Gods Nature vs. Mans Free Will Essay -- Philosophy Religion Essays

Gods Nature vs. Mans Free WillThe reconciliation of Gods nature and Mans shrive will has long been a subject of debate for philosophers and theologians. Christianity rests upon certain ideas about the nature of God and the universe. The Bible speaks of God as eternal, all- write outing, and as the very author of reality. The concept of God as a benevolent, omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent entity is rooted in thousands of years of church tradition. This tradition is so ingrained in Western culture, that, when matchless mentions God, these ideas almost invariably come to mind. The idea of Mans free will is also a well-established tradition in Christianity. The very need for Christian buyback is based upon the choices made by Adam and Eve at the very beginning of history. There is an idea that Man either chooses to sin against God, or chooses to observe Him. This ability to choose between two options allows good and evil to exist as opposites on the spectrum of morality. Thi s in turn necessitates a need for an atonement surgical operation by which Man can be redeemed for the evils that are committed. Without this doctrine, Christianity is unnecessary. Redemption is not required for those who commit no wrong. The above ideas expect relatively straight when presented as independent beliefs. A great deal of confusion does arise, however, when the ideas are brought together as a system of beliefs. Some parts of Gods nature seem to disallow the possibility of free will. How can Gods knowledge of all actions - past, present, and future - allow any human to make a choice of his own willing? By its very nature, omniscience is infallible, therefore it seems that one is not free to choose anything other than that which God knows. Th... ...sions in order to be all-good, and He chose to allow us to choose. In conclusion, I suggest that there is a big difference between saying, God cant do X and be consistent, and, I dont know how God can do X and be consistent . As common sense suggests, ignorance of a solution does not take away from that solutions existence. Soli Deo gloria. Works Cited Augustine. comprehend precognition and Human Free Will. Philosophy of Religion An Anthology. 259-261. Mackie, John L. Evil and Omnipotence. Ibid. 186-193. Pike, Nelson. Gods Foreknowledge and Human Free Will Are Incompatible. Ibid. 261-271. Plantinga, Alvin. Gods Foreknowledge and Human Free Will Are Compatible. Ibid. 271-275. Plantinga, Alvin. The Free Will Defense. Ibid. 194-212. Pojman, Louis P., ed. Philosophy of Religion An Anthology. New York Wadsworth, 1998.