Paradox about divine forknowledge?

Question

Let's suppose Jim is the sort of person who always does the opposite of what somebody tells him he's going to do. For example, his mother says, "Jim, you're going to eat a cookie today," and then just because she told him that, Jim refuses to eat a cookie that day.

If God has exhaustive knowledge of everything Jim will ever do, and God has the power to do all things logically possible, is it possible for God to tell Jim anything that Jim will do in the future?

For example, let's suppose that tomorrow, Jim will eat a cookie, and God knows that Jim will eat a cookie tomorrow. Is it possible for God to tell Jim that he will eat a cookie tomorrow?

Answer 1

No, because then, Jim wouldn't eat the cookie. :)

But, God, being the crafty fella we all know him to be, would probably use a bit of reverse psychology on Jim. Oh, but wait, that would be deceiptful, and so God couldn't possibly do that.

God would have to never talk to Jim about the future. :)

Answer 2

You will eat a cookie tomorrow!

Probably true.

Omniscience is an attribute having to do with "all" knowledge.

It is "having knowledge of absolutely everything."

Many philosophers consider omniscience to be an attribute possessed only by a divine being, such as the God of Western monotheism.

However, the Eastern followers of Jainism allow omniscience to be an attribute of some human beings.

I have doubt and questions all the time but I receive reassurance as I study God's word.

We are promised that those who seek...find! But HOW?

In your scenario, Jim is the sort of person who always does the opposite of what somebody tells him he's going to do.

It's possible for God to tell Jim that he will eat a cookie tomorrow, but will Jim NOT do it, just because he was told he would?

In that case, can an all powerful God go back in time and change His prediction, if Jim changes his intention?

How is Jim going to know that the still small voice of God was not self-talk within his own mind?

Answer 3

Wow, that's interesting. It seems like a case of God's will versus Jim's will. God gave Man free will, but of course God could make Jim eat a cookie but the question remains: can God make Jim want to eat a cookie?

Answer 4

but if God knows Jim will eat a cookie, and God knows Jim does whatever opposite of what anyone tells him he will do, wouldnt God tell Jim he will not eat a cookie?
or maybe, since God could tell him in such a way that it might shake Jim out of his opposition, God might say "your going to eat a cookie" and Jim just might do it, so yes its possible , but probably not probable


the whole concept of God leaves all things possible, i would think

Answer 5

People like Jim, with independent, "You can't control me!" natures, can calm themselves and approach God (enlightenment) through Buddhism. Pious, devotional people, such as Mother Teresa, can approach God through service, through religions such as Hinduism, Islam and Christianity/Catholicism. Firm guidelines are provided in Christianity and Islam (and other religions) for people who have desires to know God's will concerning them (but who, at first, lack the ability to tune in to God's wishes, directly). People who love intellectual and spiritual freedom can benefit from religions such as Hinduism/Hare Krishnas and Bahai. This is a simplification, but I hope it gets across the meaning... God can reach us in so many ways.

As for your question, "Is it possible for God to tell Jim that he will eat a cookie tomorrow?" Perhaps not... according to your paradox.

Further, as God will only do that which is good for us... he withholds a VAST amount of knowledge from us until we are spiritually able to receive it. He wants us to learn it all... but all in due time, when we are ready.

There are many things in my life I would not have done if I had understood what was involved (eg having children), and thus I would not have grown from those experiences or gained the greatest of joys. Sometimes ignorance is necessary to promote action... faith is most faithful when put into action.

God would not tell Jim something unless he knew that Jim could be benefited by that knowledge. So I don't think it is possible for God to tell Jim about the cookie.

However, if God knew Jim had reached a point where he was ABLE to overcome his impulse to rebel, God would certainly test him and try him, to help him to realise the more enlightened way. Jim would then have a choice about his response, and consequences to follow.

Love and Peace.

Answer 6

Have a cookie, man...forget about Jim..check yourself, only then you have an opportunity to be in touch with a law of opposites...The law would be recognized through observation, which, in fact have a place...To know the Law you must dig no Jim but yourself. Who cares what God says to someone else? We sick and tired of it and it leads nowhere...What God will say to you that would be important for you.

Answer 7

There are many logical proofs that god cannot possibly exist, but to a mystic this is 'only' logic. God could do anything he wanted. God (allegedly) has the power to operate outside the bounds of logic and works in mysterious (unexplainable) ways etc, ad nauseum...

Answer 8

wow what a trememndous waste of time.

Here's one that god could tell Jim that he will not actually do
"Jim, in the next 2 seconds, you will not object to refusing a cookie that will not be given to you by the father of your father's son's sister's aunt, but rahter will be give to you by HER nephew".

By the time he thinks about what he's supposed to do, time will be up.

Answer 9

Free will is simply the ability to choose which ever thing you want. It doesn't matter that God has his Divine Law or eternal punishments, free will means you can CHOOSE to break those laws or not. Natural Law is irrelevant. Free Will has nothing to do with the fact that man can't fly. Free Will means you can CHOOSE to jump off your roof and flap you wings. Fighting death has NOTHING to do with free will, its just biology. Free will is your CHOICE to follow whatever laws/rules you live under, as opposed to a pre-determined fate. Free will and Divine law, or any law, can exist side by side.

Answer 10

God gave us free will we can either serve His external illusory material energy (Maya) or we can serve Him directly. There is free will in that. If you choose Maya then you Willl suffer or so so called enjoy the results of your activities (Karma) and if you choose to serve God (Also known as Krishna, Allah, Jehovah, Vishnu, Rama, etc.) then you will not have to get karma (material suffering or material temporary pleasure) I choose reality the Beautiful. God knows what you are going to do and He will not touch your limited free wil. It is limited because you are suffering and enjoying karmic reactions from previous lives, which are coming and going incessently llike the waves in the ocean. So our previous actions have created what is happening to us now, but how you choose to react to the things now is creating your future reactions. Simple for the simple. For info on this topic read Bhagavad Gita as it is By Bhaktivedanta PRabhupada asitis.com can be read on line.