Posted on 01/25/2011 12:14:44 PM PST by Frank Broom
I really do not know the mind of God. So, do you believe that God knows the time and manner of our deaths?
I really don’t know.
This could be part of the reason why God get’s really ticked about suicide. If it were all part of His plan, then things were all pre-determined.
If not, then a suicide places a complication in his work.
You say you don’t know if God knows the manner and time of our deaths, yet you do know that suicide ticks God off?
Why would suicide place a complication in God’s work, if He doesn’t know specifics?
The Bible forbids Murder; suicide is self-murder. The bible does mention seveal instances of suicide - and in each of these it is considered a sinful act.
If God is fully Deterministic - then the suicide was planned and it was simply a ‘tick in the box’ act. The person was slated to die by his own hand - and it just happened as planned. If a person is ‘planned’ to suicide - and his action is fore-ordained; how can this be a sin? He is simply following a course of action that he has no choice in.
If God follows ‘Free Agency’ (for which the war of Heaven was fought - and He sacrificed 1/3 of the Heavenly Host) then Determinism does not apply. Free Will is a key component in God’s plan. Jesus COULD HAVE broken free from the cross, yet that was not his mission. Jesus, by an act of will ALLOWED himself to be murdered so he could save us all. If he was forced - then his death would simply be a normal death.
So, given Free Agency, and you decide to commit suicide; you have taken a sacred gift and thrown it back into the face of God.
Perhaps what we believe to be His mission, was God’s plan?
Bye for now, thanks.
On my local Catholic radio, Dr. Ray Guarendi was speaking to a caller who had lost his wife and family, his job, everything, I believe due to financial reasons. He told the Dr. that he made a half-hearted attempt at suicide. Dr. Ray gave him some really good advice, but the one thing that he said that I will never forget was that “things always change, nothing stays the same, and there is always always hope.” He was much more eloquent than what I quoted.
Hodar God always cares no matter what age like any good father is. And yes it is important how you spend your time while you are here. Thanks for reading!!
Well thank God that it came at the right time, just when you needed it. Thanks for reading!!
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for reading!!
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Thank You!!
Thank you for reading this article. Thanks!!
Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope it helps you to believe. Thanks!!
I’m sorry to hear that, I guess that would shake a persons faith, but I’m glad to hear that you’re still praying. Your prayers and faith in God can change any situation. Thanks for reading.
Yes, we do need to pray for this country and thanks for reading.
Yes, thank God you still have a job and you’re doing the right thing, Praying. Prayer and faith can change anything. I hope this article was some encouragement. Thanks for reading.
Yes there is always hope with God. Thanks for reading!!
Praise God there is always hope with God and things can change with God who always wants to work things out for your good. Thanks for reading!!
If what you state is true, what about the countless people dying of cancer, drowning in storms, starving to death, or perishing despite their pleas to be saved?
We all were given bodies, and free will, to decide for ourselves how we will live. Again, in the eternal perspective, if we suffered in pain for 10 yrs, or died in a matter of seconds - compared to eternity; our lives and deaths are but an instant.
What matters is what we did between reaching the age of accountability and our death.
Good word.
I think the simple answer to your dispute is that God is not restricted to time. God stands above time, in Eternity, and sees all at once, from beginning to end.
I am a believer in free will. Our free will is much weakened by original sin, but with baptism and the sacraments, and God’s grace, and frequent repentance and forgiveness, we are helped back into freedom to choose.
God does not wish pain and evil in the world, but He permits them, as the only way that free will can be exercised.
The matter is complicated, but it would be wrong to focus exclusively on either alteernative: that God could possibly be ignorant of what is going to happen, or that God forces it to happen.
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