Comments on: The Problem of Choice https://lucindajkinsinger.com/the-problem-of-choice/ Movement, Color, Sound, Story Fri, 15 May 2020 22:32:48 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.4 By: Lucinda Miller https://lucindajkinsinger.com/the-problem-of-choice/#comment-4572 Mon, 21 Oct 2019 15:41:05 +0000 https://lucindajkinsinger.com/?p=17164#comment-4572 In reply to David Cash.

It is fascinating food for thought, and I really appreciate your thoughtful answer.

]]> By: David Cash https://lucindajkinsinger.com/the-problem-of-choice/#comment-4571 Sun, 20 Oct 2019 21:58:00 +0000 https://lucindajkinsinger.com/?p=17164#comment-4571 In reply to Lucinda Miller.

I’m not sure that I can give a clear Scriptural reference for God choosing His own character. Off the top of my head, Jesus’ reference to the Father having life in Himself (John 5:26) is the closest that I can come. Another reference that might go with it would be where God calls Himself, “I AM” in Exodus 3:13-14. I think I’ve heard that the idea of self-existence is behind the Hebrew Yahweh (LORD or Jehovah in English translations). If God doesn’t derive His existence from anything or anyone else, He about has to choose His own character. Of course this is all probing areas that aren’t spelled out in Scripture and a guy could get in over his head really quick. So I wouldn’t want to stand up and shout about it, but I’ve found it fascinating food for thought and don’t think it’s going astray from any basic Christian doctrine.
Thanks for the reminder that doctrine needs to be Scriptural.

]]> By: Lucinda Miller https://lucindajkinsinger.com/the-problem-of-choice/#comment-4567 Mon, 14 Oct 2019 20:37:42 +0000 https://lucindajkinsinger.com/?p=17164#comment-4567 In reply to David Cash.

I have never thought before of God as choosing his own character. I always thought the Bible teaches that God is good and God is love, and that these things are intrinsic to his nature. I am very intrigued by this idea which is new to me. What scriptural backing do you have to support the assertion that he chooses his own character?

I appreciate your thoughts on why our human choices are valuable. Another friend brought up the point that choice is what separates us from the animals and lends us dignity. Your thoughts supplement and deepen hers.

]]> By: David Cash https://lucindajkinsinger.com/the-problem-of-choice/#comment-4566 Sun, 13 Oct 2019 19:56:02 +0000 https://lucindajkinsinger.com/?p=17164#comment-4566 I’m beginning to relate choice to our bearing the image of God. We say that God is self-existent. This means, in part, that He chooses his own character. That he chooses to be good and loving is huge, especially from our perspective. For us to reflect Him in His creation, we too must choose the character He has chosen. I don’t know how the idea works at God’s level, but for us, choosing from the midst of hard realities is what makes our choices valuable.

]]> By: Lucinda Miller https://lucindajkinsinger.com/the-problem-of-choice/#comment-4562 Wed, 09 Oct 2019 16:27:25 +0000 https://lucindajkinsinger.com/?p=17164#comment-4562 In reply to Jules.

I really like the aspect you bring out of human dignity. Thank you for your comment! :)

]]> By: Jules https://lucindajkinsinger.com/the-problem-of-choice/#comment-4561 Wed, 09 Oct 2019 14:04:41 +0000 https://lucindajkinsinger.com/?p=17164#comment-4561 I’ve had many of the same thoughts. I came to some measure of peace with these things when I realized this: Choice gives a human being a dignity that no other part of creation has, especially when he/she chooses well. Also, I am thankful that we do not have to understand God in order to love and to obey him. Thank you for choosing honest writing over “political correctness.” :)

]]> By: Christiana Rejoice https://lucindajkinsinger.com/the-problem-of-choice/#comment-4560 Tue, 08 Oct 2019 19:48:15 +0000 https://lucindajkinsinger.com/?p=17164#comment-4560 Thank you, Luci. So many good thoughts here

]]> By: Lucinda Miller https://lucindajkinsinger.com/the-problem-of-choice/#comment-4559 Tue, 08 Oct 2019 19:46:45 +0000 https://lucindajkinsinger.com/?p=17164#comment-4559 In reply to Carol Ann Luce.

Choice is the problem here. The discussion the post brought out was not whether or not God created a perfect world, but why he created a world that allows us to choose wrongly and mess up perfection.

]]> By: Lucinda Miller https://lucindajkinsinger.com/the-problem-of-choice/#comment-4558 Tue, 08 Oct 2019 19:45:27 +0000 https://lucindajkinsinger.com/?p=17164#comment-4558 In reply to Rosanna.

Choice is definitely the issue here. Like I said in my post, without choice, love would not be love, but something else. I like how you bring out the concept of force and its incompatibility with love. That brings a richer depth to the discussion.

]]> By: Carol Ann Luce https://lucindajkinsinger.com/the-problem-of-choice/#comment-4557 Tue, 08 Oct 2019 17:16:18 +0000 https://lucindajkinsinger.com/?p=17164#comment-4557 I have to agree with the posting from Rosanne, he did create the perfect world. Adam and Eve weren’t happy with this and wanted more, so we pay for this. Even though God sacrificed his only son, we still have the freedom of choice. Where we are able to learn from our own mistakes and also from others.
God bless you.

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