Hold onto your hat. With talking about predestination, faith, and prophecy. Things might get a little weird. We are starting to come up against some of the attributes of God. As in what God is, what is he like and what God can do, etc, etc.
Christian Theology Wiki Some attributes ascribed to God in Christian theology are:
- Aseity—That “God is so independent that he does not need us.”[27] It is based on Acts 17:25, where it says that God “is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything” (NIV). This is often related to God’s self-existence and his self-sufficiency.
- Eternity—That God exists beyond the temporal realm.
- Graciousness—That God extends His favor and gifts to human beings unconditionally as well as conditionally.
- Holiness—That God is separate from sin and incorruptible. Noting the refrain of “Holy, holy, holy” in Isaiah 6:3 and Revelation 4:8,
- Immanence—That although God is transcendent and holy, He is also accessible and can be dynamically experienced.
- Immutability—That God’s essential nature is unchangeable.
- Impassibility—That God does not experience emotion or suffering (a more controversial doctrine, disputed especially by open theism).
- Impeccability—That God is incapable of error (sin).
- Incorporeality—That God is without physical composition. A related concept is the spirituality of God, which is derived from Jesus‘ statement in John 4:24, “God is spirit.”
- Love—That God is care and compassion. 1 John 4:16 says “God is love.”
- Mission—That God is the supreme liberator. While the Mission of God is not traditionally included in this list, David Bosch has argued that “mission is not primarily an activity of the church, but an attribute of God.”[28]
- Omnibenevolence—That God is omnibenevolent. Omnibenevolence of God refers to him being “all good”.
- Omnipotence—That God is supremely or all-powerful.
- Omnipresence—That God is the supreme being, existing everywhere and at all times; the all-perceiving or all-conceiving foundation of reality.
- Omniscience—That God is supremely or all-knowing.
- Oneness—That God is without peer, also that every divine attribute is instantiated in its entirety (the qualitative infinity of God). See also Monotheism and Divine simplicity.
- Providence—That God watches over His creation with interest and dedication. While the Providence of God usually refers to his activity in the world, it also implies his care for the universe, and is thus an attribute. A distinction is usually made between “general providence” which refers to God’s continuous upholding the existence and natural order of the universe, and “special providence” which refers to God’s extraordinary intervention in the life of people.[29] See also Sovereignty.
- Righteousness—That God is the greatest or only measure of human conduct. The righteousness of God may refer to his holiness, to his justice, or to his saving activity through Christ.
- Transcendence—That God exists beyond the natural realm of physical laws and thus is not bound by them;[30] He is also wholly Other and incomprehensible apart from general or special self-revelation.
- Triune—The Christian God is understood (by trinitarian Christians) to be a “threeness” of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that is fully consistent with His “oneness”; a single infinite being who is both within and beyond nature. Because the persons of the Trinity represent a personal relation even on the level of God to Himself, He is personal both in His relation toward us and in His relation toward Himself.
- Veracity—That God is the Truth all human beings strive for; He is also impeccably honest. Titus 1:2 refers to “God, who does not lie.”
- Wisdom—That God fully comprehends human nature and the world, and will see His will accomplished in heaven and on earth. Romans 16:27 speaks about the “only wise God”.
You could consider the above a short list. As soon as some verse in the bible says something about God. It can be taken as an attribute/God is, Even if there are conflicting verses or doctrines to the contrary. Free will versus predestination would be one such example. Omniscience, as in God is all-knowing. Would encompass predestination and would be in conflict with the concept of free will. The idea is that God gives man a choice and you can reach a paradox in scripture pretty quickly. With an all-knowing God with divine foreknowledge.
Free will in theology Wiki is an important part of the debate on free will in general. Religions vary greatly in their response to the standard argument against free will and thus might appeal to any number of responses to the paradox of free will, the claim that omniscience and free will are incompatible.
The theological doctrine of divine foreknowledge is often alleged to be in conflict with free will, particularly in Calvinistic circles: if God knows exactly what will happen (right down to every choice a person makes), it would seem that the “freedom” of these choices is called into question.
Paradoxes and we are not talking paradoxes. We are talking paradoxes of paradoxes of paradoxes. Wheels within wheels within wheels. Omnipresence, God existing everywhere at once but you can find several conflicting verses. Implied locations and positions of God. Like, God sits on his throne but also verses implying God is everywhere at once.
1 Kings 19:11-13 KJV And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?
Faith does what faith does because we are blind because? Where was Elijah’s God to Elijah?
Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
The second verse is not read enough or understood enough in the context of the first. Hebrews 11 is worth the read.
Hebrews 11:1-40 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,18 Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called:19 Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions.34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Faith does what faith does so we can ignore what we want to ignore.
Psalm 2:8 ASV Ask of me, and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance, And the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.
God giving you the nations as an inheritance sounds like a good deal. I wonder if this verse is a test of the heart. It is not till you start thinking, hang on a second, the Levites got God as their inheritance. Suddenly, asking for the nations as an inheritance might not be such a good idea.
Faith does what faith does because we are overwhelmed with choice.
The Paradox Of Choice: Why More Is Less is a book written by American psychologistBarry Schwartz and first published in 2004 by Harper Perennial. In the book, Schwartz argues that eliminating consumer choices can greatly reduce anxiety for shoppers. The book analyses the behavior of different types of people (in particular, maximizers and satisficers). This book argues that the dramatic explosion in choice—from the mundane to the profound challenges of balancing career, family, and individual needs—has paradoxically become a problem instead of a solution and how our obsession with choice encourages us to seek that which makes us feel worse.
Why We Suffer: Schwartz integrates various psychological models for happiness showing how the problem of choice can be addressed by different strategies. What is important to note is that each of these strategies comes with its own bundle of psychological [3] complication. “Freedom of choice” leads people to feel powerless and frustrated, because choosing ‘one’ among many other options means giving up the rest of the opportunities. At the same time, since people can easily change and replace the choice, the absolute value of making a choice no longer exists.
Faith does what faith does because we did not make a choice.
Implied Consent Wiki: Implied consent is consent which is not expressly granted by a person, but rather implicitly granted by a person’s actions and the facts and circumstances of a particular situation (or in some cases, by a person’s silence or inaction). For example, if a person is unconscious as a result of injuries sustained during a traffic collision, medical treatment may be provided to that person, despite the unconscious person being unable to expressly grant consent for that treatment.
Medical treatment being provided to an unconscious person could be considered a form of predestination. Predestination or things that are ordained to happen (ordered officially). Looking again at some of God’s attributes. You might be able to see how it might cause God to treat us in a certain way.
Christian Theology Wiki Some attributes ascribed to God in Christian theology are:
- Graciousness—That God extends His favor and gifts to human beings unconditionally as well as conditionally.
- Veracity—That God is the Truth all human beings strive for; He is also impeccably honest. Titus 1:2 refers to “God, who does not lie.”
- Wisdom—That God fully comprehends human nature and the world, and will see His will accomplished in heaven and on earth. Romans 16:27 speaks about the “only wise God”.
How exactly do technically classify free will? With the human need of eating and sleeping. Along with the physical and emotional toll of something like the seven deadly sins.
Romans 6:16-17 WEB Don’t you know that when you present yourselves as servants and obey someone, you are the servants of whomever you obey; whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were bondservants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were delivered.
Faith does what faith does by faith, in faith, through faith so that we may believe God in a good report. In the hope. It may be credited as righteousness to us. God created and is in control of evil. Is an extremely heavy cross to bear. In the attributes of God in Christian theology they don’t tend to speak of the negatives in verses.
Isaiah 45:7 KJV I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.
God’s circular logic is truly a sight to behold in terms of predestination, slavery to sin, free will, the fall of man, and redemption. You can bend it to the left. You can bend it to the right. In faith, you can believe you have free will. Like the choice implied to believe in God. That it might be credited as righteousness. In terms of destiny and prophecy. It is inevitable.
James 2:23 WEB So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him as righteousness,”Genesis 15:6 and he was called the friend of God.
Predestination is one of God’s attributes. It is one of God’s attributes that is seldom talked about in that type of context. Predestination means that things are ordained or ordered to happen in a certain way. The sun rises each morning. In the first verse of the Bible, we get. In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the earth. The continuing order and separation.
The Wiki has a list of Old Testament prophecies with arguments for and against them being fulfilled by Jesus.
Old Testament messianic prophecies quoted in the New Testament
No view of the Messiah as based on the Old Testament predicted a Messiah who would suffer and die for the sins of all people. The story of Jesus’ death, therefore, involved a profound shift in meaning from the Old Testament tradition.
Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. (KJV)
1 Peter 2:8 interprets the stone mentioned as Christ, quoting Isaiah 28:16 along with Psalm 118:22 and Isaiah 8:14 which mention a stone of stumbling and a cornerstone.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.
Isaiah 53 is probably the most famous example claimed by Christians to be a messianic prophecy fulfilled by Jesus. It speaks of one known as the “suffering servant,” who suffers because of the sins of others. Old Testament messianic prophecies Wiki
We actually need to talk about something else regarding prophecy, predestination, and free will. Faith does what faith does by faith, in faith, through faith. Can the blind, lead the blind? Jesus is asking the question in Luke?
Luke 6:39-40 He spoke a parable to them. “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye? 42 Or how can you tell your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck of chaff that is in your eye,’ when you yourself don’t see the beam that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck of chaff that is in your brother’s eye.
If we are looking at verses above we have implied free will to first remove the beam from our own eye. Which goes against concepts of prophecy and predestination. If God is in total control. This leads me to consider my free will as the attitude I have to sin. Even though I might not be in control of action for that sin. Which would also lead to the attitude I have toward others for their sins.
Paul in Romans why do I do the things I hate to do? There are many philosophical arguments. To such questions.
Romans 7:24-25 What a wretched man I am! Who will deliver me out of the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! So then with the mind, I myself serve God’s law, but with the flesh, sin’s law.
In faith and by faith God help me navigate my own delusion.