How can people have free will if God knows everything?

1. 57

   Education Answerposted 11 years ago

   How can people have free will if God knows everything?

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2. 79

   DreamerMegposted 11 years ago

   There is a difference between KNOWING everything and FORCING people to do something. However, you have asked a very big question that many people with a passionate interest in the subject have debated for many years without coming to any agreed conclusion. It's a matter of opinion, not fact, so no one is ever going to be able to provide a definitive answer on this.

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3. 71

   Heather63posted 11 years ago

   According to scripture God does know everything, but He is looking for people to follow Him willingly. He wants a relationship with each of us, but He invites us, not forces us. As my pastor says, "He doesn't want robots"!

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   daleamyposted 11 years ago

   I know what my kids do, but they still make the choice to do those things. My knowledge of their actions doesn't control their actions.

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5. 72

   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   He knows what will happen if you choose a certain path, but you choose the path you take and the future. He only knows the outcome.

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6. 59

   liftandsoarposted 11 years ago

   If you accept Scripture there are three certainties related to your question.
   1. Yes, God knows all things.  He is omniscient.
   2. And, yes, we are responsible for our actions. Free will is very much misunderstood. None of us is free to do what is inconsistent with our nature. We can't flap our arms and fly.  However we have a significant choice before God. We are not robots. We are responsible for our actions and their consequences.
   3. Third certainty - It's a mystery. That's not a copout.  It's only reasonable that if God is infinite we finite creatures would be unable to comprehend Him fully. Humbly walking with God calls us to accept the mystery and not use it as an excuse for ignoring what is clear and right before our faces.

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7. 72

   lone77starposted 11 years ago

   Yes, God knows everything, but...
   
   Why the "but?" Because God knows the future if we don't change our minds. He sees the inertia of our actions and intentions. If we change our minds, then the future changes and God now knows the new future.
   
   Simple.
   
   Free will and God's omniscience are not incompatible, just as perfect confidence and utter humility are not incompatible.

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