Thursday, August 27, 2009
i was just discussing this with my friend jorrel last night:
why are us humans held morally responsible for our actions?
for example,
if we go and fuck up, and then (if you're catholic) we have to now go and "repent" our sins to the lord
but here's the thing..
if god is omniscient (all-knowing),
then therefore he knows what you're going to do tomorrow (good or bad)
and if he knows what we're gonna do tomorrow,
how can we do otherwise?
if we cannot do otherwise, then how can we be held morally responsible for our actions?
something to think about.
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Let me explain from a Christian's point of view:
ReplyDeleteAlthough God is aware and knows exactly what will happen before it takes places, He does not force us to do anything. I heard this illustration once and I think it captures the idea well: "God is like the man driving the blimp in the sky as he is overlooking a parade. The man can see the whole parade from beginning to end, but does not interfere with the procession. He watches and knows what is up ahead, but the parade participants cannot see what is around the corner." God knows all, but this is not to say that He created us to be robots--we are not, we have a free will. We can choose to accept Him into our lives or not. The reason we can be held morally responsible is because we have a choice. We have a choice to do what is ethically wrong or right because despite the relativistic point of view that has pervaded our society, there are universal truths and morality still stands. We are not bound by God's knowledge of our actions--we are free to do as we please. If we are Christians, then we do as God pleases because we want to please Him.
In Romans 3:18-20, it is clear that all humanity is under indictment. People have been and are currently being held responsible for their immoral actions even if God knew beforehand that they would sin. "Life in the world cannot be lived except in the flesh, but life lived according to the flesh where animal appetites and desires dominate existence, is a life hostile to God unable to please God" (The Theology of Paul the Apostle, Dunn, Pg.80). Vince, your question, indeed, is a valid one, and I sometimes question the same thing. But Scripture emphasizes that all of creation is in a fallen state because of sin. Therefore, our decision-making is earth bound and we are not truly free apart from God's grace. We can choose to do what is right or wrong, but if we choose the former this is not to say that we are doing it for the right reason or with the right motive. When a person is in right relationship with God, his/her choices align with His will.
I hope this helps, V-Dawg.
Let me explain from a Christian's point of view:
ReplyDeleteAlthough God is aware and knows exactly what will happen before it takes places, He does not force us to do anything. I heard this illustration once and I think it captures the idea well: "God is like the man driving the blimp in the sky as he is overlooking a parade. The man can see the whole parade from beginning to end, but does not interfere with the procession. He watches and knows what is up ahead, but the parade participants cannot see what is around the corner." God knows all, but this is not to say that He created us to be robots--we are not, we have a free will. We can choose to accept Him into our lives or not. The reason we can be held morally responsible is because we have a choice. We have a choice to do what is ethically wrong or right because despite the relativistic point of view that has pervaded our society, there are universal truths and morality still stands. We are not bound by God's knowledge of our actions--we are free to do as we please. If we are Christians, then we do as God pleases because we want to please Him.
In Romans 3:18-20, it is clear that all humanity is under indictment. People have been and are currently being held responsible for their immoral actions even if God knew beforehand that they would sin. "Life in the world cannot be lived except in the flesh, but life lived according to the flesh where animal appetites and desires dominate existence, is a life hostile to God unable to please God" (The Theology of Paul the Apostle, Dunn, Pg.80). Vince, your question, indeed, is a valid one, and I sometimes question the same thing. But Scripture emphasizes that all of creation is in a fallen state because of sin. Therefore, our decision-making is earth bound and we are not truly free apart from God's grace. We can choose to do what is right or wrong, but if we choose the former this is not to say that we are doing it for the right reason or with the right motive. When a person is in right relationship with God, his/her choices align with His will.
I hope this helps, V-Dawg.