I hate to use the term predestined cause there is a lot of baggage attached to it. I will state that from all time God has always known that man would fall and that He would promise them salvation. That being true He also knew how He would save us.
But what God always knew is not what we know at any set time. Adam did not know he would sin before he disobeyd God and yielded to temptation. Mary did not know she would say yes until the angel appeared.
So neither of them had the knowledge they were acting according to God’s sovereign plan. One disobeyed and one obeyed. Both were acting under their own will and own ability to make a free choice. Yet God’s hand was upon both. Is that contradictory? I don’t think so because as I stated before God is outside of time.
I do agree that yes the time of the Incarnation was the right time and for the reasons you state. Roman roads and Roman peace.
Could God have chosen another way of Salvation? Yes, but He did not. Remember the angels who rebelled did so because they could not abide the idea of God humbling Himself to become one of us.
In following this thread I’ve seen really.....peculiar?....to be gentle.....statements but that post must be one of the most......peculiar.....of all.
Where do you get this stuff?
“So neither of them had the knowledge they were acting according to God’s sovereign plan. One disobeyed and one obeyed. Both were acting under their own will and own ability to make a free choice. Yet God’s hand was upon both. Is that contradictory? I don’t think so because as I stated before God is outside of time”
Men do not like the term is true..
I will state that from all time God has always known that man would fall and that He would promise them salvation. That being true He also knew how He would save us.
Of course I have no problem with God being sovereign over all the affairs of all His creation.. I will just note this for thought.. If God did not will for man to fall. .Knowing all things He could have put the trees and the snake outside of the garden.. So the fall was not only His will.. but it was in fact His plan by the placement of the trees and the snake ..
So people ask, Why would God not only allow the fall, but actually faciliate it ( I believe ordain it)
Because creation is not about us..it is about God.. if there had been no fall, we would never have seen sin..so we never would have known how Holy and Righteous God is. we never would have seen His wrath or His Mercy.. we would never have seen the fulness of God. I know many will have a hard time with this, but all creation and all the actions of men, including the fall are for His glory
Could God have chosen another way of Salvation? Yes, but He did not. Remember the angels who rebelled did so because they could not abide the idea of God humbling Himself to become one of us.
Interesting ...do we have a source for that ??