I’m on an island among Christians, but I think you make a good point. That’s why I believe God is omniscient, but in that He knows all POSSIBLE future outcomes. God tried to steer humanity towards Him with certain methods, the flood, the exodus, but people continue to turn. I believe God saw these things as ways to help people turn towards Him, and it was possible. God foresaw a path where humans would come to repentance for those things, but it didn’t happen. In the end God had to come down Himself to solve the problem, which was always His ace in the hole, but He would have preferred not to do it that way. Does that make sense? God is never surprised by anything, and will always make it work, but He would have rather had humanity turn earlier, but since we have free will we continually choose ourselves over others. Think about it like a web of possibilities, God knows the infinite possibilities, nothing surprises Him, and He reacts to humans perfectly. But us humans with free will keep on screwing up so in the end He said ‘I’ve given you enough shots at it, I’ll do it myself’, and brings Jesus.
You sure are, island-wise, at least among modern Evangelicals/Fundamentalists. I was just talking about this to someone else on here last week. It's an interesting conversation to have. It sounds like you might subscribe to open theism:
https://greatawakening.win/p/17siA13gBi/x/c/4ZA1LBkJQjw
I’m somewhat an open theist, but God will make sure to make all predictions about the future come to pass, no matter our choices. He made sure Jesus would come, and He will make sure Revelation happens as foretold. God has predetermined certain events, but chooses to let us make decisions, then reacts.
Why would God try different things? Hes infallible and omniscient, he would know the outcome ahead of time.
I was being sarcastic. God would certainly know the outcome, which is why the story makes no sense.
I’m on an island among Christians, but I think you make a good point. That’s why I believe God is omniscient, but in that He knows all POSSIBLE future outcomes. God tried to steer humanity towards Him with certain methods, the flood, the exodus, but people continue to turn. I believe God saw these things as ways to help people turn towards Him, and it was possible. God foresaw a path where humans would come to repentance for those things, but it didn’t happen. In the end God had to come down Himself to solve the problem, which was always His ace in the hole, but He would have preferred not to do it that way. Does that make sense? God is never surprised by anything, and will always make it work, but He would have rather had humanity turn earlier, but since we have free will we continually choose ourselves over others. Think about it like a web of possibilities, God knows the infinite possibilities, nothing surprises Him, and He reacts to humans perfectly. But us humans with free will keep on screwing up so in the end He said ‘I’ve given you enough shots at it, I’ll do it myself’, and brings Jesus.
You sure are, island-wise, at least among modern Evangelicals/Fundamentalists. I was just talking about this to someone else on here last week. It's an interesting conversation to have. It sounds like you might subscribe to open theism: https://greatawakening.win/p/17siA13gBi/x/c/4ZA1LBkJQjw
Also read this for more explanation, I think Heiser aligns with my beliefs here: https://drmsh.com/predestination-and-free-will-a-summary-of-the-naked-bibles-position/
I’m somewhat an open theist, but God will make sure to make all predictions about the future come to pass, no matter our choices. He made sure Jesus would come, and He will make sure Revelation happens as foretold. God has predetermined certain events, but chooses to let us make decisions, then reacts.