Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: stuartcr
If we are just programs, then is the use of freewill already determined?

Our bodies are like the computer hardware (for many of us "older bodies", it's like the IBM px/xt computer model, exotic at one time, but pretty worn out by now ). Our souls are the software programming. Out bodies will perish, the media containing our information may perish, but the information that represents our souls will live forever.

Men are not just the sum of inanimate programming. God gave man sentience, and within certain parameters, a "free will". Freedom always comes with constraints. We may operate as if that is not true when discussing philosophy or religion, but we betray that contention in the way we live our limited lives.

Your argument on "freewill" is the juxtiposition of the famliar rant that occurs with every disaster, rape, or murder, e.g. "How could a loving God allow this to happen to innocents?!" The answer is: "How could a loving God NOT allow man that freedom. We'd be robots! Robots can never sentiently chose to love God.

Freedom is a double edged sword, i.e. the same freedom that produced the Good Samaritan also allowed the thugs who beat and rob the victim in the first place. God is the ultimate "pro-choicer". Man can't blame God for "acts of God" AND for constraining freedom simultaneously. The problem of chaos and evil in this world is due to the sin of mankind.

However, God also promises accountability and reward. God's states clearly: All have sinned (i.e. HUGE error dump!!), and will be doomed because of our choice.

God's solution: There is only one who has not sinned, who is absolutely good. There is only one who has already paid the price, who has paid YOUR price. There is only one way to be saved from the corruption that sin has wrought. Jesus Christ. Those who accept Him as their Lord and Savior will have the reward of eternal life.

Wise men who earnestly seek wisdom, order, and goodness will find it in Christ.

God Bless.. SFS

26 posted on 11/22/2002 1:04:11 PM PST by Steel and Fire and Stone
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies ]


To: Steel and Fire and Stone
Sorry, but your assumptions are incorrect and your answer is too simplistic.

Whether or not you posit the existence of God, there is still a "free will vs. determinism" problem.

For example, if it turns out that it is possible for me to travel into the future, and there is a fixed future for me to travel into, then it would seem I have no free will. No matter what I do I will end up at the same future.

Of course there's a bunch of thought regarding parallel universes, etc. but none of this touches on the "problem of evil" which is entirely different.

If you lined up all of the arguments on one side or the other, the arguments stating that there is no free will pretty much whomp on those in favor of free will.

Still, I believe passionately in free will regardless. I was most likely predestined to do so!

27 posted on 11/22/2002 1:22:41 PM PST by who_would_fardels_bear
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies ]

To: OrthodoxPresbyterian; Jerry_M; the_doc; CCWoody; Matchett-PI; JesseShurun; gdebrae; Jean Chauvin; ..
bump
45 posted on 11/23/2002 7:06:56 PM PST by RnMomof7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies ]

To: Steel and Fire and Stone
You have explained salvation very cleary to those that would listen -- but many have deaf ears. One of the problems with modern man is that he believes he can explain those things which are beyond our comprehension.

God has told us in the Bible that his thoughts are above our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (Whole Chapter: Isaiah 55 In context: Isaiah 55:7-9)).

We must accept Christ through faith that he gave his life on the cross to so that we might have eternel life.

85 posted on 11/24/2002 3:22:42 PM PST by Retiredforever
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies ]

To: Steel and Fire and Stone
As usual, I didn't spell check my comment to you -- I meant "eternal", not "eternel".
86 posted on 11/24/2002 3:30:07 PM PST by Retiredforever
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson