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Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Predestination vs Freewill

Have you ever wondered if the life you led was already programmed by someone all-powerful? Did you ever wondered that your future is written? Or do you really have a choice? What is choice anyway? Is the person with whom you are going to marry already known by One?
Let me quote an extract from a parody.

During a debate between the believer of Predestination and Freewill, a third party person went to the predestination group. When he was asked the reason for his coming, he replied "I come on my freewill." The group then told him, that he cannot come on his freewill. When he went to the second group, he gave the answer "I was sent by another group." To which come the reply, "No, you cannot come, you have to come on your freewill." Now the this guy is quite in a dilemma.

I have this confusion after watching the blockbuster movies "The Matrix Trilogy" (10 - 15 times)
Though the hero 'Neo' doesn't believe in 'fate crap' and only in his choice, but did that really matter when he meets the Oracle? If the Oracle knew what Neo is going to decide, then where is Neo's choice or freewill?

Now consider one scenario. A certain person died due to an accident. Now is the death caused by God or him? Did God determine the timing of his death? Or if he had been careful, could he avoid that death? For the sake of argument, is there anything like accident or is everything planned?

Did God determine everything happening on earth? Who will be your spouse? Who will be the new government and the minister et al? Did He determine the result of battle and wars? If so, then where is your freewill?

As a Christian, I will point out many reference from the scripture regarding this idea. For a start,
"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." Eph 1:4.

Now, how do you explain this statement? Did God chose us even before the creation of the Heaven and Earth?????
Where is freewill? Did Adam and Eve really got a choice to do the right thing i.e not to eat the forbidden fruit? Or was they control(programmed) to sin?
Take the case of Judas. Did Judas has a choice to do the right thing? Or was he programmed? Jesus clearly stated that he was to be betrayed.
"24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." Matt 26:24.
How will you explain the last sentence? Is Judas capable of not being born??
Another very good reason for predestination is found in the epistle of Paul to the Romans which reads
"Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' " [h] 21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for disposal of refuse?" Rom: 9 : 20

So, are we mere puppets whose strings are controlled by God?

Let me add one more popular verse, "But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said. "
So it was all God's play in case of Ramseses II and Moses. Right?

Then, if everything is programmed and planned all along, then why don't we just sit and enjoy the ride?
"Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this: Psalm 37

Wow, do I need not do nothing???


I am not going to explain my beliefs here. In fact I do not know what to believe. So if there's anyone out there who could shed some light, I 'd really appreciate that.

1 comment:

Shuakshuali said...

very interesting! I have been fascinated with the exact same issue for quite a while now. One of the best explanations I've heard goes somewhat like this:
Life is like a deck of cards. Predestination is the cards you're dealt. Free will lies in how you play with the cards you're given :)