Predestination, fate, freedom?

[MoreCoffee]

I am still wondering why some say that God caused the tidal wave. Saint Augustine taught that evil is the absence of the goodness that God created rather than the presence of something that is opposed to God. Saint Thomas Aquinas reasoned along the same lines to conclude that disasters are the product of the decay (removal of goodness by atrophy) due to sin's effect in creation.

Do you think of evil as something that has existence?

 

[psalms 91]

Yes, it is very real

 

[MoreCoffee]

Yes, it is very real

If it is real did God create it?

 

[ImaginaryDay2]

Does God cause the tidal wave?

In the ESV, Is. 45:7 reads "I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things."

John Piper has been noted to say that this would include God having providence over every speck of dust that floats in the air, controlling its every movement. Would you agree with 'predestination' to that degree? If I can dig up the clip, I will. Might take some time, though.

Found it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxhSr_vA0qo

 

[MoreCoffee]

Found it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxhSr_vA0qo

I have a confession to make. I do not like John Piper videos.

 

[Rens]

Does God cause the tidal wave?

No, I know that text says it and He did let the flood happen with Noah and other stuff, Sodom, but a tidal wave is the result of sin and the earth cursed and it's a birth pang. Although that stuff with Israel and then suddenly stuff happened could be true, just after a thing with Israel that president's house was destroyed. Don't believe it's all caused by God. I read those teachings. I think it's peculiar that God immediately answers with a hurricane when they had a gay march in America, but we had those things for decades and not even some more wind here, towards Dutch gay marches He's always very gracious. It could be the climate.

 

[ImaginaryDay2]

I have a confession to make. I do not like John Piper videos.

Really? Surely an answer so logical must have swayed you...

 

[MoreCoffee]

Really? Surely an answer so logical must have swayed you...

Proverbs 16:33 and Acts 4:27-28 do not teach what he says they teach.

Proverbs 16:33 In the fold of the garment the lot is thrown, but from Yahweh comes the decision.​

The verse from proverb teaches that the decision [based on dice] comes from the Lord. Not that every "dust mote" is in its place by God's eternal decree; a decree that in Calvinist theology is comprehensive down to the most fundamental particle that is in creation.

Acts 4:27-28 [27] 'This is what has come true: in this very city Herod and Pontius Pilate plotted together with the gentile nations and the peoples of Israel, against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed, [28] to bring about the very thing that you in your strength and your wisdom had predetermined should happen.​

I am not sure what John Piper thought the verses from Acts teach - something to do with predetermining everything - yet the verses are telling the story of what people did and how their plans ended up accomplishing exactly what God predetermined should happen.

Calvinistic predestination always pushes the idea of sovereignty as if it were in competition against freedom and ends with the choice (1) Either God is fully sovereign or (2) man is. But the holy scriptures present a sovereign God and free human beings without competition - though sin creates opposition.

 

[ImaginaryDay2]

Really? Surely an answer so logical must have swayed you...

I apologize the sarcasm didn't come across. I agree with your assessment.

 

[MoreCoffee]

I apologize the sarcasm didn't come across. I agree with your assessment.

It did, but for the purpose of instruction and to avoid more Piper videos I replied with some data