(July 11, 2015 at 5:56 pm)Neimenovic Wrote:(July 11, 2015 at 5:50 pm)Randy Carson Wrote: I'm not sure how you conclude that I'm a liar from this. I think that if God WERE to go BIG on the revelation thing, it would be coercive in the sense that we really wouldn't have any choice but to go along with the program. For this reason, God has revealed himself in some dramatic ways to some people so that they would know that they WERE dealing with God, but without denying them the right to say no. Most obviously, since He is God, He would be in a position to only approach people that He knew would respond positively. Like Mary, for example. I doubt she was chosen purely at random, do you?
First you say that god can't reveal himself to people because that violates free will.
No, I didn't say that God "can't reveal himself". In the passage that you just quoted, I said, "If God were to make a more overt gesture of His existence, He would interfere with our free will."
"More overt" does not mean "can't".
Quote:Now you say god can reveal himself and it doesn't violate our free will.
And you're asking why I conclude you're a liar?
Well, I guess you concluded that I'm lying because you're not really paying attention.
Quote:Mary was instructed, not asked. Look up the passage. And do you really think 'I will impregnate you with myself' isn't 'going big on the revelation thing'?
Mary was informed - not commanded, and she consented to God's plan just as He in His foreknowledge knew she would. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.”
