FK: I don’t see how. The only premises needed are that God has a will and is omnipotent. I wouldn’t expect you to disagree with either of those. :)***
Mark: It also assumes that God is a micromanager robot programmer.
God can't be a robot programmer because He gave us a will. He does micromanage those things He cares about though. That should be expected since He called His creation good. Wouldn't you also take care of what you created?
Maybe the God of Scripture isn’t saddled with human insecurities about control.
The extent to which God gives up His control is the same extent to which He is irresponsible, immoral, and does not care about us. This is what we see in the real world under Catholic theology. Most choose against God and He chooses to do nothing to effectually prevent it, even though He has the full power, authority, and right to do so. He doesn't care. Once again you have God choosing for man's will to supersede His own will. You have to say that it is more important to God that man have the free will you crave than is the eternal destiny of the very ones you say He loves. That would be completely irresponsible of a loving God.
He is the Creator; there is little evidence that He is a micromanager and there is a lot of evidence that He has endowed us with free will. Immense plan?
Does God not trifle with small things in your life? Have you never experienced a "small" miracle? I sure have and give the glory to God. And yes, one would expect an immense plan from an immense God.
God cannot be immoral.
I agree, but that would mean that the Catholic idea of free will would have to fall. :) The Catholic idea of free will is akin to a parent allowing a mentally handicapped child to play alone in the front yard by a busy street. It would be immoral.
The words of Jesus make it plain that He has bestowed all the gifts that it takes for us.
For you and me (us believers), yes. Jesus prayed for us, but He did not pray for the world.
***God can’t be a robot programmer because He gave us a will.***
If your every moment in life is predetermined, then you don’t have a will.
***He does micromanage those things He cares about though.***
Where does it say that?
***The extent to which God gives up His control is the same extent to which He is irresponsible, immoral, and does not care about us. This is what we see in the real world under Catholic theology.***
We need to remove the foggy glasses, then. Your statement does not remotely reflect Catholicism.
***Most choose against God and He chooses to do nothing to effectually prevent it, even though He has the full power, authority, and right to do so. He doesn’t care. Once again you have God choosing for man’s will to supersede His own will.***
God chose the Jews and the whole OT is an attempt to get their attention. God calls all men to him. John 3:17:
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
But He knows that not all will obey.
*** That would be completely irresponsible of a loving God.***
Ascribing anthropomorthic descriptions of what God is or isn’t in spite of Gospel verse doesn’t cut it. Jesus taught and either we listen to various government proclamations, construct our own theologies, or follow the Church of Jesus Christ.
***Does God not trifle with small things in your life? Have you never experienced a “small” miracle? I sure have and give the glory to God.***
And the same goes for me in both the experiences and the praise to God.
***For you and me (us believers), yes. Jesus prayed for us, but He did not pray for the world.***
John 3:17.