If we were made in his image, I'd have to assume yes.
But If He had Free will, he could have chosen differently
If anything could happen that is not his will, he's not perfect, so I'd assume no.
But because He's perfect, I'd assume he has all qualities, so I'd assume yes.
But If He did have it, he could refuse to give Salvation to someone who asked, which is something (I'm told) is not of "His nature," so that leaves me to believe no.
Thoughts? How is it that something perfect can be said to have a Will (Free or not) at all? Doesn't having a will imply that there is something outside it's power for it to affect, thus negating it's perfection by limiting it (This is of God, this is not, therefor God is limited in some small way, and is not perfect)?
(I Didn't feel like being funny today. All people can feel free to weigh in.)
2007-10-11 06:39:54 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Man, my grammar and syntax was terrible for this question. Please forgive the massive number of typos and errors, I must be tired or something.
2007-10-11 06:45:03 · update #1
Oh Eff-ing crap! Grammar and syntax *were* crap...
Augh
2007-10-11 06:53:05 · update #2
If God doesn't have free will, then nobody has.
Which might account for all the confusion we humans seem to have in thinking free will is A Good Thing. Perhaps perfection is the absence of free will because all choices made will be perfect. Perhaps its only the entrance of sin that gives rise to choices, only one of which will be perfect, but if we are not perfect, we're never going to be able to make that perfect choice. And that, in turn, explains why God has to make the first move in bringing about our salvation because we are not truly free to truly please God by obeying him totally. So God's predestination is vital to our salvation.
Brilliant question, buddy!
2007-10-11 08:09:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Ok...here's what I have been taught. We are made in his literal image. That "war in heaven" where angels cast votes, etc-- well I was taught we were there with just our spirits-no phy. body yet. We chose Jesus' plan (who I believe is the son of GOD--not part of Him). (Jesus plan--give people agency or what you're calling free will and we will see if they choose to follow Thee). I also do not believe agency is free--because we pay the consequence of the things we choose to do or not do.
So....Jesus won and boom here we are.
I dont believe God (or as I call him...Heavenly Father) mistakely gives Salvation to everyone. By sending his son to offer salvation to everyone and suffer for us, he gave us the opportunity to take advantage...but there are still people who do not choose to accept this gift. Therefore, they never get baptized, take upon them His name, stand as a witness that He is real, and never repent for when they make a mistake. Salvation comes when we do all this and we are promised everlasting life (ie salvation).
Im not sure if my answer is being expressed just right. So, I think God does have free will but he is perfect by our definition because of the choices He makes. He is a forgiving Heavenly Father that does not judge us as a whole but individually. Anyways, those our my beliefs.
2007-10-11 13:50:44 · answer #2 · answered by Char C 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, he has free will, just like us. However, he has chosen to use his free will perfectly and would never choose to sin, lie, steal, deceive, etc. So is God limited in some sense? No, he has all power to accomplish his purposes, but that does not imply he can do anything because there are certain things he will not do.
2007-10-11 13:44:41 · answer #3 · answered by Someone who cares 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If God (as defined by the monotheists of both Islam and Christianity) was all powerful, surely he could forgive us our sins without the need of any intercessor? That He seems unable or unwilling to do so argues that He does not enjoy free will.
Perhaps the problem is that God is not the one who needs to forgive our trangressions. How can God forgive me for being cruel to my wife? Surely my wife is the one I need to deal with for that?
Given the number of conflicting requests that must be arriving at the prayer switchboard, I wonder if God could satisfy us whatever the state of his willpower is.
2007-10-11 13:48:24 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Perhaps God is more akin to a multi-part organism than one intelligent being as has been historically assumed, thus 'decisions' are an autonomous reaction rather than a concious decision as we would think of them.
Reading into what I'm saying, God is the universe and everything in it, and has no conciousness or inviduality.
2007-10-11 13:45:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes, God has free will, and He is perfect. He used that free will to create us with a free will. We make the decisions for our lives, and He, in His perfection, allows us to make those decisions, whether good or bad.
2007-10-11 13:54:53 · answer #6 · answered by Teresa 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I am curious, where does it say in the Bible that God has a free will? God gave man a free will to choose. He does not push Himself upon anyone, they are free to choose to either receive Him or not. He does not go against mans will.
2007-10-11 13:54:53 · answer #7 · answered by themakeupdivas 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
Keep in mind that there has to be a balance of both sides for perfection.
2007-10-11 13:45:43 · answer #8 · answered by Sephina 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm going with "no" but only because I don't actually believe in free will.
2007-10-11 13:45:42 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes he does.
2007-10-11 13:43:18 · answer #10 · answered by Blond3 BombShell 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋