Foreknowledge Problem

[All-American]

I think God does know what we'll do, but he doesn't control what we do. He puts us in the position where we have to make the choice because to withhold the opportunity for growth and progression from the otherwise deserving would be unjust. I think we're tempted and tested so WE can find out what we are made of. I think God knew what Abraham would do, but I bet Abraham did not.

Similarly, some of the most important moments in my life with respect to my relationship with God are the moments where I found out what I was willing to do. Even if God already knew what I would do when put through the fire, I learned a lot about myself through those trials, and I feel like I am a better person for it.

[creekster]

I think God does know what we'll do, but he doesn't control what we do. He puts us in the position where we have to make the choice because to withhold the opportunity for growth and progression from the otherwise deserving would be unjust. I think we're tempted and tested so WE can find out what we are made of. I think God knew what Abraham would do, but I bet Abraham did not.

Similarly, some of the most important moments in my life with respect to my relationship with God are the moments where I found out what I was willing to do. Even if God already knew what I would do when put through the fire, I learned a lot about myself through those trials, and I feel like I am a better person for it.

Either God Knows everything or he doesn't. If he knows everything (which is not just Mormon lore, btw) then we arent making choices at all. We are performing in his play. He wrote our script just as sure as any playwright ever has. If he lacks certain knowledge, then it puts a lit of other issues in play.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Either God Knows everything or he doesn't. If he knows everything (which is not just Mormon lore, btw) then we arent making choices at all. We are performing in his play. He wrote our script just as sure as any playwright ever has. If he lacks certain knowledge, then it puts a lit of other issues in play.

If God knows everything, does that mean he directs everything?

[creekster]

If God knows everything, does that mean he directs everything?

If he sees it from the beginning, yes.

remember, we are not talking about high probability, we are talking about 100% certainty.

[Babs]

bump.

[creekster]

bump.

He knew you would do that.

[wuapinmon]

He knew you would do that.

Hell, I knew she would do that.

[creekster]

Hell, I knew she would do that.

Who'd you think I meant?

[wuapinmon]

Who'd you think I meant?

My God-complex not withstanding, I thought you were talking about Abraxas.

[Babs]

Who'd you think I meant?

Seattle?

[SoonerCoug]

I have a hard time speculating about questions like this when there is really no evidence that God exists in the first place.

But if I were to make an argument on God and foreknowledge, this would be it:

God is like the ultimate mathematician. He is a huge nerd, and he gets a kick out of things like chaos theory. He has no control over what's going on, but he understands everything. My picture of God is of a man/woman sitting somewhere in celestial lazyboy watching randomness unfold and chuckling as humans try to give credit or pass blame for things that God doesn't even really care about, much less control.

[mUUser]

God knows all that CAN be known, but isn't omniscient in the sense that He has foreknowledge and knows all the teeny, tiny details about the future. He does, however, have special foresight about us, and faith in us, because of His intimate knowledge of our history and character, and can offer His spirit for guidance. His promise that he'll never put us in a position (although others might) where we have no choice is probably true. I think we have genuine agency, and have the ability from time to time, to surprise Him with our choices & actions.

A God of faith and an omniscient (knows all there is to know about the future) God is incongruant IMO.

[All-American]

Either God Knows everything or he doesn't. If he knows everything (which is not just Mormon lore, btw) then we arent making choices at all. We are performing in his play. He wrote our script just as sure as any playwright ever has. If he lacks certain knowledge, then it puts a lit of other issues in play.

I don't think that A necessarily follows B. God knowing how I will use my agency doesn't mean I'm not using it.

[RobinFinderson]

The godly attributes of being all-powerful, all-knowing, and omnipresent are are nearly universally agreed upon by Christians, so it is interesting that a good number of people here don't seem to accept them.

[Jeff Lebowski]

The godly attributes of being all-powerful, all-knowing, and omnipresent are are nearly universally agreed upon by Christians, so it is interesting that a good number of people here don't seem to accept them.

You mean we aren't Christian? No way.