Reasonable Faith Podcast Question of the Week #923: The Chosen and Theological Fatalism
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Jan 23, 2025 Dive into the fascinating dynamics of divine foreknowledge and human free will, especially through the lens of Judas Iscariot's betrayal. Explore how prophecy interacts with personal choice, challenging the notion that outcomes are predetermined. The discussion uncovers the delicate balance between divine sovereignty and moral responsibility, showcasing the theological implications of Judas's actions. Unravel the complexities that arise when media interpretations collide with deep-rooted doctrinal beliefs.
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Theological Fatalism
- Theological fatalism wrongly assumes prophecies make events necessary.
- It's possible for Judas to choose differently, but then the prophecy wouldn't have been made.
Composite vs. Divided Sense
- Medieval theologians distinguished between necessity in the composite sense and the divided sense.
- It's impossible for the prophecy to be true and Judas not betray Jesus (composite sense), but it's possible for Judas not to betray Jesus (divided sense).
Foreordination and Free Will
- Foreordination means specifying an end in advance, not causal determinism.
- God's foreordination doesn't remove free will; Judas could have chosen differently, changing God's foreknowledge and foreordination.
