Robots and Will Worshipers

[Rudometkin]

Where believers of free will are often accused of being "will worshipers" because they argue that they have power to think on their own apart from God, believers of determinism are often accused of believing that men are just "robots" because they argue that God controls everything the man does. These are common terms within this Christian controversy.

Discuss support and implications of the two opposing doctrines regarding 'Free Will' and 'Determinism' below.

Free Will: Man has the power to think on his own apart from God.

Determinism: God controls all things.

 

[Rudometkin]

If man can make choices apart from God, then is God not the Creator of all things?

 

[marks]

Discuss support and implications of the two opposing doctrines regarding 'Free Will' and 'Determinism' below.

Free Will: Man has the power to think on his own apart from God.

Determinism: God controls all things.

What are your thoughts on this?

Much love!

 

[Triumph1300]

God gave man a a free will.
You can do as you like.

 

[Rudometkin]

What are your thoughts on this?

Much love!

Thank you Marks.

I think it's a solid foundation for discussion. The definitions I chose might cause controversy later on, but they are fitting for my intentions.

What do you think about it?

Are you specifically inquiring about my position on those doctrines?

 

[marks]

Are you specifically inquiring about my position on those doctrines?

Yes, that's right!

I think that God has determined that man has a certain amount of choice.

Much love!

 

[Prayer Warrior]

Discuss support and implications of the two opposing doctrines regarding 'Free Will' and 'Determinism' below.

Free Will: Man has the power to think on his own apart from God.

Determinism: God controls all things.

I don't think it's either/or. God made man with a will to choose between obeying Him or not, but God is also sovereign. This doesn't mean that God controls everything man does, but that God's ultimate plans will be accomplished--come hell or high water. :)

 

[Rudometkin]

Yes, that's right!

I think that God has determined that man has a certain amount of choice.

Much love!

- God has determined that He would not determine some of man's thoughts.

Is this an accurate summary of your position?

I think with reverence that God controls everything.

 

[marks]

- God has determined that He would not determine some of man's thoughts.

Is this an accurate summary of your position?

I think with reverence that God controls everything.

Yes, I think that is a fair restatement.

Is your thinking that God contols our thoughts?

Much love!

 

[Rudometkin]

Is your thinking that God contols our thoughts?

Much love!

Marks, did you notice my question?

Perhaps for the sake of a cogent dialog carefully addressing one question before asking another is better than skipping.

 

[marks]

Marks, did you notice my question?

Perhaps for the sake of a cogent dialog carefully addressing one question before asking another is better than skipping.

Whoops! Something happened, I didn't catch it . . . editting . . .

Much love!

 

[marks]

Marks, did you notice my question?

Perhaps for the sake of a cogent dialog carefully addressing one question before asking another is better than skipping.

Sorry!

Yes, I agree, to keep things in order, and complete.

Much love!

 

[Rudometkin]

I don't think it's either/or. God made man with a will to choose between obeying Him or not, but God is also sovereign. This doesn't mean that God controls everything man does, but that God's ultimate plans will be accomplished--come hell or high water. :)

Thanks for contributing Prayer Warrior.

If neither is true, then in what sense can man make such a choice? and how can he do it if he has no power in himself to think?

 

[Prayer Warrior]

Thanks for contributing Prayer Warrior.

If neither is true, then in what sense can man make such a choice? and how can he do it if he has no power in himself to think?

Wow! How polite. What a nice surprise. :)

Actually, I wasn’t saying that neither is true. I was saying that both are true. It’s a dichotomy (seeming contradiction).

Edit: I'm adding this. I just wanted to clarify that this is what I'm saying: God made man with a will to choose between obeying Him or not, but God is also sovereign. This doesn't mean that God controls everything that man does or thinks. IOW, God doesn't cause man to think or act in evil ways. But God's ultimate plans will be accomplished even though man has free will.

 

[Rudometkin]

Yes, I think that is a fair restatement.

Is your thinking that God contols our thoughts?

Much love!

Yes.

Do you think that God gave man power that does not depend on God, so that man can use it to think for himself?

 

[Rudometkin]

Whoops! Something happened, I didn't catch it . . . editting . . .

Much love!

Thanks, I see your edit. Your answer brought much appreciated clarity.

 

[Rudometkin]

Wow! How polite. What a nice surprise. :)

Actually, I wasn’t saying that neither is true. I was saying that both are true. It’s a dichotomy (seeming contradiction).

Now I see it in your original message.

You believe that God controls man's will in choosing to obey Him or not.

Is that correct?

 

[Hidden In Him]

Actually, I wasn’t saying that neither is true. I was saying that both are true. It’s a dichotomy

Sister, this position makes you both a will worshipper AND a robot. You're a will-worshipping robot.

I don't know if I could face God like that.

 

[Hidden In Him]

The definitions I chose might cause controversy later on, but they are fitting for my intentions.

I think there's only so far I could go in pleasing God if I were a robot.

I can only imagine the warmth He would feel at having me by His side in eternity:

 

[kcnalp]

God's Word, the Bible has foretold many things that are certain to happen. Can man stop any of them?