(July 12, 2017 at 3:15 pm)Inkfeather132 Wrote:(July 12, 2017 at 12:52 pm)SteveII Wrote: On what basis do you say we lose free will in heaven?
Omnipotence does not mean can do anything. It means can do anything logically possible to do.
1. You would have to show that a world is actually possible (not just logically possible) where everyone has free will yet never chooses wrong. It is no longer a matter of logically possible, because you have now made it contingent upon a variable that God, by definition, does not control.
2. The "ruleset" is not arbitrary or could have been some other way. It is based in the nature of God (which has always been the same). Part of that nature is also holiness and justice kicks in when confronted with a moral failure. These attributes must be satisfied in order for the relationship to be repaired.
3. Failure to repair that relationship mean separation from God. The whole plan of redemption is all about rehabilitation and reconciliation.
4. God provided a FREE method of repair, but cannot force us to take it (free will and all).
This has gotten a bit long and complicated, so I'd like to ask for some clarification. SteveII, are you saying that god is an objective moral standard? If so, do you mean that everything he does is good and everything he doesn't do is not good? Or is it everything he says to do is good and everything he says not to do is bad. Basically, how do we know what is good and what is bad in your opinion? I'd like to join in the discussion but I'm getting a little lost in the long posts lol!
For ease of reference, I will number my points:
1. God's moral nature (characteristics) is an objective moral standard because it always existed, is unchanging, and each attribute is perfect. In other words, there could be no loving nature greater than God's, no merciful nature greater than God's, no greater justice than God's, etc.
2. God cannot make decisions or command anything contrary to his nature, so all of God's decisions and commands are moral.
3. God's commands are the source of our moral values and duties (two different things).
Notice the moral hierarchy: God's Nature --> God's Commands --> Our values and duties. This is an important distinction that most people are just skipping over.