Why free will?

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Evmur

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Feb 28, 2021
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christianchat.com
#41
“I don't think God needs to know everything that both does and does not exist to be all-knowing”

yeah I believe he does know all ….. it’s just a fundamental difference pertaining to this subject .

I don’t think even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from his foreknowledge and will

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10:29-30‬ ‭KJV‬‬

i don’t think if you even think a thought brother it’s hidden from the foreknowledge of God

my point was always that him knowing the end of all things from the beginning does not change the perspective of us it doesn’t mean now we don’t have a choice just because God knows the results it doesn’t change free Will it just states that God already knew those who would be saved

It doesn’t mean we don’t need to hear and believe and choose good he just knows who will before they are born or even exist in the womb

My point was gods foreknowledge doesn’t change free Will ot just about what God knows which again I believe Myself personally lol that yeah God knows all things it’s alright with me if you don’t think he does I’m okay with that difference
We agree it is according to God's foreknowledge and wisdom :)
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
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#42
... faith is a gift "... through faith and that not of yourself .... lest any should boast"
Yeah how does one receive it ?

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

So again we have to do this to be saved by faith

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

that’s how we can start to believe we have to hear what he said that’s how his word saved us from death …..its 100 percent about belief we have to hear what he said to believe it if we do we’ll be saved if we don’t if we reject his words this will happen

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”
‭‭John‬ ‭12:48-50‬ ‭KJV‬‬

we can’t believe it if we refuse to hear it this will save us from death if we accept it as truth your saying we’re saved by grace this is how graces saves us

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, ( the gospel was sent to all people ) teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”
‭‭Titus‬ ‭2:11-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We hear the lords word it reaches us to deny ungodliness and live upright lives now in this life .

If we heard this and believed it it would teach us something about denying i godliness and living right …but not if we hear it and say “ that’s not true it doesn’t apply to me “ then we’re not going to ever grasp repentance and it’s importance

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

so why preach the gospel then to the world of sinners who he says are going to die if they don’t repent ?

“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:13‬ ‭

Why is it so important to him that we repent ?

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

bexause he doesn’t want man to die in sin he wants then to repent and believe and have thier sins remitted

as we reject the things Jesus taught we are rejecting the source of faith that saves us and doing the only throng that’s going to condemn. Us reject the judgements of the judge we have to see

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

( this part )For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

( doesn’t deviate or change this part ) Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:12-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We have to listen to the gospel have to hear the lord teach us that’s how we’re saved by grace through faith we have to hear what God said to believe it that’s faith and how we receive the gift of faith ot was sent into the world that gift of faith “ preach the gospel to every creature “ whoever believes ……..whoever doesn’t believe …..
 

Evmur

Well-known member
Feb 28, 2021
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#44
Yeah how does one receive it ?

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

So again we have to do this to be saved by faith

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
‭‭John‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

that’s how we can start to believe we have to hear what he said that’s how his word saved us from death …..its 100 percent about belief we have to hear what he said to believe it if we do we’ll be saved if we don’t if we reject his words this will happen

He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”
‭‭John‬ ‭12:48-50‬ ‭KJV‬‬

we can’t believe it if we refuse to hear it this will save us from death if we accept it as truth your saying we’re saved by grace this is how graces saves us

“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, ( the gospel was sent to all people ) teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”
‭‭Titus‬ ‭2:11-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We hear the lords word it reaches us to deny ungodliness and live upright lives now in this life .

If we heard this and believed it it would teach us something about denying i godliness and living right …but not if we hear it and say “ that’s not true it doesn’t apply to me “ then we’re not going to ever grasp repentance and it’s importance

“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

so why preach the gospel then to the world of sinners who he says are going to die if they don’t repent ?

“But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:13‬ ‭

Why is it so important to him that we repent ?

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

bexause he doesn’t want man to die in sin he wants then to repent and believe and have thier sins remitted

as we reject the things Jesus taught we are rejecting the source of faith that saves us and doing the only throng that’s going to condemn. Us reject the judgements of the judge we have to see

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

( this part )For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

( doesn’t deviate or change this part ) Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:12-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We have to listen to the gospel have to hear the lord teach us that’s how we’re saved by grace through faith we have to hear what God said to believe it that’s faith and how we receive the gift of faith ot was sent into the world that gift of faith “ preach the gospel to every creature “ whoever believes ……..whoever doesn’t believe …..
It is not our voice people hear or our words but the Holy Ghost goes with us, to some the message of the cross is a sweet aroma of life, to others it is the stench of death. It is according to the hidden person of the heart.

God decides

God decides everything, He places us in the womb ... those whom He decided before all worlds were founded who should be people for His praise.
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
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#45
Hi Gideon

Adam had freewill ... we don't. We ARE sinners and we all will die.

But God has determined and is determined to save mankind and He has the means to bring man to repentance as with the prodigal son ... if he had prospered he never would have returned. But in the way in which man is made when he was brought to dearth and despair his "freewill" was subdued and over ridden.

"Freewill" is an illusion, a hoax, it is the deception that Satan used to lure Adam into sin HOW?

By taking away the consequences, "you will not die."

"Human freewill" will always lead to bondage and death.
It depends on how you define free will. Even if you disagree that unbelievers have free will, for sure those who are born again have free will.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,143
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#46
It is not our voice people hear or our words but the Holy Ghost goes with us, to some the message of the cross is a sweet aroma of life, to others it is the stench of death. It is according to the hidden person of the heart.

God decides

God decides everything, He places us in the womb ... those whom He decided before all worlds were founded who should be people for His praise.
is not our voice people hear or our words but the Holy Ghost goes with us, ….

yeah jesus told them that too but if they all said “ we don’t need to do anything “ the gospel wouldn’t have gotten preached God makes us able it’s our role to believe him and act upon faith

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.


For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.


Do all things without murmurings and disputings:”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:12-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Gods word works In us too change how we think and what our Will is saying and leading us to do

We sin because of this issue

“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭7:21-23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

that’s why sinners sin a corrupted heart that imagines and desires evil things the gospel can do this to that mind and heart

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.( this changes as we hesr Gods word our Will and desires and gives us discernment between good and evil fills the heart with the gospel We believe )

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:12-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

All I’m really saying brother is we have to hear the word of God that he sent into all e world for salvstion and said “ anyone that believes shall be saved “

of we don’t hear the gospel we cannot believe the gospel or if we try to erase the gospel and say it’s just about a cross and. Ot about the lord who lives and spoke and made promises of salvstion before he went to the cross then it’s not going to change our hearts and minds we have to hear his teachings in order to find discernment that’s going to change our corrupt hearts and minds

We need to hear from Jesus if we do we can change by faith

if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

and be renewed in the spirit of your mind;( learning from Jesus in tbe gospel does this )

and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:21-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

awe cant on one hand be created after God in true righteousness and holiness and also be slaves to the Will of Satan which is sin

We we’re all hopeless sinners but we died and were born again in Christ who is no helpless sinner but the lord of all
 

FollowerofShiloh

Well-known member
Jan 24, 2024
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#47
Why Free Will?


Look at the benefits from choosing to accept Who Jesus claims to be.
I am not saying we have a license to sin because sheep know the voice of their shepherd. But we have a guarantee with God that because we are fallible and will sin but our Advocate stands between us and God on our behalf. We are joint-heirs, adopted sons/daughters of God who still make mistakes. We even have directions to keep us on the "narrow path." Should we sin, we confess it genuinely and it's removed. But it does not affect our relationship in God because we really do not want to sin but our nature causes us to. And the Grace of God, our Creator, knows this and has Mercy upon us.

When we read Ephesians we see that before creating the world, God predestined/fore-ordained/elected a way to "save us." He elected Jesus before creating the world. And then God sent Jesus to save the world. Jesus tells us that "whosoever believes," which is the act of "free will," saves us. This is why free will, because look at what we get in return for accepting that knocking on our heart from God to come in and become Lord, God, and Savior of our lives.
 

PaulThomson

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Oct 29, 2023
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#49
What verses do you use for your theory? How do you define perfect knowledge? I knew my parents were eventually going to pass away.....I was still grieved and pained when it happened.

Plea to mystery? I don't hears whats you tells me?
But you didn't, before her birth, plan and choose the date and method of her death and deliberately enact that plan. Why would you grieve if you had done that?
 

PaulThomson

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2023
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455
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#50
What verses do you use for your theory? How do you define perfect knowledge? I knew my parents were eventually going to pass away.....I was still grieved and pained when it happened.

Plea to mystery? I don't hears whats you tells me?
My theory fits the entire Bible. Which text do you claim cannot be harmonised with my theory?

You cited "Job 37~~16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?"

I interpreted your use of that text as indication an appeal to mystery. Maybe you were leaning on the phrase "perfect in knowledge". But the text is only mentioning things that are God's knowledge concerning the past and present. It doesn't logically entitle the smuggling of exhaustive knowledge of the future into "perfect in knowledge".
 

PaulThomson

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2023
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455
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#51
and what about those who God has closed their eyes that they see not and stopped up their ears that they hear not and hardened their heart lest they should repent and be healed?

The ONLY reason you and I hear is because God opened our ear ... saved by grace bro.
If you give me the specific text reference you are relying on here, I'll explain it to you.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
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#52
My theory fits the entire Bible. Which text do you claim cannot be harmonised with my theory?

You cited "Job 37~~16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?"

I interpreted your use of that text as indication an appeal to mystery. Maybe you were leaning on the phrase "perfect in knowledge". But the text is only mentioning things that are God's knowledge concerning the past and present. It doesn't logically entitle the smuggling of exhaustive knowledge of the future into "perfect in knowledge".
Sometimes the word perfect is used in scripture to mean perfected or made whole and complete. If God doesn't change, wouldn't that mean He would never be said to made perfected or completed. In other words, if God doesn't know everything, including the future, when He did acquire the knowledge, would that be considered a perfecting or completing?
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
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#53
As Enoch discovered?
enoch seems to have discovered this

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.”
‭‭John‬ ‭8:51‬ ‭KJV‬‬
 

PaulThomson

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2023
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#54
“I don't think God needs to know everything that both does and does not exist to be all-knowing”

yeah I believe he does know all ….. it’s just a fundamental difference pertaining to this subject .
You believe God knows everything that has not, does not and will never exist?

I don’t think even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from his foreknowledge and will

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭10:29-30‬ ‭KJV‬‬
But your text makes no claim that God knows from before the foundation of the world when a particular sparrow will fall to the ground. It talks about God's knowledge of the present.

i don’t think if you even think a thought brother it’s hidden from the foreknowledge of God
Again, that's God's knowledge of the present. God does not need to have, from before the foundtion of the world, exhaustive knowledge of the future, for Him to know what I am thinking now.

my point was always that him knowing the end of all things from the beginning does not change the perspective of us it doesn’t mean now we don’t have a choice just because God knows the results it doesn’t change free Will it just states that God already knew those who would be saved.

It doesn’t mean we don’t need to hear and believe and choose good he just knows who will before they are born or even exist in the womb

My point was gods foreknowledge doesn’t change free Will ot just about what God knows which again I believe Myself personally lol that yeah God knows all things it’s alright with me if you don’t think he does I’m okay with that difference
I understand that foreknowledge of something as a human being does not necessarily imply causation of that thing. I can know that my mother will visit me tomorrow without me causing her to visit. However, I am not choosing to set into motion a specific comprehensive set of events that I know will unfailingly include my mother visiting me at that time and date, when I also had a myriad of scenarios to choose from that included her not visiting me. It is the claim that God chose this particular exhaustive history from every other possible exhaustive history that makes God's exhaustive foreknowledge causative. The only way out of God's exhaustive foreknowledge implying God's deliberate causation of our choices, IMHO, is to claim that God did not consciously choose this particular exhaustive history, but randomly selected it from all the possible options.
 

PaulThomson

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2023
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#55
Sometimes the word perfect is used in scripture to mean perfected or made whole and complete. If God doesn't change, wouldn't that mean He would never be said to made perfected or completed. In other words, if God doesn't know everything, including the future, when He did acquire the knowledge, would that be considered a perfecting or completing?
Where does the bible indicate, taking account of context, that God doesn't change in any way whatsoever? The bible says many times that God observes people to see what they are doing. He learns by observing. An infinite intellect or mind can add more knowledge to that infinity. Infinity can be added to.

Gen. 2:19 God brought animals to Adam to see what he would call them.

Gen. 18:20 "I will go down to see whether they do according to the outcry which has come to me; and if not, I will know."

Ps. 14:2 "The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there are any that act wisely, that seek after God.
 

Pilgrimshope

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Sep 2, 2020
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#56
You believe God knows everything that has not, does not and will never exist?



But your text makes no claim that God knows from before the foundation of the world when a particular sparrow will fall to the ground. It talks about God's knowledge of the present.



Again, that's God's knowledge of the present. God does not need to have, from before the foundtion of the world, exhaustive knowledge of the future, for Him to know what I am thinking now.



I understand that foreknowledge of something as a human being does not necessarily imply causation of that thing. I can know that my mother will visit me tomorrow without me causing her to visit. However, I am not choosing to set into motion a specific comprehensive set of events that I know will unfailingly include my mother visiting me at that time and date, when I also had a myriad of scenarios to choose from that included her not visiting me. It is the claim that God chose this particular exhaustive history from every other possible exhaustive history that makes God's exhaustive foreknowledge causative. The only way out of God's exhaustive foreknowledge implying God's deliberate causation of our choices, IMHO, is to claim that God did not consciously choose this particular exhaustive history, but randomly selected it from all the possible options.
You believe God knows everything that has not, does not and will never exist?

Do I believe the God who created all things and determined the times set for reach person and created of one blood all nations of men by his determinate for knowledge and Will knows all ? Yes I do I mean like I said it doesn’t bother or affect me if you don’t think tbat and I’m not saying it’s gonna bind you to hell or some nonsense ….but yes I believe in an all knowing God who also has given us free Will and informed us of good and evil and tbier outcome I believe he knew the ones who would be saved before he created the earth I believe both good and evil are part of Gods plan for mankind’s salvstion

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭1:5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I believe everything comes from what God the one and only creator declares both good and evil based on man’s choice after they have been informed

I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭45:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The thing is he tells mankind beforehand what’s going to happen …..that’s who God is and is the nature of his words

That verse doesn’t mean God creates evil arbitrarily Evil is created from Gods wrath against mankinds sin and wickedness we provoke God to it

“For the LORD of hosts, that planted thee, hath pronounced evil against thee,

for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭11:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

i believe God declares it all beforehand and later it comes to pass

“Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭42:9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

So for instance I believe God knew this outside of the linear timeline before Paul ever receive the revelation of it

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3:1-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

inbekieve that God understood that before the world was created. And I believe the new heaven and earth was always his plan to create mankind pit then on earth where they are tried and those who find faith will inherit the true eternal creation and sin will be eliminated darkness will be eliminated forever life and peace

i believe God has a plan that’s been unfolding for thousands of years and we are inside of that plan we aren’t omnipotent like he is and we aren’t outside the timeline so for us from our perspective we are informed and we choose regardless that he already knows he wants everyone to be saved but he also knows not everyone will repent and believe ….

I believe he knows all I can’t really say it any differently I believe God knew my name , who my parents were , knew the trials I’d face in life nd how I would respond to them and so he worked in me in tbe areas he knew were weak and slowly changed me and brought me to a better place because he knew what would happen if he didn’t …

i think personally if God doesn’t know the outcome he would make a lot of mistakes I think because he knows he’s designed a perfect plan of redemption and it’s unfolding and those who hear and believe the gospel will be saved

I believe this only through Christ though that when he came God became all in all
 

Cameron143

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Mar 1, 2022
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#57
Where does the bible indicate, taking account of context, that God doesn't change in any way whatsoever? The bible says many times that God observes people to see what they are doing. He learns by observing. An infinite intellect or mind can add more knowledge to that infinity. Infinity can be added to.

Gen. 2:19 God brought animals to Adam to see what he would call them.

Gen. 18:20 "I will go down to see whether they do according to the outcry which has come to me; and if not, I will know."

Ps. 14:2 "The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there are any that act wisely, that seek after God.
Malachi 3:6...For I am the Lord, I change not...
 

Mem

Senior Member
Sep 23, 2014
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#58
Or perhaps He was simply confident enough in His intellect and ability to engineer strategies in real time to mitigate any threats from His creatures to derail His overall plan.
How do you see Jesus telling his disciples that He must go through Samaria and, from our perspective, the only reason seems to be to rest on the well that Jacob dug. Was the woman that came just another opportunity or was meeting her part of His plan?
 

PaulThomson

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Oct 29, 2023
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#59
How do you see Jesus telling his disciples that He must go through Samaria and, from our perspective, the only reason seems to be to rest on the well that Jacob dug. Was the woman that came just another opportunity or was meeting her part of His plan?
The Father knew this woman's heart and her habits and was able to shepherd her to the well using this present knowledge. There is no need to posit an eternal plan from eternity past that included this particular woman being born and eventually serial marrying and shacking up with her sixth etc.
 

PaulThomson

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Oct 29, 2023
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#60
i think personally if God doesn’t know the outcome he would make a lot of mistakes I think because he knows he’s designed a perfect plan of redemption and it’s unfolding and those who hear and believe the gospel will be saved
It's does not seem to be a God who is particularly agile on His feet (fig.) and capable of real time problem-solving that has to meticulously ordain every detail of history or else fail in his objectives.