Can We Really Exercise Free Will?

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studier said:
Smiling.
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Just read it and truly think it's far more applicable to you lot. Not saying you're wicked people but there truly is far more spirituality found in the Singles forum, than here.

It's only because i was a rookie, i published this post here, definitely wouldn't now.
 
LifelongLearner said:
Just read it and truly think it's far more applicable to you lot. Not saying you're wicked people but there truly is far more spirituality found in the Singles forum, than here.

It's only because i was a rookie, i published this post here, definitely wouldn't now.
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Nothing personal. It was a clever use of a verse.

Singles threads consist of people who want to meet others for various reasons so put on their best selves. It's like the cat who wants breakfast and rubs against your leg and purrs.

Theological threads are for release of hostilities, competitions, and battles against enemies, as it seems you've learned?

Someone should define free will.
 
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studier said:
Nothing personal. It was a clever use of a verse.

Singles threads consist of people who want to meet others for various reasons so put on their best selves. It's like the cat who wants breakfast and rubs against your leg and purrs.

Theological threads are for release of hostilities, competitions, and battles against enemies, as it seems you've learned?

Someone should define free will.
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Don't think you've spent much time on the Singles forum, there are few threads/posts like you mention. It seems to attract more thoughtful types than here, seoulsearch, SnackersMom and others have put some serious effort into the forum. Their hard work has really paid off .

There are some beautiful, really spiritual posts here too, just not so many. And no, what happened to my post is wrong, unacceptable to me, i wouldn't publish another post here, just making my thoughts about it known.
 
GWH said:
Thanks. I’m glad you admit it.
Anyway I am a lifelong learner and truth seeker who will continue to share what the Lord has taught me despite your discouraging words. HAND
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Never think i'm accusing you of hypocrisy and don't know i have my issues with it too.

Better sort out my sweetheart's thru the night meal, time for me to get ready to sleep.
 
LifelongLearner said:
Never think i'm accusing you of hypocrisy and don't know i have my issues with it too.

Better sort out my sweetheart's thru the night meal, time for me to get ready to sleep.
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Well I will be happy to reset our relationship tomorrow if you are in a better mood. LIC
 
GWH said:
Well I will be happy to reset our relationship tomorrow if you are in a better mood. LIC
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Hey, if an issue is resolved, it's done and dusted to me. That would float my boat for sure, sweet dreams and all that's good for now.
 
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I think GW clearly indicates that normal human adults have moral free will or volition or the ability to cooperate with God’s will and to choose to disobey (Gen. 3:1-7, Deut. 30:19, Matt. 23:37, Rev. 3:20), which is why they are accountable and those who do not repent will reap justice in hell before being destroyed.
 
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Genez said:
Well?
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Just saying but in all fairness, you lot do often act like your arbiters of all that's good and true on the forum. Which others, including myself, know is rubbish, however, you seem to accept i don't buy it currently and i'm not a grudge holder if an issue is sorted.

Hopeful real spiritual friendships will develop too and it not be just a temporary ceasefire.
 
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GWH said:
I think GW clearly indicates that normal human adults have moral free will or volition or the ability to cooperate with God’s will and to choose to disobey (Gen. 3:1-7, Deut. 30:19, Matt. 23:37, Rev. 3:20), which is why they are accountable and those who do not repent will reap justice in hell before being destroyed.
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That's something i'm happy to agree to disagree on GWH. We certainly have choice and can exercise our wills at times, however, in a world with probably 8 billion plus people, FREE will, the ability to exert one's will unilaterally always, is an impossibility for us.

However, we are always accountable for our choices and acts of will, you just don't understand being able to exercise our wills at times doesn't constitute free will. Which isn't an issue for me, i hope we can now engage in reasonable, not rancorous discussion about it.
 
This is the problem with getting into philosophical discussions about free will. This is just one of many resources available to get definitions of the phrase. The video is less than 2 minutes:

Defining Free Will - Module 3: The Philosophy of Free Will | Coursera

Is it really necessary to get into all this when our main objective seems to be to discuss whether or not man is free to choose to believe God's message that Jesus is YHWH's Christ?

The philosophical debates re: "free will" have been going on for millennia and are continually being revised. Did Christianity even have to get into the philosophy and debate?
 
studier said:
This is the problem with getting into philosophical discussions about free will. This is just one of many resources available to get definitions of the phrase. The video is less than 2 minutes:

Defining Free Will - Module 3: The Philosophy of Free Will | Coursera

Is it really necessary to get into all this when our main objective seems to be to discuss whether or not man is free to choose to believe God's message that Jesus is YHWH's Christ?

The philosophical debates re: "free will" have been going on for millennia and are continually being revised. Did Christianity even have to get into the philosophy and debate?
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So agree Studier, i was happy to agree to disagree/let sleeping dogs lie etc but GWH, Genez etc kept resurrecting the post with comments which can only be described as trolling and flaming.
Hopefully they now understand i won't tolerate such behaviour on my well intentioned post, nor should i be expected to, let alone have to.
 
cv5 said:
What a mess.

It is the fool that has said (chosen) in his heart (a choice made from the innermost being) that there is no God (that God shall not rule over him) is he that chooses to be a slave to sin, ultimately because he chose to serve evil and the evil one.

Furthermore Jesus is perfectly clear in saying that he who CHOOSES to sin is a slave to it.
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💯

The words of Christ Jesus cause many problems for determinists.
 
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studier said:
This is the problem with getting into philosophical discussions about free will. This is just one of many resources available to get definitions of the phrase. The video is less than 2 minutes:

Defining Free Will - Module 3: The Philosophy of Free Will | Coursera

Is it really necessary to get into all this when our main objective seems to be to discuss whether or not man is free to choose to believe God's message that Jesus is YHWH's Christ?

The philosophical debates re: "free will" have been going on for millennia and are continually being revised. Did Christianity even have to get into the philosophy and debate?
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It is only important for those who have to defend "inability" but I agree it really is neither here nor there, when it comes to the plan of

salvation, Christ Jesus is quite clear and simple regarding ability and necessity to believe, it is just the "isms" that have to mess with it.
 
HeIsHere said:
💯

The words of Christ Jesus cause many problems for determinists.
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So true. Such as a bad tree cannot bring forth good fruit. You and yours claim otherwise, denying what Jesus said.

You and yours like to pretend that the heart of man being incurably wicked does not apply to all when it is repeatedly stated that there are none good. You refuse to believe Jesus when He says not all hear. You reject that people (the whole world) are blinded and cannot understand. I could go on, but you are in so much denial there is really not much point. You just get angry and then start lying some more.
 
LifelongLearner said:
Logical analysis indicates we don't have free will. Enacting will and choice, which we certainly have in certain circumstances, is mistakenly construed as free will.
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You view of free will is not in line with the historical, philosophical definition. No sane person would argue a person has the ability to affect outcome of their actions each and every time.
 
HeIsHere said:
It is only important for those who have to defend "inability" but I agree it really is neither here nor there, when it comes to the plan of

salvation, Christ Jesus is quite clear and simple regarding ability and necessity to believe, it is just the "isms" that have to mess with it.
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Just wondering why knowing free will is a silly fiction needs defending HIH? I think your comment is deliberately inflammatory, a very clumsy and obvious attempt to stifle reasonable debate.
 
HeIsHere said:
You view of free will is not in line with the historical, philosophical definition. No sane person would argue a person has the ability to affect outcome of their actions each and every time.
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What you mean is not the ones you favour, who are very unlikely to appeal to me. Think i'll soon find out if it's just you looking to stir the pot/troll again.
 
Magenta said:
So true. Such as a bad tree cannot bring forth good fruit. You and yours claim otherwise, denying what Jesus said.

You and yours like to pretend that the heart of man being incurably wicked does not apply to all when it is repeatedly stated that there are none good. You refuse to believe Jesus when He says not all hear. You reject that people (the whole world) are blinded and cannot understand. I could go on, but you are in so much denial there is really not much point. You just get angry and then start lying some more.
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That's so good again precious friend, food for soul and mind.
 
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