RobE
New member
Reply to Philetus
Reply to Philetus
Below is post 1587 Page 106 of this thread.
Why is it necessary fo God to even have foreknowledge?
He's the First Cause, of course.
Your actions are precipitated by other events, which are in turn precipitated by other events, etc, etc, etc......
Cause and Effect.
He(the creator) made you with the abilities to do or to do otherwise. He understands what causes create what effects. He therefore, according to the laws of logic, knows what effects those will have in a constant change from Alpha to Omega. Does He live 'outside of time' or is He just the creator who understands His creation completely? I'm not sure.
However, there are several question that occur to me regarding 'Open Theism'.
I'll take them one at a time.
1) Does open theism in any way make you the 'First Cause' of anything?
_____________________________
As you know "sufficient" grace only becomes "saving" grace once our will is aligned with God's will. In which case our will is no longer 'free'-----It is subjected to His; and part of His Divine Nature.
____________________
How does it frustrate the work of evangelism. Are we not called to love our enemies as well. Can God distinguish between the Wheat and the Weeds? Doesn't He give equally to both? Maybe we should do as St. Augustine says and act as if we're the Elect and become the Elect.
In other words, maybe His will is only thwarted if we end up in the lake of fire which is outside of His will.
I never heard this expression before. Does it have something to do with polecats, possums, or the like? Really?
Rob Mauldin
Reply to Philetus
Philetus said:Why is meticulous foreknowledge absolutely essential to the divine nature? I have answered that only in the view of predestination is it essential.
Below is post 1587 Page 106 of this thread.
Philetus said:Rob,
You need to stop taking things out of context and shooting from the hip if you want to have a serious discussion.
That's what this thread is becoming. Your honest concerns are welcome. Potshots don't help. Take your position to its lovical end for me. In your view, why is it necessary for God to even have forknowledge ?
Philetus
Why is it necessary fo God to even have foreknowledge?
He's the First Cause, of course.
Your actions are precipitated by other events, which are in turn precipitated by other events, etc, etc, etc......
Cause and Effect.
He(the creator) made you with the abilities to do or to do otherwise. He understands what causes create what effects. He therefore, according to the laws of logic, knows what effects those will have in a constant change from Alpha to Omega. Does He live 'outside of time' or is He just the creator who understands His creation completely? I'm not sure.
However, there are several question that occur to me regarding 'Open Theism'.
I'll take them one at a time.
1) Does open theism in any way make you the 'First Cause' of anything?
_____________________________
Philetus said:What do you make of Peter’s phrase “you may participate in the divine nature”?
As you know "sufficient" grace only becomes "saving" grace once our will is aligned with God's will. In which case our will is no longer 'free'-----It is subjected to His; and part of His Divine Nature.
____________________
Philetus said:Once the future is open it is not essential and in no way contributes to the plan of God to save ‘whosoever will’. Further, meticulous foreknowledge only frustrates the work of evangelism, baffles the heart and mind of those struggling to escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires and hinders the work of the Holy Spirit and our participation in the divine nature.
How does it frustrate the work of evangelism. Are we not called to love our enemies as well. Can God distinguish between the Wheat and the Weeds? Doesn't He give equally to both? Maybe we should do as St. Augustine says and act as if we're the Elect and become the Elect.
In other words, maybe His will is only thwarted if we end up in the lake of fire which is outside of His will.
Philetus said:That’s pretty bold! And if you don’t jump all over that one with both lips I’ll be disappointed.
I never heard this expression before. Does it have something to do with polecats, possums, or the like? Really?
Rob Mauldin