How would you answer this question?
How would you answer this question?
I've been wondering lately about the connectedness of man's guilt and our lack of choices. If man is born into sin and are created this way, why should they be held accountable for the way they were built? I recently have begun building guitars and realize that if I make a shoddy or defective instrument then it is my failure- not my creation's fault. Wouldn't this extend to God as well? We have no choice how we're made but then we are held accountable for it and possibly (depending on your views) spend eternity apart from any goodness or God because of it. Has anyone ever thought about this before?
Re: How would you answer this question?
We may have no choice about how we were created, but we have plenty of choices—including the most significant ones—that we make for the rest of our lives. We will not be held accountable for things about which we had no choice. We can very justly be held accountable for the choices we make, though.
If we are born with a deadly illness, but a cure is readily available to us for the choosing, then our destinies will depend, not on our birth condition, but upon the choices we make about the cure.
If we are born with a deadly illness, but a cure is readily available to us for the choosing, then our destinies will depend, not on our birth condition, but upon the choices we make about the cure.
Re: How would you answer this question?
I'm a quasi-semi-pro-Guitar-Rehabber-luthier.
Wood, frets, strings, bridges, whammy-bars, and the such-like don't have personalities. They're mere material substances and become whatever they're crafted to be. A guitar is totally "monergistic" (there's one "work" done to it by both the luthier who makes it, and the guitar player, who brings out the sound). Wood can't choose to become a guitar neck, any more than it can decide to be a door, etc., etc.
People aren't like guitars.
God isn't like a luthier, nor a guitar player (in my illustration), imo.
People have personality.
So does God.
It takes two to tango!
It takes two for one of them to decide not to tango too!
Wood, frets, strings, bridges, whammy-bars, and the such-like don't have personalities. They're mere material substances and become whatever they're crafted to be. A guitar is totally "monergistic" (there's one "work" done to it by both the luthier who makes it, and the guitar player, who brings out the sound). Wood can't choose to become a guitar neck, any more than it can decide to be a door, etc., etc.
People aren't like guitars.
God isn't like a luthier, nor a guitar player (in my illustration), imo.
People have personality.
So does God.
It takes two to tango!
It takes two for one of them to decide not to tango too!
Re: How would you answer this question?
I recently have begun building guitars and realize that if I make a shoddy or defective instrument then it is my failure- not my creation's fault. Wouldn't this extend to God as well?
I'm not sure about that word you chose "defective". Eve certainly had impulses already in her when she saw the tree was pleasent to her eyes, and could make her wise and was good for food, she actually was dwelling on the tree, in a way lusting for it.
Was she defective or could she have looked away from the tree and simply have trusted God? Apparently she had the capacity to obey God based on His reaction to the events unless the whole episode is a charade of some sort.
I'm not sure about that word you chose "defective". Eve certainly had impulses already in her when she saw the tree was pleasent to her eyes, and could make her wise and was good for food, she actually was dwelling on the tree, in a way lusting for it.
Was she defective or could she have looked away from the tree and simply have trusted God? Apparently she had the capacity to obey God based on His reaction to the events unless the whole episode is a charade of some sort.
Re: How would you answer this question?
jaimasee wrote:
Anyways, it seems that at least a couple of the players would only go in circles, no matter how you tried to adjust them. They are supposed to go straight.
Now, if I created these little men to go in circles, I would not have any right to be mad when they did not go straight. But if I created them with the ability to go straight, but they chose to go in circles, then I would have the right to be upset. (of course I realize that pieces of plastic cant make choices but hopefully you catch my drift).
TK
for some weird reason this brought to mind my favorite game as a kid- electric football. You placed these little plastic players on a metal field that vibrated when you turned on the switch. the players would then move in response to the vibrating field. I loved that game!If man is born into sin and are created this way, why should they be held accountable for the way they were built?
Anyways, it seems that at least a couple of the players would only go in circles, no matter how you tried to adjust them. They are supposed to go straight.
Now, if I created these little men to go in circles, I would not have any right to be mad when they did not go straight. But if I created them with the ability to go straight, but they chose to go in circles, then I would have the right to be upset. (of course I realize that pieces of plastic cant make choices but hopefully you catch my drift).
TK
Re: How would you answer this question?
Hey TK
I don't know why (exactly) but....
are you equating Calvinism with electric football?
Wasn't that game for "3rd Grade & Up"?
For some reason this is REALLY funny to me, TK, thanks!
Like God is 'bending the guy' who refuses to run straight!
"Wait, I predestined him to be a circle-er, he has no choice!"
I don't know why (exactly) but....
are you equating Calvinism with electric football?
Wasn't that game for "3rd Grade & Up"?
For some reason this is REALLY funny to me, TK, thanks!
Like God is 'bending the guy' who refuses to run straight!
"Wait, I predestined him to be a circle-er, he has no choice!"
Re: How would you answer this question?
Rick wrote:
TK
I guess I am- i may have to write an article for consideration in a theology journal.are you equating Calvinism with electric football?
TK
Re: How would you answer this question?
Thanks everyone. I've been going through a mountain of a faith crisis over the last couple years and it's brought up a handful of questions. I appreciate it.