Predestination and Free Will

[AmerSdlbrd]

Often have I heard that, "God gave us free will." Yet it is also common Christian theology to believe in Predestination, or that God is supreme over all (including time, matter, etc.) If God is fully capable to intervene with any scenario, how can we still be considered to have free will? If there is some omnipotent being fully aware of all my actions and fully capable of intervening at anytime (with or without my knowledge) is there even anything close to free will in anyones life whatsoever?

My answer is simply no. I want to get some of our theologians-in-residence's opinions and apologetics in regards to this matter.

[The Persnickety Platypus]

If God is fully capable to intervene with any scenario, how can we still be considered to have free will?

Indeed, God is capable of intervening, but does he? I see no reason to believe so. Lots of people try to relate current events and natural disasters to the workings of God, but the New Testament never documents Him as taking direct action in the affairs of humans. The Bible, upon being published, became the sole authority, and from then on it seems that the natural laws have been allowed to take their course free from any supernatural interference.

Now, more upon the subject of predestination. This doctrine teaches that God has foreordained all things, and supposedly has elected certain souls to eternal salvation. Personally I have never seen any evidence for this, although would encourage anyone to bring related scriptures to my attention.

[McCulloch]

The New Testament never documents Him as taking direct action in the affairs of humans.

So in the first few chapters of Acts, who is this Holy Spirit who is taking direct action in the affairs of humans?

[The Persnickety Platypus]

Well, yeah, the Holy Spirit goes without saying. But I was referring more to things such as the flood, plagues, wars, ect.


I would consider the Holy Spirit more of an indirect action. For the most part it seems to merely institute a change of mind; an epiphany, if you will.

[McCulloch]

Well, yeah, the Holy Spirit goes without saying. But I was referring more to things such as the flood, plagues, wars, ect.

I would consider the Holy Spirit more of an indirect action. For the most part it seems to merely institute a change of mind; an epiphany, if you will.

And I would consider miraculously providing someone with the ability to speak in languages one had never learned a direct not an indirect action. Wouldn't you?

[The Persnickety Platypus]

Perhaps.....





Ok, fine, you win.

[lifeisboring]

Often have I heard that, "God gave us free will." Yet it is also common Christian theology to believe in Predestination, or that God is supreme over all (including time, matter, etc.) If God is fully capable to intervene with any scenario, how can we still be considered to have free will? If there is some omnipotent being fully aware of all my actions and fully capable of intervening at anytime (with or without my knowledge) is there even anything close to free will in anyones life whatsoever?

My answer is simply no. I want to get some of our theologians-in-residence's opinions and apologetics in regards to this matter.

For example, let's say... religion. God gave us the free will of choosing to believe in him or not, but then threatens us by saying diaster will come if you believe in other gods besides him.