Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: xzins
Wrong. He DOES know what's in my heart.

But, SOMETHING has to explain God's continual disappointment with man (you can't be disappointed if you saw it coming), and the occasional instance when He changes his mind (as with King Hezekiah's foretold death, 2 Kings 20:1-11).

Since God can do anything, including delegate (my answer to the Calvinist free will v sovereignty question), He can also choose not to look at the answer (and God, I trust, is perfectly capable of knowing when not to look). His plan, His choice.

87 posted on 01/16/2006 4:53:51 PM PST by Larry Lucido
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 86 | View Replies ]


To: Larry Lucido; xzins
But, SOMETHING has to explain God's continual disappointment with man (you can't be disappointed if you saw it coming), and the occasional instance when He changes his mind (as with King Hezekiah's foretold death, 2 Kings 20:1-11).

Something does explain it, in a rational way. His disappointment is not the result of His inability to see it coming, but rather the result of His holiness. Regardless of whether or not God foreknew from eternity that you would sin this morning, it was still an affront to Him when it happened in time. Though I do not know the exact time or circumstances, I know that my mother will die someday. The fact that I know this with certainty will not keep me from weeping when she passes.

As far as God "changing His mind," it is a fallacy to assume that, because God stated one thing and then brought about another following prayer, He did not foreknow what would ultimately happen. Rather, God's declarations are often given under circumstances which He knows will change (often because of those declarations). It pleases Him to use the prayers of His children as the means by which He accomplishes His will. God made His declaration to Hezekiah, knowing full well that His declaration would bring about Hezekiah's prayer, and to his prayer He graciously responded by staying His death (which time is appointed by the Lord for all men).

Open theism is not rational. It is a manifest absurdity. xzins is right. Either He knows everything or He does not. God cannot suspend His divine attributes. He is either God or He is not.

OK..I have stuff to do this evening. Check back with you tomorrow...

91 posted on 01/16/2006 6:02:35 PM PST by Frumanchu (Inveterate Pelagian by birth, Calvinist by grace.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 87 | View Replies ]

To: Larry Lucido

Let's say that you go to church this week and pray for young people to be saved and for your church to grow.

1. Can God answer that prayer?

2. How can God answer that prayer without knowing what happens or affecting what happens?


113 posted on 01/17/2006 5:27:00 AM PST by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 87 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


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