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To: so_real
God chooses what He knows and when He knows it.

So God tricks himself into restricting His total knowledge and just focuses on partial knowledge, keeping the best for last?

I don't think God works that way. It's all-or-nothing. He's either God and He knows ALL, or He's not God.

The "elect" refers to those whom God already knows (thanks to His perfect knowledge) will sit with Him in heaven. And since God created everyone and everything, He knows just what He's doing and where everyone will end up.

I think that's logical, and I think you're almost a Calvinist. 8~)

443 posted on 04/28/2003 3:45:57 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg (There are very few shades of gray.)
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To: Dr. Eckleburg; Seven_0; RnMomof7
So God tricks himself into restricting His total knowledge and just focuses on partial knowledge, keeping the best for last?

Yes! That's it! Well, that's almost it. I don't know about keeping the best for last. It's just my opinion, but I rather think God enjoys the trip as much as the end of the journey. Just like parents on Earth, it's fun to hold out your hands and help your child take his first steps, not knowing if he'll be football player, or gymnist, or what-have-you.

As far as restricting His total knowledge, there is Biblical precedent for it.

Mat 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Mark 13:32 But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

And also, with credit to Seven_0 and RnMomof7 for posts 338 and 342, we know that God is also capable of un-remembering

Heb 8:12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.

Isa 43:25 I, [even] I, [am] he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Hbr 10:17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

In fact, there is nothing He is incapable of.

Jer 32:27 Behold, I [am] the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

With Biblical precedent, it's not a far stretch to suspect that God is aware of what He wants to be aware of, when He wants to be aware of it. If so, there is no paradox. There are none created unredeemable. No one can claim to hold God accountable for their damnation. And "squishy" Bible verses like Luke 12:35-48 become more clear.

And also, Matthew 12 verses 36 and 37: "But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."

If God has predetermined our judgement, He must also have predetermined our words. If He condemns us by our words, and our words are predetermined by Him, what is He condemning really?
475 posted on 04/28/2003 6:34:58 PM PDT by so_real (It's all about sharing the Weather)
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