God can prevent himself from being omniscient....
 

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

If God stopped being omniscient, He would not be God!

You don't understand. not knowing God's plan.
God KNEW man would sin, but His plan was for us to LOVE HIM
as He loves us: so He created man, to express His love in us!
God did not repent of His plan: it hurt Him that so many would
not heed His call. It hurt Him that man was hurting himself so
much. But it was the END of the matter that kept Him fulfilling
His love! You see, God also SAW that there would be those who
believed and obeyed.

Have you not read: "...who for the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, despising the shame..."What joy, you ask?
The joy of seeing us BELIEVE AND OBEY his will! Or have you
not understood that in the Garden of Gethsemane, when he was
pouring out his soul to the Father, Jesus asked for the cup to be
taken out of the way. But the Father allowed him a glimpse PAST
the suffering and shame of Calvary; even to the very day of our
redemption...and to our place with him in glory: and Jesus then
rejoiced saying:

"...nevertheless, not my will, but Thine, be done."

God caused himself to forget our iniquities

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

Do you believe in open theism.

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

How can open theism be true if He knows the end from the beginning?

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

Have you read about Open Theism?

http://reknew.org/2016/03/when-god-regrets/

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

God knows all things as possibilities but there are some things he determines.
http://reknew.org/2007/12/response-to-critics/

http://reknew.org/2007/12/response-t...m-evangelical/

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

Foreknowledge implies he even knows our decisions.

He foreknew those who would love Him, and he determined those specific people go through a process. That is the true sense of predestination. Not predestination of every individual.

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

Why does God regret? How can God truly be angry with Israel if he already knew that Israel would rebel against him in the wilderness? Is God acting? These are intelligent, thoughtful questions that you don't have to be an open theist to answer.

What do you believe?

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

Have you studied anthropopathy?

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

But the real question is "HOW" does God foreknow...by knowing all possibilities or by predetermining all things?


Did you read those 2 articles?

Many passages of Scripture depict God as foreknowing and/or predetermining certain things about the future. But there are also many passages that depict the future is open (not determined) and depict God as knowing it as a realm partly comprised of possibilities. Some examples of these Scriptures include: The Lord frequently changes his mind in the light of changing circumstances, or as a result of prayer (Exod. 32:14; Num. 14:12–20; Deut. 9:13–14, 18–20, 25; 1 Sam. 2:27–36; 2 Kings 20:1–7; 1 Chron. 21:15; Jer. 26:19; Ezek. 20:5–22; Amos 7:1–6; Jonah 1:2; 3:2, 4–10). At other times he explicitly states that he will change his mind if circumstances change (Jer. 18:7–11; 26:2–3; Ezek. 33:13–15). This willingness to change is portrayed as one of God’s attributes of greatness (Joel 2:13–14; Jonah 4:2). Sometimes God expresses regret and disappointment over how things turned out—sometimes even including the results of his own will. (Gen. 6:5–6; 1 Sam. 15:10, 35; Ezek. 22:29–31). At other times he tells us that he is surprised at how things turned out because he expected a different outcome (Isa. 5:3–7; Jer. 3:67; 19–20). The Lord frequently tests his people to find out whether they’ll remain faithful to him (Gen. 22:12; Exod. 16:4; Deut. 8:2; 13:1–3; Judges 2:20–3:5; 2 Chron. 32:31). The Lord sometimes asks non-rhetorical questions about the future (Num. 14:11; Hos. 8:5) and speaks to people in terms of what may or may not happen (Exod. 3:18–4:9; 13:17; Jer. 38:17–18, 20–21, 23; Ezek. 12:1–3). The Lord frequently speaks of the future in terms of what may and may not come to pass (Ex.4:1-7; Ex. 13:17; Ezek 12:3).

- See more at: http://reknew.org/2007/12/response-t....yalGjvds.dpuf

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

God perfectly knows from all time what will be, what would be, and what may be. He sovereignly sets parameters for all three categories. His knowledge of what might occur leaves him no less prepared for the future than his knowledge of determined aspects of creation. Because he is infinitely intelligent, he does not need to focus his attention on a limited set of possibilities as we do. In other words, he is able to attend to each one of a trillion billion possibilities, as though it was the only possibility he had to consider. He is infinitely attentive to each and every one. Hence, whatever possibility ends up coming to pass, we may say that from all eternity God was preparing for just this possibility, as though it were the only possibility that could ever possibly occur.

- See more at: http://reknew.org/2015/08/the-god-wh....wOGORwhp.dpuf

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

God doesn't have to prevent himself from being omniscient to not know what someone might do in a given situation. He could know some things as possibilities...every possibility that could come to pass. There are times in the bible when God thought "surely they will do this" and they do something else!

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

I am concerned about topics like this because it puts God beneath a mircroscope, so who do we think we are? lol And most of all it doesn't affect how we grow spiritually. It's more like brain candy than anything beneficial.

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

I trust God. I don't have to understand everything.

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

Exactly. Amen.

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

I disagree.

This topic addresses really important questions that people ask when bad things happen to them. Depending on you view of God's foreknowledge, predestination, etc, if you hold to a view that God has a blueprint view of the future in which he meticulously controls everything, then if your child is murdered, it was God's will for them to be murdered, or the Holocaust was God's will, etc. This view harmonizes with the concept of free will and God limiting his control of his creation so that we can make choices that either or agree or disagree with God's will for our lives. So when beings with free will (human, angelic, demonic) make choices that affect our lives in a bad way, we don't have to blame God or believe that God has anything to do with the troubles that come our way. But we know that God can take those things that others meant for evil and turn them around for our God.

In the blueprint view of God's foreknowledge, prayer doesn't really change God mind. But we read in the Bible that intercessory prayer changes outcomes. Prayer really affects God. It puts the onus on us to pray otherwise things won't get done in the kingdom that God wants done.
http://reknew.org/2015/05/does-praye...change-things/

I want to know the deep things of God. I don't believe Open Theism has God in a box or explains everything about God's foreknowledge comprehensively but I like it better than other explanations.

Does it help with spiritual growth and our becoming more and more like Jesus? I think it does.

Not if we simply trust God. The deep things of God aren't issues the bible doesn't explain.

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

Aren't you curious?

Job wanted to know "why". He felt he was being unjustly punished by God, but he wasn't.
Some people (Calvinists) have turned God into a monster through their understanding of God's omniscience instead of the loving God exhibited through Jesus.

Certainly some things are difficult to understand but that doesn't mean we stop trying to understand and chalk it up to mystery. Yet, I know that are scriptures that teach there are certain things that are unknowable, passed our understanding to know, and some things God simply does not reveal. I'm okay with that because, like you, I trust God. I know that God is good. I know that he loves me. I trust in who he is...his character. But I still want to know him more.

I'm not curious about things the bible didn't take time to explain. i was at one time. but i was snapped about that. God spoke to me one day to stop wasting my time. the bible was particular about what we should know and focus on. again, the deep things of God are what the bible focused on. what we find in chapter after chapter is the need to be led by his Spirit, deny the flesh, and increase our awareness of who we are in him. There's too much of a job to do those things than to take time to check into things God never felt he should talk to us about.

my opinion.

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

I understand you meant no disrespect. I'm just pointing out for everyone's consideration that the bible lays out what he wants us to know. other things ought not be pursued.

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

I see what you are trying to say. But I'm trying to say the bible could have elaborated on that, but didn't. It could have spent as many chapters in the issue as some are writing books about it, but it didn't. It is, in my opinion, an anthropopathy. But look at what the bible did spend chapters explaining. Focus there.

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

I don't think Open theists would agree with your question.

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

and to ASK. I thought it was a great question.

Genesis 1 has light appearing before the sun and moon were created. Revelation 21 says there will be no sun in the next life on the earth in new Jerusalem but there will be light, the Lamb. I don't know how this can be but I trust God that it was and it will be.

Can't resist. Sun and moon weren't "made" by first day, not weren't "created."

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

But foolish and unlearned questions avoid.

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

I am really curious about one thing. Why many consider issues the bible does not explain nor care to elaborate on, while focusing detailingly on other issues, as deeper things of God.

I knew a man that thought so much like that, that he considered the bible to be juvenile shallow spirituality, and he started getting into occult books from the likes of people such as Edgar Cayce! I am not saying anyone here interested in this issue of open theism would or is doing that. But that guy did.

It does concern me.

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

Such great substance you contribute. :thwak Are they foolish and unlearned questions when you have no substance to offer while discussing the word of God?

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

Mfblume,

I have not made this topic the highlight of my life. As I read through the bible, I write down information that "sticks out," and I study it whenever I get around to it.

You also stated above, "Why many consider issues the bible does not explain nor care to elaborate on, while focusing detailingly on other issues, as deeper things of God."


There are many things that have a deeper meaning when studying, even though the bible doesn't explain or elaborate. I will give you an example.

John 20:26
Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. "Peace be with you," he said.


We know after the crucifixion Jesus appeared before the disciples, but yet Thomas was not there. We then read in John 20:26, that eight days later, Jesus appeared before the disciples, again. However, this time Thomas was there. Why did Jesus return eight days later? Why not the next day or perhaps the fifth day? Why wait eight days? There's something about eight days.

God told Abraham to circumcise Isaac on the eighth day. We all know that circumcision is cutting away the flesh and/or foreskin. Not only Isaac, but Jesus was taken to the temple on the eight day and circumcised. Jesus came for Thomas on the eighth day because doubting Thomas represented the "flesh part" of the disciples, and the flesh part of Thomas would have prevented the disciples from functioning in unison and entering the promises of God. Jesus returned on the eighth day to circumcise Thomas' doubt.

There are always deeper meanings with information in the bible that the bible doesn't elaborate about.

The first drop of blood that Jesus shed wasn't on the cross, it was in the temple on the eighth day.

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

Yes there are foolish and unlearned questions. :throwrock

and it is these kinds of questions which lack any substance. :D

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

I'm not sure what your point is. Made vs Created...what is the difference?



Colossian 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; 16 for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him.

All things in heaven and on earth were created.

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

I'm not a huge fan of allegory. One story can be crafted different ways with the use of allegory. It's okay but I'm more black and white for the most part.

Re: God can prevent himself from being omniscient.
 

If you checked out some of the links to the articles I gave you, you would understand the benefits of open theism. If you were a calvinist you would also see the benefits of open theism even if you disagreed.

Give me some meat with those potatoes and veggies and milk, please.

amen. But the difference is the bible does elaborate on the eighth day, for example. The key, I believe, is to stick with the word over these things. I'm just saying the word does not elaborate on the open theistic concept.

When Paul talked of "the deep things of God", it wasn't issues not dealt with in the word.

I believe meat is what the word gets into alone.

the reason I make these claims is simply because the word dies not go beyond noting that point. regardless of what the articles say, I already know the weird didn't get into that.

I believe the bible is self-contained in light of what we need. If it didn't deal with that issue, I don't need it.