(April 15, 2013 at 4:57 pm)pocaracas Wrote:(April 15, 2013 at 12:41 pm)Tex Wrote: I don't think removing any possibility for doubt is required of God. In fact, I think it's required he allow the possibility. The greater the possibility to doubt, the greater the free will. Those who investigate generally (but not always) find the evidence, but some of this evidence must be studied and contemplated before understood. All of this is an exercise of the will.How does all this measure up with the account of Abraham? You know, the guy that started all the "abrahamic" religions...
If we were simply given knowledge beyond the shadow of a doubt, free will would not be very important. It would allow us to eat beef over chicken, but that's about it. Instead, because of the doubt, those that do not want to receive knowledge don't by their own free choice. Those that want the knowledge are free to obtain it by their own workings.
Finally, I don't even know if the knowledge beyond a doubt would help so many people. I can't reasonably say all, but most people would still want to do what they want, make their own way, and basically dismiss the knowledge they have as unimportant.
Abraham had more specific knowledge that was not the self-evident that is required. God revealed to him more. This isn't a problem, but nothing that God reveals actually increases Abraham's faith. The communication between God and Abraham didn't start Abraham's belief. The communication was given so that the world could be shaped in a particular way.
God revealed to a guy that was a believer anyway. He could reveal knowledge because it would be in accordance with Abraham's will rather than force it against itself.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
