Omniscience versus Free Will

Comments 0 | February 15th, 2010 | Posted in Bible, Religion, Spiritual Warfare, Theology

written by Clark Goble

(Note: This post originally appeared on the now defunct centurybound.com blog on January 15, 2006. It appears here with some slight editing by the author.)

Have you ever felt like you were in no control of your life? Working nights and attending school during the day has sort of made me feel this way. My days are set into motion and I have no ability to make them slow down. If you would, picture being on a roller coaster without a seat belt; this should explain why my blog entries have become sparse as of late. This is my last quarter in school though so I can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel. As I told a friend earlier this week – I can do anything for three months! (Edit: Of course now I’m back in school, so the tunnel is dark again!)

In the meantime, I will try to write an entry at least every Sunday. It seems Sunday is the only day of the week that I get a little bit of time to just chill out. So here is the first of my regular Sunday morning posts … enjoy!

Omniscience versus Predestination

I had an interesting conversation with some coworkers earlier this week. One friend made the comment that God knows who is going to Heaven or hell. Another friend took issue with that statement and argued that if God had such knowledge, it would equate to predestination and that any choices we made in life would be pointless. This is an interesting topic that has been discussed and examined by far greater minds than mine, but I will give it a shot anyway.

Let me start by summarizing the two arguments:

Argument 1: God is omniscient. He knows everything; including which of us will go to Heaven and which will go to hell.

Argument 2: God couldn’t possibly know who was going to Heaven and hell because this would violate our free will and force us to live a predestined life.

Compelling arguments could be made for both views. However, if we look to the Bible for an answer to this debate, we will find that scripture definitely supports the notion of an omniscient God.

Please consider the following Scriptures:

Psalm 145:4-5 “He (God) determines the numbers of the stars and calls them each by name. Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.” (NIV – emphasis mine)

Acts 15:18 “That [His work] have been known for ages [by the Lord]” – (NIV – emphasis mine)

Now, if we believe the Bible is correct and that God’s knowledge has no limit (omniscience), we must agree that He knows which of us will go to Heaven and which will go to Hell. What we must decide is if God’s knowledge of our ultimate destination violates our own free will. Before we consider this; however, we must define what we mean by free will. I submit that “free” will equates to the “freedom” to make our own decisions. Dictionary.com defines the word freedom as the condition of being free from restraints and liberty of a person from slavery and oppression.

With that definition of freedom in mind, I would suggest that since the fall of man (in the Garden of Eden) all of mankind has been a slave to sin. Please consider the following scripture:

Galatians 4:3 “So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world.” (NIV)

Galatians 4:8 “Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.” (NIV)

2 Timothy 22-26 “22Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (NIV – emphasis mine)

Here’s my point. God has created us all to have free will (one that is free from the bondage of sin); however, since the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, we are all slaves to sin. Before we know and accept Christ we are living a life of bondage.  Any appearance of free will outside of Christ is simply an illusion. Therefore, an omniscient God will know whether we will eventually accept Christ as our Savior, but this doesn’t violate our free will because we don’t actually have free will outside of Christ. God can’t violate free will that we don’t actually have!

I realize this is a little deep and may even offend those who have rejected Christ, but it should offer some hope to those who are considering Christ for the first time.

Let me repeat, it isn’t God’s omniscience that robs us of free will. It is the enemy. We can only escape bondage and exercise free will in our life once we have escaped the power of Satan and stepped into the light.

Chew on that for awhile.

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The Lesson of Babel

Comments 3 | February 12th, 2010 | Posted in Bible, Prayer, Worship

written by Todd French

For most of my life I’ve been a fanatical devotee of technology.  I believed there was no problem that a well-crafted technological solution couldn’t obviate.  I believed in this so fervently that it extended into my faith.  I believed that technology could reach the teeming masses for Christ.

And it has flourished.  TV ministries have exploded in size, scope, prevalence, and popularity.  There is a problem though.  To date, they have failed in what I see as the primary purpose of the medium.  The current and historical extrapolations of TV ministries have amassed prominence and power to the head of the ministry, but have done little to advance the cause of Christ.  These ministries typically reach the already reached and as such end up in a preaching to the choir mode.

They end up taking the kingdom where it already is and as such the best if can do is function as an adjunct to what is already going on.  The down side to these ministries relates to the numerous character flaws of the people who’ve lead them.  When the medium builds up someone it also magnifies their failures as well.  From Jimmy Swaggart to Jim Baker and beyond the character failures of these few have harmed the cause of Christ greatly.  These failures have hardened the hearts of those these ministries should have focused on reaching in the first place.

The failures of this medium didn’t deter me from my belief on this subject.  Rather, I believed it was implementation and the people behind it that were responsible for the failure.  I still ardently believed in the efficacy of technology to advance the gospel.  I simply transferred my preferred implementation of technology as the vehicle.

Next, I believed that radio could serve as the next vehicle.  Radio as a technology was mature.  It was cheap to obtain and it was everywhere.  So much so, that it is hard to find a place anywhere on the planet that isn’t served by radio in some form.  However it suffered from the same weaknesses as TV.  It elevated men with serious character defects and their fall was just as disastrous with the same down side as TV.

After two colossal candidate failures, I should have been deterred from continuing this quest, but I wasn’t.  The next candidate to enter the fray was the internet.  In this day and age, the connection divide at least in industrialized nations has largely been erased.  The medium erases transmissional barriers.  It allows for instant dissemination to anyone with a connection to it.

Much to my chagrin, it has failed also.  In part, because the developing world largely has more pressing needs than surfing the web.  In part, this is true because the developed world is more interest in using the internet as a porn delivery system.  And in part it’s true, because the character of those attempting to lead such movements always comes up short.

Recently, I was forced to accept that technology can’t ever revolutionize the way the gospel reaches the world.  Technology is about an engineered solution that transmits the exact message of the sender.  It is about the movement of ones and zeroes from point A to point B.  The gospel is about sharing the heart of God with the world.

It’s spiritual. It’s relational. It’s intimate.  It’s done best in the context of one life touching another as directed by the divine.  No implementation of a protocol can replicate that, regardless of how well intentioned or engineered.

Simply put, I had to accept that my overall premise was flawed.  Any technological solution will only serve as an adjunct to what already exists.  What I should have learned are the lessons the Bible teaches from the Tower of Babel narrative found in Genesis.  The story tells of the desire to build a great tower that reaches the heavens.  And so a united humanity decides to undertake this mission.  God then steps in and confuses their language, thus preventing its completion.

The text points out that God was concerned that a single unified humanity was a threat, because nothing would be impossible for them.  I have often been troubled by this narrative.  It doesn’t fit the mold we have for God.  God steps in to deny them the completion of their tower.  It seems petty of God.  It seems capricious.  It’s not logical for God to intervene in this matter in this fashion.

My problems with the narrative were resolved when I realized a few simple things.  The builders of the tower were operating in defiance of God’s command to scatter across the globe, multiply, and subdue the earth.  Their building of the tower was to avoid being scattered and to amass a name for themselves.  They attempted to use their technology to thwart God’s will.  God responded by insisting on his will and denying them the power of their technology by creating communication barriers.

God wasn’t concerned with just the tower.  He was concerned with what a united people might be capable of next.  If they could build a technological marvel in defiance of God’s desire for them to the contrary, then what else was possible for these humans?  What need would these people have for God?

The answer is simple.  They wouldn’t need God at all.  They could place themselves on God’s throne and do as they pleased.  Subsequently, God moved to prevent this, and every time since, when man has developed his dependence on a better mouse trap for him that cuts his dependence on the divine.  God has moved in to show his creation how little he really knows and understands.

How does this impact technology and God you ask?  Is God really calling us to a Luddite existence?  Should we all become Amish?  In a word, no.  What God is seeking of us in this venue is to seek him first.  We should set aside technology and live within the context in which we are planted.  Technology shouldn’t seek to revolutionize how the gospel is disseminated.  Rather it should be an adjunct to its flow.  It should be subservient to the spirit of God.

In other words, I learned that technology will always fail when it isn’t the servant in the relationship or when it is implemented by those seeking anything other than God’s will for this lives and those they are in relationship with.  The flow should be from God to his servants and from his servants to those God deemed it necessary to be reached.  In this flow God is sovereign and we serve him and any technology we use serves that end.  Anything else perverts this flow and makes a mockery of the proper process.

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Book Review: Fresh Start by Doug Fields

Comments 0 | February 9th, 2010 | Posted in Bible, Book Reviews, Religion, Spiritual Warfare, Theology

written by Clark Goble

Doug Fields is concerned with those people who feel “stuck” in harmful patterns of sin, pain, anger and other harmful states. Early in the book Fields defines sanctification as “the act or state of being purified and freed from sin” and stresses throughout that the power in this process comes from God while the Christian’s responsibility is cooperation. Fields then applies this concept to a variety of scenarios.  

While I thought the subject matter of this book was right on target, I had some problems with the author’s writing style. Fields’ sense of humor doesn’t seem to translate well into writing. Every other sentence seems to contain a forced joke that I caused me to wonder just how serious he was taking the book. This book needed less joking and a more serious tone. I also feel that Fields’ only managed to skim the surface of his subject matter. For instance, in his chapter on forgiveness Fields recommends the reader write down everyone that has hurt him along with what they’ve done and then write down that they are “paid in full.” The author then offers suggestions on how to recognize when they have truly forgiven their offenders. It seemed so lightly approached that I began to wonder if Fields really recognized how hard it was for someone stuck in the grip of resentment and bitterness.

Fresh Start does include a nice small group’s guide and I would recommend it to a small group that wants a primer on sanctification. Despite my criticism of this book I look forward to reading more from Fields in the future.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me as part of Thomas Nelson’s BookSneeze Program.

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Book Review: John (Life Application Bible Studies)

Comments 0 | February 3rd, 2010 | Posted in Bible, Book Reviews, Religion, Theology

written by Clark Goble

Cover: John

Title: John (Life Application Bible Studies)
Publisher: Tyndale House, December 2008

This slim study guide features the complete text and study notes from the New Living Translation of the Book of John. I was pleasantly surprised when I first opened the book and realized what a wealth of information it contained. Since John’s Gospel was the first I read after becoming a Christian it has always held a special place in my heart. It has also always been set apart from the “Synoptic Gospels” and can present a variety of challenges in study. The authors of this Bible study did a great job presenting the proper balance of Scripture, interpretation and application. Each of the thirteen chapters in this study each has sections that encourage the reader to reflect on the passage and respond with action. I found this to be the most valuable aspect of the guide considering Bible study is only useful if applied to the student’s life.

Although I didn’t get the opportunity to use this book in a small group setting, I believe it would be of great use for a group of eight to ten people who are looking for the chance to dive into the Gospel of John.

It should be noted that this study guide is a reprint of the guide that can be found in the Life Application Bible (New Living Translation) and is not meant to supplement that text in anyway. After reviewing this guide; however, I am now considering up Life Application Bible to add to my library.

Note: This review was completed as part of the Tyndale Blog Network and a complimentary copy of the guide was provided to me for review. 

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My Wife’s Cancer Scare

Comments 4 | February 3rd, 2010 | Posted in Bible, Prayer, Religion, Spiritual Warfare

written by Clark Goble

Have you ever watched someone face devastating news such as cancer with a confidence and peace that astounds you? Recently, I have been following the battles of two well-known Christains via the internet; Michael Spencer and Matt Chandler. Both have handled their situations with a boldness that can only come from God. I have found myself wondering on more than one occasion how they can provide such a good Christian example in the midst of such terrible news. Recently, I was blessed to witness an example of such Christianity up close when my wife, Stefanie, had her own cancer scare.

Stefanie had some concerns about one of her breasts and made an appointment with her OBGYN who scheduled some tests. We weren’t overly concerned because by all indications we had nothing to worry about. In one day, however, what was once a slim chance of cancer became a 50/50 chance and a biopsy was scheduled. Every part of me wanted to break and panic and I was amazed at how my wife responded to the news! She was as calm as I have ever seen her. Stefanie responded with such a calm that could only have come from outside herself.

When I asked her how she handled everything with such peace she told me she could feel Christ’s presence with her during the tests. She knew that her family and friends were praying for her and leaned on those prayers and Christ. Her example was inspiring to me and I wanted to share some of the things I witnessed to help the rest of us follow her lead.

First, Stefanie was committed to her relationship with Christ long before she was confronted with bad news. On a daily basis my wife communicates with her Lord. She confesses her sin and delights in His forgiveness and grace as much, if not more, than anyone I have ever met. Because of this ongoing relationship with God she was quickly able to lean on Him for support.

Secondly, Stefanie has an amazing ability to quote Scripture. Her recall when it comes to God’s Word has alway amazed me and I noticed her drawing on Bible verses often when she needed reminded of God’s Word. This seemed to comfort her and remind her that God was with her at all times. It seems that most of the tough questions we tend to ask in the midst of trials have already been answered through Scriptures … it helped Stefanie to know the answers before she found herself asking the questions. 

My wife also seemed to put the needs of everyone around her ahead of her own. In a moment where no one would have blamed her for focusing entirely on her self,   she was intent on keeping everyone else calm. Not only was she continually reassuring her family (myself included), she also made it her mission to witness a Christ-like example for those medical workers she came in contact with.

Finally, and this is perhaps the key ingredient in all of this … we requested prayer from anyone who would listen. There were several churches, friends, and family members praying for Stefanie’s condition. It was amazing how many people seemed to crawl out of the woodwork to pray for my wife. It was a blessing to me, and I am sure to Stefanie, to see how many people genuinely cared for her. I learned through this experience to never be afraid to request prayer … it works!

In short, Stefanie’s response to her cancer scare was inspirational and I was blessed to witness it up close. Thankfully, the results are in and my wife does not have cancer. After the news, Stefanie rededicated herself to a relationship with God that allowed her to respond in the way that she did. I thank the Lord for her example and the witness she provided for our chidren and friends. It was quite the blessing!

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