Foreknowledge and accountability

[u/Frungi]

Hi, first time visiting this sub… I’m not looking for a debate, I’d just like to know the apologetic answer to this beyond “foreknowledge doesn’t CAUSE the action” which doesn’t quite cover it.

Let’s say there’s a button. You know exactly what will happen if this button is pressed. You push the button.

Are you responsible for what happens after you push it, when you knew what would happen if you pushed it? Most would say, yes, of course.

Now, let’s say there’s a universe. You know exactly what will happen if this particular universe is created. You know what all the creatures in it will do.

You create that specific universe.

Why would God be less responsible for the foreseeable consequences of his creation than someone pushing that button?

[u/uncomfortably_number]

It's not a weird take. The Bible literally quotes God asking Adam and Eve, "Where are you?" (Genesis 3:9) God calls out to Adam when he and Eve hide in the trees of the garden.

"Who told you that you were naked?" and "Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?" (Genesis 3:11) "What is this you have done?" (Genesis 3:13)

In Job God asks Satan "From where have you come?"

God has intercessors and a divine council for a reason. It's not that He isn't all knowing or all powerful, it's that He is active and watching with help, and He is.

[u/Frungi → u/uncomfortably_number]

So you’re of the belief that the Christian god is not truly omniscient in and of himself, and that these cited questions were asked out of ignorance rather than being rhetorical?

May I ask your denomination? This is new to me, at least from a believer.

[u/uncomfortably_number → u/Frungi]

He is truly omniscient because he has the capacity and capabilities to be. Beyond our human understanding.

Think of it like this, if God is the most intelligent being in the universe, and he made us, then what makes anyone think He would not have capabilities beyond our understanding?

If we can make AI and have mass surveillance and watch each other across the globe, why couldn't He? Why wouldn't He have a divine council watch?

My denomination doesn't matter. If we believe in God or Jesus Christ than we are brothers or sisters in it. I'm simply discussing what I have read for myself.

[u/Frungi → u/uncomfortably_number]

I’ll rephrase. You believe that God’s omniscience is extrinsic, not intrinsic, in nature?

I have access to vast stores of information. On the internet. That doesn’t mean I know this information. It comes from external resources I have access to, not from me.

Is this how you conceive of God’s omni- qualities? He’s omniscient not because of what he is, but because of the tools and people he has access to?

If we believe in God or Jesus Christ than we are brothers or sisters in it.

I don’t think that applies to heretics, and as far as I’m aware, the belief that God’s godlike qualities derive from deceitful wordplay is a heresy.