Is God a Freethinker? Exploring the Divine Mind
The question of whether God is a freethinker has been a subject of philosophical and theological debate for centuries. This exploration involves the concept inspired by Euthyphro’s Dilemma: “Does God do what is objectively moral, or is objective morality what God does?” In other words, does God know and follow pre-established ‘rules’ of morality because He is good, or can God do anything He wants, and because He is God, His actions automatically inherit the label of being good?
Exploring God's Omnipotence and Will
Some believe in a third option that incorporates both: God is by nature good, and both His actions and thoughts determine what is moral. However, this third option begins to infringe on the notion that God is omnipotent, implying that He is now limited to doing only what is good. This would mean that unless 'bad' thoughts are permissible, God is not free to think anything He wants.
This conundrum raises questions about the nature of God's freedom and His ability to think freely. It underscores the complexity of the divine mind and the constraints that come with omnipotence.
The Influence of Sin
Moreover, all sin corrupts all abilities to think, act, feel, and will freely. Humans, on the other hand, are often clouded by sin, which affects their capacity for free thought and action. In contrast, God is the only being unaffected by sin. Therefore, not only is He a freethinker but He is the only one truly capable of being a freethinker.
The Divine Spark and Human Goodness
Great ideas and good thoughts in human history emanate from God. Without the divine spark of the image of God in humans, our mere physical and electrical functions would make us insignificant. The term 'Father God' that Jesus prayed to is a metaphor for perfect goodness. Within the constraints of remaining loving, virtuous, and wise, there are no creative_limits. Therefore, one could argue that yes, the metaphor of God is that of a goodness-based freethinker but not a perverse one.
Transforming Humanity Through Goodness
Our yearning for and practicing goodness transforms us into healthy human beings, transcending our animal nature. Goodness involves a mix of qualities such as transcendent love, virtue, and wisdom.
Transcendent Love
Transcendent love is a free gift that hopes for the virtuous betterment of the inner child-chooser within ourselves and others. It is unconditional and frees us and others of our fears, allowing us to gain confidence, understanding, and skills without being angry or defensive.
Virtue
Virtue includes qualities such as truth, wisdom, prudence, fearlessness, trustworthiness, self-restraint, forgiveness, organization, cleanliness, care, principles, generosity, humility, courage, and praiseworthiness. These qualities help us navigate life and relationships effectively.
Wisdom
Wisdom guides us to success by helping us avoid traps and using accumulated insights into what works and does not work in life and relationships. It involves a deep understanding of life’s mechanisms and the ability to make wise decisions.
In conclusion, the concept of God as a freethinker is complex and multifaceted. Whether God can act freely or is constrained by His inherent goodness, the idea of goodness serves as the foundation for human transformation and spiritual elevation. Understanding the nature of God and His relationship with us can provide profound insights into the nature of human goodness and moral behavior.