Please bear with me as this is my first post on this site. I've been a Christian most of my life, although there were several years where I was away from the Lord. I was actually led to this site through an athiest friend who pointed me at a thread of a Christian who was asking some tough questions. I believe that the bible answers these questions quite clearly.

I'd like to start with the very common argument that if God knew we would sin, why did he give us the choice to do it?

In order to properly address this question, we have to understand what exactly it is that we're asking. First, God is infinite and we are not. The bible says that God is omniscient, he knows everything. He knew us before the foundations of this world were actually created and he knew everything that has and ever will happen. If you think that the above question is a difficult one, start thinking about why God does ANYTHING if he already knows everything.

In many places in Psalms and Romans, the phrase "for His Name's sake" or similar is used. I believe that God allowed us to choose right from wrong in order to allow his name to be glorified. "Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith." Romans 1:5.

The Bible also says that we are "predestined" either to believe or not. Does this then mean that we have no choice? From God's point of view, Yes! From our point of view, absolutely not? "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us,[a (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=68&chapter=3&verse=9&version=50&context=verse#fen-NKJV-30526a)] not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9. Isn't that a contradiction? The Bible says that God predestined some, but that he doesn't will anyone to perish. Again, we're dealing with an omniscient, infinite God and his finite, limited creation. " 8 “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD.
9 “ For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

Finally, using human reason to find God is not possible. God does not say that we should not use reason, but He does speak plainly about using our reason APART from Him. "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ... For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe." God's sole purpose is to bring Glory to His name. It is a ubiquitous theme throughout all scripture. Jericho, Egypt, Isreal, the Cross, etc. All these examples through weakness according to man magnify God's strength. "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;" 1 Cor 1:27.

I have much more to say, but I'll post this in order to facilitate discussion.

Another point I'd like to address is that of human reasoning towards punishment for sin. Sin is defined as disobedience to God. "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin." There is absolutely no sin that separates us from God except that of unbelief. This, too, is unchanging throughout all scripture. Paul reinforces it when he quotes "Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin." in Romans 4:8.

That being said, unbelief will ultimately separate us from God. There is a divine standard that God must uphold in order to be God. We are incapable of meeting this standard on our own. Only through faith can we achieve it, which brings us back to the point in my first post, bringing Glory to God. A good, thorough reading of Romans will make this crystal clear. "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not!" "And the commandment, which was to bring life, I found to bring death." "Therefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy and just and good." All in Romans 7.

God's perfect standard is set forth by the law. Any sin is enough to separate us from him. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." Christ was the only way that God's perfect standard could be met while allowing Him to show mercy on us according to His lovingkindness.

Can you see now why God cannot overlook some sins and not others. Every human being has a different opinion on what is wrong and what is not. Using mans reasoning to argue why or why not God should judge one is foolish. God allows us to choose our own way and give us consequences to manifest His care for us. Ultimately, sin brings death, and if our death comes separated from God, we face judgement. From webster.com "Justice: 1 a: the maintenance or administration of what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments".

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise,[a (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20timothy;&version=50;#fen-NKJV-29708a)]be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." 1 Tim. 1:15-17

Hello to you too :)

"I'd like to start with the very common argument that if God knew we would sin, why did he give us the choice to do it?"


Rather if He knew we couldn't sin because He denied giving us the choice, then why make us? He would have had equal enjoyment from the rocks He made on the Third Day.

It's good to meet you and to read your thoughts. Love SofTy.