The Absence of Free Will

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ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
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#61
God acts through nature which is called natural revelation like the amazement of the universe, language capabilities of the DNA, teleological arguments of all structures and laws, and the moral law. But God also acts in spiritual revelation before belief as in the Holy Spirit. Both revelations work in unison so none can be without excuse if they rebel against both revelations.
I believe you are basing your comments on Romans 10, but he is telling his born again children that they are without excuse. The natural man only has faith in the things of the world and cannot discern anything that is of a spiritual nature, 1 Cor 2:14.
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
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#62
I believe you are basing your comments on Romans 10, but he is telling his born again children that they are without excuse. The natural man only has faith in the things of the world and cannot discern anything that is of a spiritual nature, 1 Cor 2:14.
Close but
Romans 1:19-20 New International Version (NIV)
19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

These without excuse being spoken of is not the born again children specifically but all of mankind. Gods natural revelation is the reason why many religions exist and how even the most remote of human tribe has been found responding to the spiritual signals to worship something. Gods natural revelation is the reason why within the different religions some truths match the message within Christianity due to their observation of reality that God has created.

For example the idea of a God, gods, or higher power is everyone responding to the spiritual pursuit and yes a God exists so technically they all are responding to the natural revelation just some have responded and followed the Holy Spirits urges with a pure heart dedicated to the truth.

The one true God will continue to draw these people, will send his Word, missionaries, dreams, etc to guide them closer to the ultimate truth in Christ
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,784
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#63
I think it would be good for all who continue in this post to reread the original OP because when starting this I was really hoping to see how does the believer in no free will be able to justify such conclusions in the OP.

Most folks on here are already predetermined to believe one view of theology haha made a joke. But anyways I wasn't looking to persuad the opposition of free will. But truly wanted to hear the reasoning to explain the OP's conclusions.

Thanks.
 

Jimbone

Senior Member
Aug 22, 2014
2,694
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#64
Well without getting into OSAS and staying within free will. I agree we have free will. Your interpretation limits it but still allows free will. So the idea of the original OP still holds between us and that is good with me. Thank you for your patience and explanations.
It's funny how we see this, you see my view as a bit limiting, but I see your view the same way, the question becomes what we think is being limited. I think you see my view as limiting man's will a bit, limiting our part in salvation, but I see your view as limiting too, only I see yours as limiting God's power over all creation. I think you increase man's will a bit too much. (I could be wrong about what you felt was limited, and did assume here, so if I was wrong please correct me)

This said it is very interesting and I want to just be so clear that I believe I am have a discussion amongst brothers, and truly pray that comes through in the text. It's so much easier in person where we can see how these words are coming out, and I know in text it's just more "in your face!!!", but nothing I wrote I wrote looking down my nose, or just in a "I'll teach you" type attitude. Trust me I have NO room ever to ever, ever, ever ever, look down at anyone, ever. I am just trying to share what I was given by our Lord and King Jesus and to learn and come to all truth through His magnificent plan. Man I love Him, and I LOVE His people, I love you guys and I know we have some differences, like this, but I love when we actually talk it out, and come together in the process rather than folding our arms with our backs to each other. I am very grateful for this conversation and I truly pray we all work just a little bit harder to come together, to build each other up.
I hope I've posted enough here, and made my position on God's word known well enough to know this does not, and can not, mean compromising the truth of the gospel in any way, but that does not mean we can't work a bit harder to do it in a way that brings together instead of throwing up walls as fast as possible until you look up and it's you all alone in a small room with no door. I'm not even sure why I felt compelled to write this, it's really just how I see us representing Jesus to the online world sometimes.....well many times, and again I KNOW I've been a horrible perpetrator of this far more often than I wish were true, but I want to be better at it and I know who to go to to help guide me to this knowledge and the experiences that build us up for these things. Praise Jesus mighty name. Have a great day everyone. :D
 

Hevosmies

Well-known member
Sep 8, 2018
3,612
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#65
Your statement has nothing to do with gospel and isnt profitable to anyone either. But you thought of it as important to share also.

But unfortunately your wrong because I have spoken to many atheists on the issue of free will that materialism destroys and the illogic that follows that. My original OP equips the believer with good arguments and questions to stir the mind of a nonbeliever from materialism.
The Bible tells us to always be ready to give an answer for the hope that we have.

But me personally how I like to roll is, I give the truth AS IT IS, and if they dont like it TOO BAD. Not my job to convince them! I leave that to the Holy Spirit!
 

Hevosmies

Well-known member
Sep 8, 2018
3,612
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#66
I think it would be good for all who continue in this post to reread the original OP because when starting this I was really hoping to see how does the believer in no free will be able to justify such conclusions in the OP.

Most folks on here are already predetermined to believe one view of theology haha made a joke. But anyways I wasn't looking to persuad the opposition of free will. But truly wanted to hear the reasoning to explain the OP's conclusions.

Thanks.
Sorry folks! I will do my best to answer your question. Can you rephrase it in a 40IQ level? Im so dumb that one time I was walking to church and my phone said "no service" and I turned back thinking church was cancelled!

"How does the believer in no free will be able to justify such conclusions in the OP." what conclusions? I couldn't understand many words that was used in the OP as i am NOT from english speaking country, nor do I live in one! Im just a dumb ole GYPSY WARRIOR. I'll answer once I understand the question(s)!
 

ForestGreenCook

Well-known member
Jul 8, 2018
8,181
1,177
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#67
Close but
Romans 1:19-20 New International Version (NIV)
19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

These without excuse being spoken of is not the born again children specifically but all of mankind. Gods natural revelation is the reason why many religions exist and how even the most remote of human tribe has been found responding to the spiritual signals to worship something. Gods natural revelation is the reason why within the different religions some truths match the message within Christianity due to their observation of reality that God has created.

For example the idea of a God, gods, or higher power is everyone responding to the spiritual pursuit and yes a God exists so technically they all are responding to the natural revelation just some have responded and followed the Holy Spirits urges with a pure heart dedicated to the truth.

The one true God will continue to draw these people, will send his Word, missionaries, dreams, etc to guide them closer to the ultimate truth in Christ
Romans 1:18, Who hold the TRUTH in unrighteousness. Who is holding the truth in unrighteousness, is it the unregenerate, who cannot discern spiritual things, or those spiritual born again people who have a lack of knowledge of the truth, as indicated in Rom 10:1-2? All mankind who are not born again do not HOLD THE TRUTH at all because they cannot discern it, 1 Cor 2:14. Rom 1:19, The spiritual things of God, who is a Spirit, cannot manifest spiritual things in the unregenerate person that cannot discern spiritual things. These spoken of as being without excuse are, indeed, born again children of God.
 

Lafftur

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2017
6,732
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#68
Well, we really miss it when we focus on ourselves, when we think and judge according to our view or how it all pertains to us.

Just pretend for a moment and try to see EVERYTHING through God’s eyes....

As God, You can create any and every habitat - thus, we have all the various galaxies, solar systems, universes, and all the unseen realm of principalities, spiritual beings, demons, angels, et al.

Any and everything you desire - just speak and it is so.....yet, after having everything you desire, why are you not satisfied?

Because the greatest desire, need and want of LOVE is NOT habitats and things but........

....to love and to be loved.

Here’s God’s dilemma.... love cannot be created.

He can create everything except love - the one and only thing that God truly wants.

So, He creates us in His image and gives us the “capacity” to love and gives us free will because love without a choice is manipulation, not love at all - just a bunch of robots.

So, what role does “free will” and “predestination” play in this scenario....:unsure:

God offers us two paths - Life and Death. With our free will we get to choose the path, however, the paths are predestined- one ends in Life the other in Death.

God tells us to choose Life but, He leaves the decision up to us.

So those in Heaven will truly love God because they chose to - God will finally have what He has always wanted......us.

You CHOSE to love your children? And they CHOOSE to love you? Is it not inherent, or rather created?

In fact, when we see a mother that doesn't instinctively love her child we think she has some mental flaw.

We don't think of ourselves or our children as robots. Yet we KNOW that we instinctively love them. Almost like we were programmed (lol) to love them!
Hello PennEd,

We are created with the “capacity” or “ability” to love but, we have to choose to do so.

God is LOVE - He is the Creator. Never was He created.

Love cannot be created.
That’s nice sister, but you didn’t answer any of the questions.
So sorry I did not answer your questions. Let me try again....:love:

PennEd: You CHOSE to love your children?

Lafftur: Yes, I chose to.

PennEd: And they CHOOSE to love you?

Lafftur: Yes, they chose to love me.

PennEd: Is it not inherent, or rather created?

Lafftur: No, it is not inherent or created, although it may appear so because God has created us with the "capacity and ability" to love and it is EASY for a parent to choose to love their child; HOWEVER, love without a choice is not love.

inherent definition: existing in something as a permanent, essential or characteristic attribute.
created definition: bring something into existence


Our "capacity and ability" to love is inherent and has been created in us by God, however, we still have to choose to love.

Please feel free to ask me more questions, if you desire to do so. :love:(y)
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,784
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#69
It's funny how we see this, you see my view as a bit limiting, but I see your view the same way, the question becomes what we think is being limited. I think you see my view as limiting man's will a bit, limiting our part in salvation, but I see your view as limiting too, only I see yours as limiting God's power over all creation. I think you increase man's will a bit too much. (I could be wrong about what you felt was limited, and did assume here, so if I was wrong please correct me)

This said it is very interesting and I want to just be so clear that I believe I am have a discussion amongst brothers, and truly pray that comes through in the text. It's so much easier in person where we can see how these words are coming out, and I know in text it's just more "in your face!!!", but nothing I wrote I wrote looking down my nose, or just in a "I'll teach you" type attitude. Trust me I have NO room ever to ever, ever, ever ever, look down at anyone, ever. I am just trying to share what I was given by our Lord and King Jesus and to learn and come to all truth through His magnificent plan. Man I love Him, and I LOVE His people, I love you guys and I know we have some differences, like this, but I love when we actually talk it out, and come together in the process rather than folding our arms with our backs to each other. I am very grateful for this conversation and I truly pray we all work just a little bit harder to come together, to build each other up.
I hope I've posted enough here, and made my position on God's word known well enough to know this does not, and can not, mean compromising the truth of the gospel in any way, but that does not mean we can't work a bit harder to do it in a way that brings together instead of throwing up walls as fast as possible until you look up and it's you all alone in a small room with no door. I'm not even sure why I felt compelled to write this, it's really just how I see us representing Jesus to the online world sometimes.....well many times, and again I KNOW I've been a horrible perpetrator of this far more often than I wish were true, but I want to be better at it and I know who to go to to help guide me to this knowledge and the experiences that build us up for these things. Praise Jesus mighty name. Have a great day everyone. :D
I think you see my view as limiting man's will a bit, limiting our part in salvation, but I see your view as limiting too, only I see yours as limiting God's power over all creation. I think you increase man's will a bit too much.
Nope its reality. If God had control over all of creation then the existence of evil would be impossible.

We either have free will or we dont. Our only choice is to respond in faith or rebel in pride. Man's role in salvation is so far limited that God only asks us to first believe, repent, and accept God into our heart. Faith cannot be forced or it couldn't be genuine. Love couldn't be forced or it wouldn't be genuine.

Free will agents is the best answer for evil. Otherwise God is the determined author of evil.
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,784
4,451
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#70
Your re
The Bible tells us to always be ready to give an answer for the hope that we have.

But me personally how I like to roll is, I give the truth AS IT IS, and if they dont like it TOO BAD. Not my job to convince them! I leave that to the Holy Spirit!
Your reply is contradicting though. You mentioned the truth says to give a defense but then you say I dont roll that way.
 

Deade

Called of God
Dec 17, 2017
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yeshuaofisrael.org
#71
I believe in a sovereign God over everything, that is so big, so great, that His sovereignty works in and through our decisions, and and everything that happens for His glory to bring about His kingdom. ( HAVE to admit this is so far beyond my comprehension that it's baffling)
You have hit the nail on the head, Jimbone. We have free will (decision ability) but God directs our choices. Not by steering us like robots, but by giving us practical solutions.

Let me put it this way. God is sovereign and owns everything. That includes the whole earth and all its inhabitants. God has the keys to life and death. He put in our hearts to seek eternal life. Ecc. 3:11 (ESV)"He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."

He didn't do that as a cruel joke, He did it because He wants us to seek it. He then sent His Son to be the doorway to that everlasting life. God is purging His universe of evil. Once He is done purging the evil, that doorway be shut. Praise Him for the open door! 12-jfj.gif
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
55,247
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#72
I prefer the term "self will" to " free will."

In Christ there is freedom but with freedom comes responsibility.

Acting in freedom without a sense of responsibility lends itself to chaos.

"... for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose." Phil 2:13
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
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#73
Romans 1:18, Who hold the TRUTH in unrighteousness. Who is holding the truth in unrighteousness, is it the unregenerate, who cannot discern spiritual things, or those spiritual born again people who have a lack of knowledge of the truth, as indicated in Rom 10:1-2? All mankind who are not born again do not HOLD THE TRUTH at all because they cannot discern it, 1 Cor 2:14. Rom 1:19, The spiritual things of God, who is a Spirit, cannot manifest spiritual things in the unregenerate person that cannot discern spiritual things. These spoken of as being without excuse are, indeed, born again children of God.
Romans 1:18 New International Version (NIV)
God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

(Sorry I may not of included enough context. One verse above says wrath of God is against all people who suppress the truth. )


Romans 1:19-20 New International Version (NIV)
19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

(The scriptures above is truth in nature)

Romans 2:14-15 New International Version (NIV)
14 (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.)

(The scriptures above is truth in moral law)

John 16:7-9 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.

(The scriptures above is truth by the Spirit)

There is not a better evangelist in the world than the Holy Spirit.” Dwight L. Moody
 

Hevosmies

Well-known member
Sep 8, 2018
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#74
Your re

Your reply is contradicting though. You mentioned the truth says to give a defense but then you say I dont roll that way.
If you start debating with atheists you can keep debating till the cows come home. They always have SOME objection, faster than you'll know it, you'll be busy answering their babble instead of giving out the Gospel

My church has an ACTIVE evangelism/soul-winning program and I HAVE FOUND through experience that giving the Gospel is the best way to get folks saved, let the Holy Spirit do the work.
Sure I will answer SOME questions, but I wont be sitting there doing a debate with them, why debate with fools???(A FOOL HAS SAID IN HIS HEART THERE IS NO GOD!) THAT WONT GET US NOWHERE
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
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#75
If you start debating with atheists you can keep debating till the cows come home. They always have SOME objection, faster than you'll know it, you'll be busy answering their babble instead of giving out the Gospel

My church has an ACTIVE evangelism/soul-winning program and I HAVE FOUND through experience that giving the Gospel is the best way to get folks saved, let the Holy Spirit do the work.
Sure I will answer SOME questions, but I wont be sitting there doing a debate with them, why debate with fools???(A FOOL HAS SAID IN HIS HEART THERE IS NO GOD!) THAT WONT GET US NOWHERE
A healthy debate as a Christian will include the Gospel and reality. Often times just testing the beliefs of others against reality puts those beliefs on shifting sand. Giving the Gospel room to break through the hardness of the heart.

But this is usually done best after you have spent a little time with them and began a relationship.

Different evangelism but more of a response to the needs of the culture. After all many of our young folks do see truth to be absolute or the Bible as true much less authoritative.

So if you approach them and say God loves you. They dont believe in God or agnostic about God.

You ask well why?

They may say because no one can know the truth of such a thing outside of what we see.

You ask again is that statement true?

They are forced to reconsider their statement and belief that if their current statement in their belief wasnt true then in reality truth can be known.

Then you can move on to what evidence do they have to disprove God. They if honest will say none because you cannot disprove God.

So this can move a atheist to atleast agnostic.

Once there you can ask well what would it take for you to believe in God?

They may say a direct miracle we can observe right now.

Then you can say. Okay how about the creation miracle out of nothing came space, time, and all matter? We can observe that event as we observe other past events in space.

They may not know how to reply or if they do it will be out of ignorance. And then you just simply ask questions about the ignorance to further shifting sands.

Until A. they are eager to hear more
B. Will walk away with a crisis in belief that now they must answer if they are truly seeking truth.
 

PennEd

Senior Member
Apr 22, 2013
12,818
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#76
So sorry I did not answer your questions. Let me try again....:love:

PennEd: You CHOSE to love your children?

Lafftur: Yes, I chose to.

PennEd: And they CHOOSE to love you?

Lafftur: Yes, they chose to love me.

PennEd: Is it not inherent, or rather created?

Lafftur: No, it is not inherent or created, although it may appear so because God has created us with the "capacity and ability" to love and it is EASY for a parent to choose to love their child; HOWEVER, love without a choice is not love.

inherent definition: existing in something as a permanent, essential or characteristic attribute.
created definition: bring something into existence


Our "capacity and ability" to love is inherent and has been created in us by God, however, we still have to choose to love.

Please feel free to ask me more questions, if you desire to do so. :love:(y)
Gosh, I couldn't disagree with you more.
Maybe we have different definitions for love?


Your'e telling me that a 3 or 4 year old CHOOSES to love their mom? Yet have you seen how much these little ones cling to and love their parents?

I can tell you I didn't choose to love my boys. I loved them from the moment they were born. There was no choice I had to make.
I reiterate, when a parent DOESN'T love their child or a child DOESN'T love their parents we say there is something wrong with them. They are wired wrong. Meaning they are PROGRAMMED wrong.

What you may be confusing is that we may not treat those we love in a the way you would expect a loved one should be treated. Check out this pic and story and tell me this mom and newborn CHOSE to love each other:


September 12 at 9:48 AM
I love science! This is the first MRI of a mother kissing her baby. Her kiss has caused a chemical reaction in her baby’s brain that released a burst of oxytocin (a hormone that produces feelings of affection and attachment). ❤️ It’s an MRI of love! ❤️
 

Lafftur

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2017
6,732
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#77
Gosh, I couldn't disagree with you more.
Maybe we have different definitions for love?


Your'e telling me that a 3 or 4 year old CHOOSES to love their mom? Yet have you seen how much these little ones cling to and love their parents?

I can tell you I didn't choose to love my boys. I loved them from the moment they were born. There was no choice I had to make.
I reiterate, when a parent DOESN'T love their child or a child DOESN'T love their parents we say there is something wrong with them. They are wired wrong. Meaning they are PROGRAMMED wrong.

What you may be confusing is that we may not treat those we love in a the way you would expect a loved one should be treated. Check out this pic and story and tell me this mom and newborn CHOSE to love each other:


September 12 at 9:48 AM
I love science! This is the first MRI of a mother kissing her baby. Her kiss has caused a chemical reaction in her baby’s brain that released a burst of oxytocin (a hormone that produces feelings of affection and attachment). ❤️ It’s an MRI of love! ❤️
Oxytocin also produces breast milk and helps the uterus contract back to normal size..... is that love or biological?

There is a neurological, physical and spiritual bonding between mother and child designed by God to protect and nourish the human species, during this time. It’s wonderful. During this time it’s easy to chose to love but, it changes. Eventually, it becomes a choice.
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,784
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#78
Gosh, I couldn't disagree with you more.
Maybe we have different definitions for love?


Your'e telling me that a 3 or 4 year old CHOOSES to love their mom? Yet have you seen how much these little ones cling to and love their parents?

I can tell you I didn't choose to love my boys. I loved them from the moment they were born. There was no choice I had to make.
I reiterate, when a parent DOESN'T love their child or a child DOESN'T love their parents we say there is something wrong with them. They are wired wrong. Meaning they are PROGRAMMED wrong.

What you may be confusing is that we may not treat those we love in a the way you would expect a loved one should be treated. Check out this pic and story and tell me this mom and newborn CHOSE to love each other:


September 12 at 9:48 AM
I love science! This is the first MRI of a mother kissing her baby. Her kiss has caused a chemical reaction in her baby’s brain that released a burst of oxytocin (a hormone that produces feelings of affection and attachment). ❤️ It’s an MRI of love! ❤️
"I reiterate, when a parent DOESN'T love their child or a child DOESN'T love their parents we say there is something wrong with them. They are wired wrong. Meaning they are PROGRAMMED wrong."

The something wrong is called sin by the Parent. The parent can choose to kiss the child and grow a bond or not. If not the child can just as easily bond with a adoptive mother. We see terrible moms all the time.

The mother gets a huge dose of oxytocin at birth in which can alter emotions but by no means forces ones actions. And oxytocin isnt a continually on chemical. It stops just as the high emotional love within the first months of dating becomes less and love becomes a working relationship. As to why we have marriage vows. You dont take vows at the beginning when it's easy. You take vows for when loving becomes hard.
 
Feb 28, 2016
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#79
your are 'deluded' we are 'all' 'CONCIEVDED in SIN" = READ the Bible', IF you are a believer! - if not, then you are on your own...,
and have and reject=NO HOPE or any belief in a future after Life after death=of our Spiritual -Body...
 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,784
4,451
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#80
your are 'deluded' we are 'all' 'CONCIEVDED in SIN" = READ the Bible', IF you are a believer! - if not, then you are on your own...,
and have and reject=NO HOPE or any belief in a future after Life after death=of our Spiritual -Body...
Are you replying to someone or the OP?