Comment by jact

1 month ago

Some seem to intuit that divine freedom is in competition with creaturely freedom. The assumption is that when God is acting, that necessarily drives out the action and initiative of creatures, and vice versa. The ancient Christian conception is that human freedom cooperates (synergizes) with God. Jesus illustrates this concept most clearly, being both divine and human and fully free in both respects. This union is an essential part of the whole plan in this view, that God would be present in His own creation and not infinitely apart from it. In this model the free action and cooperation of created things is essential to accomplishing the divine purpose.

On the other hand, if God really does just determine everything, you basically get pantheism where everything is an immediate and direct expression of “God.” That sounds like atheism with steps.

12 comments

jact

Reply
lukan  1 month ago

"On the other hand, if God really does just determine everything, you basically get pantheism where everything is an immediate and direct expression of “God.” "

Yes, or mysticism. We all exist within the mind of god. I do like those concepts more to be honest, but is indeed a quite different concept from the creator up in the clouds ruling the universe.

  • jact  1 month ago

    As the other reply said neither the classical Jewish or Christian view is that God is some guy literally up in the heavens sitting around all day.

    • lukan  1 month ago

      Hm, as far as I know, it is sort of debated what the "classical christian view" is. But I certainly have seen lots of pictures from god in churches portrayed as the bearded guy up in the sky. It is definitely the common concept. Father, son and holy spirit. Plays a strong role with catholics

      6 replies →

  • 1718627440  1 month ago

    I do not think I share your view of what mysticism is, but this:

    > the creator up in the clouds ruling the universe

    is what e.g. the olympic gods were, i.e. something that Christianity decries as idols, doesn't accept to be the truth and intends to overcome.