My issues with God: Is he Complete or Infinite

Started by alienhand, April 22, 2019, 11:16:59 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

walkstall

Quote from: alienhand on April 24, 2019, 08:01:37 AM
But, if one has a sinful nature (as all men since all come up short) how exactly do we have the free will to choose God at all?  It's like telling a mentally ill person not to be mentally ill.   How can one choose salvation if one is in a sinful state?


It's like finding a job, one works at it everyday.  No one is going to do it for you.
A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation.- James Freeman Clarke

Always remember "Feelings Aren't Facts."

alienhand

#16
Quote from: walkstall on April 24, 2019, 08:11:00 AM

It's like finding a job, one works at it everyday.  No one is going to do it for you.

No sir!  No, it is not!  One can't choose righteousness if one has a sinful nature.  It's like a cat working to be a dog.  Not possible!  Solar has been right all along.  The answers to the questions I ask aren't meant for me to know.  It is b/c of my imperfect and sinful state that is the root of my issues.  I can't choose salvation b/c of my sinful nature only God can give it to me as part of his chosen elect.  It is God who chooses me b/c he predestines me for salvation.  I don't choose him.

https://www.interfaith.org/community/threads/11605/

http://www.swordwalk.com/17-verses-that-support-predestination-election/

walkstall

Quote from: alienhand on April 24, 2019, 08:26:07 AM
No sir!  No, it is not!  One can't choose righteousness if one has a sinful nature.  It's like a cat working to be a dog.  Not possible!  Solar has been right all along.  The answers to the questions I ask aren't meant for me to know.  It is b/c of my imperfect and sinful state that is the root of my issues.  I can't choose salvation b/c of my sinful nature only God can give it to me as part of his chosen elect.  It is God who chooses me b/c he predestines me for salvation.  I don't choose him.

https://www.interfaith.org/community/threads/11605/

http://www.swordwalk.com/17-verses-that-support-predestination-election/

That your problem not Gods.  God always has open arms. 
A politician thinks of the next election. A statesman, of the next generation.- James Freeman Clarke

Always remember "Feelings Aren't Facts."

Solar

Quote from: alienhand on April 24, 2019, 08:26:07 AM
  I don't choose him.


Why? And Why Not?

If you reject God like most libs. You are rejecting the very Freedom the Constitution affords you. Keep in mind, Gods law of Nature, which is the basis of our Freedoms, if you reject God, what or who will protect our Freedoms?
Remember, the govt does not protect said Freedoms, these Freedoms were granted to you by God.
Official Trump Cult Member

#WWG1WGA

Q PATRIOT!!!

alienhand

Quote from: Solar on April 24, 2019, 09:34:49 AM
Why? And Why Not?

If you reject God like most libs. You are rejecting the very Freedom the Constitution affords you. Keep in mind, Gods law of Nature, which is the basis of our Freedoms, if you reject God, what or who will protect our Freedoms?
Remember, the govt does not protect said Freedoms, these Freedoms were granted to you by God.

When Walkstall said "You should be worried about Gods issues with you" it was like a light bulb that clicked that gave me some answers to my questions.  The problem is free will being bounded to sin.  If our free will is bounded in sin then how do we really have the free will to really choose him?  It is our sinful nature that we all, except for his elect, rebel and reject him which is why libs reject him.  If you were able to truthfully accept him as in Godly and righteous acceptance then he already chose you as his elect.  He chose you Solar and Walkstall.  You two never chose him.

Truth is, maybe I don't understand and I have so many questions is b/c he didn't choose me as part of his elect.  If my own free will is bound to sin and I'm not of his elect then how can I really choose.  It is through his grace we're saved not works. 

supsalemgr

Quote from: alienhand on April 24, 2019, 10:52:52 AM
When Walkstall said "You should be worried about Gods issues with you" it was like a light bulb that clicked that gave me some answers to my questions.  The problem is free will being bounded to sin.  If our free will is bounded in sin then how do we really have the free will to really choose him?  It is our sinful nature that we all, except for his elect, rebel and reject him which is why libs reject him.  If you were able to truthfully accept him as in Godly and righteous acceptance then he already chose you as his elect.  He chose you Solar and Walkstall.  You two never chose him.

Truth is, maybe I don't understand and I have so many questions is b/c he didn't choose me as part of his elect.  If my own free will is bound to sin and I'm not of his elect then how can I really choose.  It is through his grace we're saved not works.

"It is through his grace we're saved not works."

You are getting close. God gave us free will knowing well we will stray from his will. Thus he provided us salvation. God does not expect us to be perfect. (Here is where it gets a little fuzzy) He does expect us to reject Satan and strive not to stray. I struggled with this until one day I heard Billy Graham say he sinned every day. That turned the lights on for me. Dr. Graham has been an inspiration to me and I was awakened. To know a man of his faith was a daily sinner opened my eyes.

Here is the bottom line. We have been forgiven for our sins, but we do not have a license to sin. That thought can be confusing and I believe only resolved when one establishes a personal relationship with God.
"If you can't run with the big dawgs, stay on the porch!"

Solar

Quote from: alienhand on April 24, 2019, 10:52:52 AM
When Walkstall said "You should be worried about Gods issues with you" it was like a light bulb that clicked that gave me some answers to my questions.  The problem is free will being bounded to sin.  If our free will is bounded in sin then how do we really have the free will to really choose him?  It is our sinful nature that we all, except for his elect, rebel and reject him which is why libs reject him.  If you were able to truthfully accept him as in Godly and righteous acceptance then he already chose you as his elect.  He chose you Solar and Walkstall.  You two never chose him.

Truth is, maybe I don't understand and I have so many questions is b/c he didn't choose me as part of his elect.  If my own free will is bound to sin and I'm not of his elect then how can I really choose.  It is through his grace we're saved not works.
Remember when I said we we're all placed here as blank slates? You are given free will to choose your own path. Choose sin, or choose Righteousness, the choice is yours.
But I guarantee you, you will be miserable if you don't choose right.
Official Trump Cult Member

#WWG1WGA

Q PATRIOT!!!

alienhand

I was thinking about this from the other thread. 

Solar, I think I know and understand the axiom of where conservative mode of thought and philosophy.  I think the underlying assumption is free will and choice.  With that, the underlying assumption that everyone has free will that is absolute and everyone has this free will equal in spades to each other. 

I find this idea flawed.  One's choices that one can choose from can be diminished for others.

Example:  This man's personality changed because of a rod through his head. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phineas_Gage

How do you explain this man if we always have a choice in all that we do?   If one has diminished capacity then can one choose correctly in everything that is presented? 

If one has diminished capacity to one's sinful nature then how can one choose righteousness? 

alienhand

#23
Let's say one is in church.  The service is going and one of the things the Pastor does is calls people up to accept Jesus as his lord and savior.  The person can choose to make the movements to go up there and utter the things he is told to utter.   But, what is the motivation for one to go up there?   Is the motivation for Godly and spiritual reasons or is the reason more selfish in nature as in wanting to avoid the punishment of hell. 

If the person has a sinful nature the motivation to go up won't be for Godly reasons but for selfish reasons as in avoiding hell.  Can one choose to have the right and Godly motivations to be saved?   If one chooses to repent why is he repenting?  What is the motivation behind his repentance.  If motivation is for selfish and ungodly reasons then how is it real repentance? 

That's the problem I have with the concept of free will and the ability to choose righteousness and repentance. 

When I went to church a long time ago, one of my pastor's said to the congregation to meditate on all things God.  I did and I analyzed everything I thought I understood including the concept of free will.  It got me thinking what was my motivation for going up to the pulpit to accept Jesus as my lord and savior?  Why did I do this?  Did I do it b/c of Godly reasons or b/c of selfish reasons like avoiding hell and the fear of hell? 

This is another issue I have with God.  How can I accept Jesus if my very nature is fallen and in a state of sin?  Did I deceive myself and those around me?

And, the more I did try to read the Bible and listened to others the less it all made sense to me.

T Hunt

Quote from: alienhand on April 23, 2019, 01:31:58 AM
Agreed!  The brain does do cognitive distortions.  No doubt about that! 

Here are some verses. 

1 Kgs 4:29

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment; the breadth of his understanding was as infinite as the sand on the seashore.

Job 11:7
Can you find out the deep things of God, or can you by searching find out the limits of the Almighty [explore His depths, ascend to His heights, extend to His breadths, and comprehend His infinite perfection]?

Psa 139:6
Your [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high above me, I cannot reach it.

Psa 147:5
Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

I got some of these verses from here.

https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/words/Infinite

Where do I get the idea knowledge is infinite?

B/c for God to have infinite knowledge which is what some of these verses seem to say unless again I'm not understanding them then logically infinite knowledge exists.

Think about it like this.  If I have jelly beans in a jar then a.  something called jelly beans exist.   b.  jars exist.  c.  There is a jar that has jelly beans.  If God has infinite wisdom and/or infinite knowledge then it must be logically possible for infinite wisdom and infinite knowledge to exist.  To have something that something must be possible to exist and it must exist.  If God is possible and it is possible for God to have infinite amount of knowledge and wisdom then infinite wisdom and infinite knowledge must exist.  Just like if if is possible for one to have jelly beans in a jar then those jelly beans being in that jar must exist. 

Ok here is a big part of the problem. Did u notice when u did that search h that it was using all of the dozens of different interpretations possible to find the word infinite? I would contend that that word doesnt match up well with the original text. Here is a better translation of the first example you gave, "God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore."

You see here the word used is Measureless, which simply means cannot be measured by humans. Not the same as infinite. I've actually never heard the idea that knowledge is infinite before and I'm pretty certain the bible doesnt actually say that, just that knowledge is vast, which I think we can all agree on.

Start by always looking at multiple translations of a verse with a weight towards the NIV and KJV. (There are dozens of obscure translations. Did you know 90+% of available translations today were made in the last 50 or so years? Another modern attack by the devil on Gods word) I'm not saying you need to look at EVERY translation cause you would never finish, but at least a few of the most used.

Since you are a beginner at the bible follow my advise and stick with the NIV or the KJV. These are the oldest and most trusted versions out there used by the most people, and my synod(group of churches) did a thorough review of the newest version of the NIV a few years back and found it to be accurate. When I say review I mean dozens of pastor who all can read and write Greek, and hebrew(original biblical languages) all studying it for a few years when it came out.

"But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Tim 3:14

QuoteAre we not still reading the Bible through our own human interpretation which is considered sinful and flawed?  And, let's also consider that some people have mental illnesses and autism spectrum disorders whom are reading the Bible as well.  Do you think they would be able to read it as intended or are they reading it through their sinful nature as well as their neurology?

So, how do we tell what is clear or not?  How do we tell truth from error?  How do we tell that what we read from the Bible, get from any visions or what not comes from our own biases, from God, the devil or an upset stomach?  How do we suss out what is what?

Ok great questions. I would start with the simple answer that you find the truth of the bible much like you find truth elsewhere in life, much like you find conservative truths. How do you find those truths? Well you start by doing exactly what you are doing as a young man, asking older men you trust (aka solar, et al) for their wisdom and experience on the issue. That's how young men throughout history have learn the important things in life.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Prov 27:17

Also, you act as though you are looking at the bible and trying to figure it out alone, but you aren't. All who are moved by God search him out in his word and are brothers(and sisters) in christ. Now while it is perfectly possible to have a one on one relationship with God, he still wants his children to come together and help each other.

"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them." Matt 18:20
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Heb 10:24

And lastly God himself is ultimately in charge and control of his word and you can trust him to keep his message true.

"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:10
"Let's Go Brandon, I agree!"  -Biden

Solar

Quote from: alienhand on April 24, 2019, 11:51:05 PM
I was thinking about this from the other thread. 

Solar, I think I know and understand the axiom of where conservative mode of thought and philosophy.  I think the underlying assumption is free will and choice.  With that, the underlying assumption that everyone has free will that is absolute and everyone has this free will equal in spades to each other. 

I find this idea flawed.  One's choices that one can choose from can be diminished for others.

Example:  This man's personality changed because of a rod through his head. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phineas_Gage

How do you explain this man if we always have a choice in all that we do?   If one has diminished capacity then can one choose correctly in everything that is presented? 

If one has diminished capacity to one's sinful nature then how can one choose righteousness?
This is why the US is so special, we are born with inalienable Rights that level the playing field. From birth you are not designated by the govt class system, you are free to choose your own path, be it poverty or prosperity, the govt does not stand as an impediment.
However, being that life itself is not fair, not everyone is afforded the same pleasures of possible success.
But under our form of govt, the rules are the same for everyone.
If life we fair? The world wouldn't have perverts and predators, we wouldn't need locks or an army, police force. The Bill of Rights lists out Rights protected by God, not Govt. Your belief in God keeps said Rights alive.

No, life isn't fair and that's the beauty and simplicity of life, because if it were fair, we'd all be bored to death because there wouldn't be any challenges, which brings us to the blessing of Free Will, and why sustaining the sanctity of marriage and the family unit are so damned important, without it, children and their level playing field are quickly diminished and evil wins.
the path of evil is the easiest to take and the most unrewarding.
Official Trump Cult Member

#WWG1WGA

Q PATRIOT!!!

T Hunt

Quote from: alienhand on April 23, 2019, 11:17:45 AM
Ya and it's amazing b/c what we see out there occurred millions to billions of yrs ago.  Hmmm!  Let's say I come to the country side, we get a large extra cheese pizza and other toppings.  We talk about the wonders of life.  Millions to Billions of yrs from now aliens point their telescopes this way and see and hear us.  That is amazing.  Maybe the meaning of life is to eat a pizza w a friend.

Maybe you're right!  Alright, I'll do this.  I will keep logic, reason, science to the natural world only and not go beyond.  Accept there is a cause for all and don't go beyond it and live my life the best I can.

Maybe you're right!  Pizza? :biggrin:

I have to challenge you on this one. Perhaps the science behind the bible is your biggest stumbling block. Please provide evidence. Can you prove the world is millions of years old? I know modern scientists cannot and can only claim this based off of massive assumptions, such as the assumption that the speed of light never changes which we cannot for sure say. Have you looked into any of the other possibilities Christian scientists have postulated?
"Let's Go Brandon, I agree!"  -Biden

Solar

Quote from: alienhand on April 25, 2019, 03:42:08 AM
Let's say one is in church.  The service is going and one of the things the Pastor does is calls people up to accept Jesus as his lord and savior.  The person can choose to make the movements to go up there and utter the things he is told to utter.   But, what is the motivation for one to go up there?   Is the motivation for Godly and spiritual reasons or is the reason more selfish in nature as in wanting to avoid the punishment of hell. 

If the person has a sinful nature the motivation to go up won't be for Godly reasons but for selfish reasons as in avoiding hell.  Can one choose to have the right and Godly motivations to be saved?   If one chooses to repent why is he repenting?  What is the motivation behind his repentance.  If motivation is for selfish and ungodly reasons then how is it real repentance? 

That's the problem I have with the concept of free will and the ability to choose righteousness and repentance. 

When I went to church a long time ago, one of my pastor's said to the congregation to meditate on all things God.  I did and I analyzed everything I thought I understood including the concept of free will.  It got me thinking what was my motivation for going up to the pulpit to accept Jesus as my lord and savior?  Why did I do this?  Did I do it b/c of Godly reasons or b/c of selfish reasons like avoiding hell and the fear of hell? 

This is another issue I have with God.  How can I accept Jesus if my very nature is fallen and in a state of sin?  Did I deceive myself and those around me?

And, the more I did try to read the Bible and listened to others the less it all made sense to me.
Lose this so called "Religious" aspect, look at the Bible for what it is, a call to spirituality, a return to God and his teachings.
Read Jesus words, read the Book of Thomas, the words of Jesus and what he was trying to teach.
Keep in mind, many of the  stories in the bible are metaphorical in nature so people of the day could understand and follow along and understand and pass along these stories unfettered, because the majority of the people simply couldn't read back in the day.
But try and understand the message being presented, and if you can't, that's where Bible study groups come in, so certain topics can be discussed in depth.
My wife has one with all sisters once a week, where they delve into what Gods word means for them. Look online, there are thousands of groups in your own area, or simply join an online group.

Try and avoid the pomp and circumstance of religions and delve into the true meaning of God, and believe me, you don't need a church for that.
But more importantly? You don't need a mediator to talk to God.
Official Trump Cult Member

#WWG1WGA

Q PATRIOT!!!

T Hunt

#28
Alienhead, here is a good section of Roman's 7 which I think you will find helpful in understanding this issue. It is long tho. In fact Alienhead, you just need to read all of the book of Roman's. That is a very good summary of the concept of Salvation

"The Law and Sin

7What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "You shall not covet." b 8But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. 9Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 11For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.

13Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

14We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.17As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. c For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

21So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!


So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature d a slave to the law of sin."

"Let's Go Brandon, I agree!"  -Biden

T Hunt

Quote from: alienhand on April 24, 2019, 10:52:52 AM

Truth is, maybe I don't understand and I have so many questions is b/c he didn't choose me as part of his elect.  If my own free will is bound to sin and I'm not of his elect then how can I really choose.  It is through his grace we're saved not works.

Wrong. We all have questions, more when we are younger but still many when we are old. He did choose you alienhead, dont ever doubt that. That is the truth the devil wants to take from you. Whenever you doubt your salvation you are buying into the devil, the father of lies. The lie he gets so many to believe is that they arent saved.
"Let's Go Brandon, I agree!"  -Biden