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Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 516
| Posted 6/28/2001 4:29 PM (GMT -6) |   | Message
MetroIceberg
03/10/01 1:02 AM
The need for God's specific foreknowledge.
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Here is a question that has often plagued me about some of the more conservative views on God's foreknowledge: In these views, what is the need of God having specific knowledge? It seems to me that, in the Calvinist view, and others like it, that God MUST know the specific future, or outcome, in order to be truly omniscient. I guess that a better question is: Can God know, or not know, other than the specific ends of individual paths? Another question that begs itself from the above question is: Is it impossible for God to limit, or, conversly, expand His own definition of foreknowledge? Is it possible that we, having been created, "in His image," since He has the power of self-determination, have the very same power of self-determination, though on a much smaller scale? How far does our being created in His image go? I believe that God does not look like us physically, though I'm definately prepared to accept the contrary. Have we been created exactly like Him, "only one-eighth His size?" Are we similar to Him in eveery way, except for the scope and magnitude of the power He has given us.
In Gen 1:2, the Hebrew word, ruach, is translated "the Spirit of God." We again see this Hebrew word later, in Gen. 2:7, where it is translated "the breath of life." So, here is another question: Did God actually breath His own Spirit into us, thus giving us life, and a portion of Himself, just as He removed the rib of Adam, a part of him, to create the woman, Eve? Just as men and women are really very different upon first glance, so are God and Man. However, we are later told that in the Kingdom of God, there is neither male, nor female. In the sight of God, He sees only the spirit which abides in all men.
Now, I'm not saying that God and men are equals, heaven forbid! I'd have to slap myself for insinuating such! I am saying, however, that at the very core, the spirit is the same, though different in scope and substance. I know I'm walking a fine line with this. Man is nowhere equal with the Father, or the Son, or even the Spirit. Just that we should be able to look at ourselves, when we are untainted by the flesh, and look at the face of God.
I can't wait to read the postings on this! Just remember, I really don't mean this as I KNOW it sounds. I just hoping that some of you can get at what I really mean.
Waiting in fear.
Iceberg
Posted Originally From: Christus Victor Ministries
Jfarley
03/15/01 11:11 PM
RE: The need for God's specific foreknowledge.
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I am not sure if I am understanding you exactly, because I am not sure what this has to do with foreknowledge, but I think that the question of, "Have we been created exactly like Him, "only one-eighth His size?" is one that we can tackle. I think (however I am not sure) that the greatest difference between men and animals is that we are held accountable morally. When we act immoral, we are said to be "acting like animals" so te question is, is it our moral character that is the image of God? We also were originally made to rule over the creation, That might shed some light on the question, because ruling can be seen either as a one of our moral characteristics or one of the ways in which we rule over God. To tell you the truth, that is a very interesting question, although, I am still not sure if it has anything to do with foreknowledge.
Posted Originally From: Christus Victor Ministries
MetroIceberg
03/16/01 12:15 AM
RE: RE: The need for God's specific foreknowledge.
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Sorry, all of that was really a side thought. What it has to do with foreknowledge, though, is that it is my firm belief that God, in His infinite love, gave up His foreknowledge in order to give us free will. My reasoning is that a God who has knowledge of everything is very easily impersonal, since none of what goes on needs His personal touch. He has no stake in anything, and therefore, He just let's everything run its own course, knowing that the outcome is already secure in hand.
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