Freewill..?

My son asked me an interesting question about freewill today. And, no, it's probably not what you're thinking if you've entertained this notion before. We've already hashed, rehashed and refried the idea of whether or not humans have freewill. I argue that question on the side of the fence that says yes we do have it. For me, it's an big piece of the puzzle of why Adam and Eve, and us as well, are allowed to be tempted. My son argues that it's at least possible our choices are based so heavily on our experiences, environment, and upbringing that our decisions are made before we consciously make them.

But here was his question. Does God have freewill? My first reaction was, of course. He's God. He can decide to do whatever he wants. My son argued however that because God can only do what's right that automatically limits His options. Yes, God is all powerful, but you can't change his nature, he can only do what is wise and righteous. So the first part of his argument is that God's options are limited, in that respect, and secondly, because He's all-knowing and knows the future, He, also already knows what decision He is going to make now. In other words, since He can see the future, He knew he was going to create the earth and us, so He had no choice at a certain moment in time but to do it and get the ball rolling. MJC said it better and if I didn't explain it like he meant it, I'm sure he'll jump in here and correct me.

So, what do you think? Does God have freewill or is He locked into His decisions? Is there an instance in the Bible where God changed His mind? I already brought up Jonah and the people in Ninevah, who unlike the people in Sodom and Gomorrah, repented and turned away God's wrath. But, as MJC asked, was God really sitting there on pins and needles waiting for the people to repent because He didn't know the outcome, or did He know if He sent Jonah they would repent? God went to a lot of trouble to get Jonah there, so I would assume He knew they were going to repent if Jonah went. So, did God really change His mind?

I think there's more to freewill than the ability to change your mind, of course. It's more about being able to choose different options when they're presented to you. Because of MJC's first point, that God cannot perform an unrighteous act, it would almost seem that our very nature which is sinful and gives us the ability to freely choose good or evil, allows us a type of freewill that God himself doesn't have. Is that possible?

I have a headache now.

Just a Note...

Never, NEVER buy a satellite system for your computer. Mine has been out for about three days now due to cloud cover and rain. On my roof are two satellite dishes; one for the computer and one for the TV. The one for the computer only works when it's sunny from here to California; the one for the TV only goes out when it's hailing on the roof. I don't know why one is so much better than other but it's very frustrating, she said as she typed on the computer in the local library. (sigh)

Drlobojo gave me an idea, however, for my next post. As soon as I finish reading a book, I'll post a book review on it. Assuming my computer is up by then...

Saint to the Skeptics

I know I haven't posted in awhile. It's been crazy around my house between me working extra hours, my Mom's birthday on the first and MJC's birthday on the 4th, (he's friggin' 17!!! where did the time go?) and trying to make arrangements for people to come lay new floors for me upstairs, and fix the stove, and keep up with the yard, and MJC's homeschooling. Geez! It's hard to find time to post; much easier to let someone else pick the topic and then just comment on it. :) I have a whole new respect for all you bloggers who do it on a regular basis!

Anyway, did anyone else read Time magazine's cover story on Mother Teresa? I know it's not uncommon, in fact it's probably very common, for believers to struggle with issues of faith, but to read about her struggle with it was extremely interesting. It wasn't just a struggle she had for a few months, but for years, something she took with her to confession even, and yet even though she had this emptiness and darkness inside of her, she still managed to accomplish amazing things for the poor and not let go of the original vision God had given her.

Here's an example of what she said in her own words. I'm never sure how to cite stuff, so suffice it to say, I'm quoting what she said as found in the Sept. 3 issue of Time magazine.

"Lord, my God, who am I that You should forsake me? The Child of your Love--and now become as the most hated one -- the one--You have thrown away as unwanted--unloved. I call, I cling, I want--and there is no One to answer--no One on Whom I can cling--no, No One.---Alone...Where is my Faith--even deep down right in there is nothing, but emptiness & darkness--My God--how painful is this unknown pain--I have no Faith--I dare not utter the words & thoughts that crowd in my heart--& make me suffer untold agony.
So many unanswered questions live within me afraid to uncover them--because of the blasphemy--If there be God--please forgive me--When I try to raise my thoughts to Heaven--there is such convicting emptiness that those very thoughts return like sharp knives & hurt my very soul.--I am told God loves me--and yet the reality of darkness & coldness & emptiness is so great that nothing touches my soul. Did I make a mistake in surrendering blindly to the Call of the Sacred Heart?"

Strange words, it would seem, from someone up for sainthood. She found a way to deal with this problem, by accepting, even embracing, this dark side of her and found a lesson in it. For those of you reading who have had doubts, how did you get through it and to the other side?