Gods will vs mans free will

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
R

Rufus

Well-known member
#144
Feb 17, 2024
2,002
219
63
#144
JohnRH said:
What generation(s) never heard the gospel?
Click to expand...
The generations that started from 70 A.D. (Mat 24:14). The gospel was indeed preached throughout the whole world known by the writers of the NT (i.e. the Roman Empire). But the Gospel never reached beyond the Roman Empire until after 70 A.D.
 
R

Rufus

Well-known member
#145
Feb 17, 2024
2,002
219
63
#145
glf said:
In James 1, we're told, "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."
And in 1 Cor 10, "There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it."

This is how I know that every act or thought is preordained of the Lord. So how does the Lord know the end from the beginning: Because time itself is/has been created and he dwells outside of time, observing the entire time line in the same instant. So that not only are a thousand years as a day and a day is as a thousand years, but also: 10,000 years are as a day and a day is as 10,000 years too. ect... ect...
Click to expand...
So...an omniscient God by "observing the entire time line in the same instant" actually acquires knowledge in time and space?
 
Iconoclast

Iconoclast

Senior Member
#147
May 27, 2017
941
222
43
usa
christianforumsuncensored.createaforum.com
#147
sawdust said:
Your understanding of free will doesn't exist because everything is bound to it's own nature but is that what is meant by free will?

Free does not mean to be without limitations. If such were the case, freedom couldn't truly exist for the universe would be a mishmash of random chaos.
Click to expand...
God is not free to lie, change or sin, because His Holy nature will not allow it.
 
G

glf

Active member
#149
Mar 18, 2023
155
67
28
#149
Rufus said:
So...an omniscient God by "observing the entire time line in the same instant" actually acquires knowledge in time and space?
Click to expand...
I wound't say acquire; as I suspect, that it's more of a knowing as all of time is right now from the Lord's perspective.
Scripture tells us in Rev 5, "And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;" I think that this shows us that the Lord doesn't even allow a nation to form were no one turns to the Lord.

As I was reading back to my original post for this topic, I noticed a huge mistake in what I said and believe! Yiikes!!!
So please, let me correct myself: This is how I know that every act or thought of man is "NOT" preordained by the Lord.
 
P

PaulThomson

Well-known member
#150
Oct 29, 2023
3,314
425
83
#150
Iconoclast said:
No..it is not...The words "free will are found 17x in the OT. They are speaking of offerings that are not commanded by the law.
It has nothing to do with mans will
Click to expand...
That's a pretty stupid assertion, Iconoclast. If they are not commanded by the law, and yet a person wants/wills to offer them to God, they are not being forced to want/will to offer them. That's why they are called free will offerings. It has everything to to do with man's will/desires. The only reason the offerings are being offered is because the person freely wants/wills to offer them.
 
JohnRH

JohnRH

Junior Member
#151
Mar 5, 2018
611
300
63
#151
Rufus said:
The gospel was indeed preached throughout the whole world known by the writers of the NT (i.e. the Roman Empire).
Click to expand...
The Holy Spirit didn't know about the world beyond the Roman Empire?
... the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Col 1:23 (KJV)

Rufus said:
But the Gospel never reached beyond the Roman Empire until after 70 A.D.
Click to expand...
Where does the Bible say that?
 
sawdust

sawdust

Active member
#152
Feb 12, 2024
804
150
43
67
Darwin, NT
#152
Iconoclast said:
God is not free to lie, change or sin, because His Holy nature will not allow it.
Click to expand...
Yes because freedom doesn't mean to be without restraint, that would be chaos. Freedom can only exist within authority, including God's freedom. He is His own authority as He is our authority and indeed the authority in all creation.
 
JohnRH

JohnRH

Junior Member
#153
Mar 5, 2018
611
300
63
#153
Iconoclast said:
No..it is not...The words "free will are found 17x in the OT. They are speaking of offerings that are not commanded by the law.
It has nothing to do with mans will
Click to expand...
I doubt it has anything to do with the animal's will.

The man's free will is even involved with the offering commanded by the law: he can freely to choose to obey that command or disobey it and reap the consequence.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.