30:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I believe in free-will and predestined.
2007-06-08 07:31:20 · answer #9 · answered by sassinya 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes
2007-06-08 07:42:14 · answer #10 · answered by God is love. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋