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Does God know everything?

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Ian:
Hello,
I am having troubles with the concept of omniscience. I read that it "wouldn't be fair (just) because then God knew that people would go to hell before He created them."

I know I'm not supposed to post links, but I would greatly appreciate it if I could just post the text from one. It can explain the problem more than I can, and perhaps you will understand why I am confused.

"It is assumed by many Christians that God knows everything.  A study of the Word of God will show that this assumption is without scriptural foundation.  The Bible makes many simple statements that limit God's knowledge.  There would be no sense to such passages if we take them figuratively.  There would be no object in God saying such things about Himself if they were untrue.  God finds out things concerning the free moral actions and decisions of people just as we do (Gen. 6:5-7; 11:5-7; 18:19,21; 22:12; 2 Chron. 16:9; Zech. 4:10; Job 12:22; 24:23; Ps. 7:9; 44:21; Psa. 139:1-6; Pro. 24:12; Jer. 17:10; Ezek. 11:5; Rom. 8:27; 1 Thes. 2:4). Several times God, Himself, said of certain events that they did not even come into His mind (Jer. 7:31; 19:5; 32:35; 44:21).  God did not know beforehand that men would become so wicked (Gen. 6:5-7); that they would plan Babel (Gen. 11:5-7); that Sodom would be so wicked (Gen. 18:21, 26, 28-32); that Abraham would actually proceed to offer up Isaac (Gen. 22:12).  God did not know whether it would take one or two or three signs to make Israel believe in Him (Ex. 4:1-12); or whether testing Israel would cause them to obey Him, or not (Dt. 8:2). He did not know that Israel would backslide as far as she did (Dt. 31:21; 32:19-29; Isa. 59:15-19).  Furthermore, He searches to find men whom He can bless (2 Chron. 16:9); He discovers deep things (Job 12:22); tries the hearts and reins of men so that He may know them (Psa. 7:9; 26:2; 44:21; 139:1-6, 23-24; Jer. 17:10; 1 Chron. 28:9; 29:17; 2 Chron. 32:31; Rom. 8:27; 1 Cor. 2:10; 1 Thes. 2:4; Rev. 2:23), proving or testing men for the same reason (Ex. 16:4; 20:20; Dt. 8:2, 16; 13:3; Jud. 2:22; 3:1,4; Psa. 17:3; 66:10; 81:7).
God does not personally take care of every detail of His vast business in His Creation, universe, and Kingdom. God sends out messengers (i.e. angels) throughout the Earth to find out for Him what He wants to know, the same as the head of any other business would be likely to do, so that plans may be made and actions taken accordingly. They report to Him constantly of all they are in charge of, as seen in Gen. 18:21-22; Dan. 10:13-21; 11:1; 12:1; Zech. 1:7-11; 6:1-8; Matt. 18:10-11; Heb. 1:14; 2:2; Rev. 1:1; 7:1-3; 8:2-13; 9:1; 14:6-20; 15:1-8; 16:1-21; 18:21; 22:6, 8-9, 16.  His agents help Him throughout the universe doing missions for him.  Angels are responsible to God for carrying out His will in infinite detail concerning the billions of planets, stars, suns, etc. and among all the free moral agents (i.e. human beings, angels, demons) in the world.  God does not personally do everything that is done in all acts and events, nor has He known, elected, chosen, or predestined all the acts and events from all eternity past."

"We have no statement in the entire Bible saying that God knows or even would like to know all acts and particular events of all vast creations of free moral agents from all eternity past; or that He has fixed decrees choosing and predestinating all the thoughts, acts, and deeds of free wills from all eternity past to all eternity future."

Just need some help with this. Going through sad time right now...

Dave in Tenn:
Yes, God knows everything, past present and future.  There is no such thing as 'free-will' or 'free moral agency' and God does not need to 'discover' things.  Indeed, we are the ones who do the learning and discovering.

More on the main page "Lake of Fire" series, part 15, in four parts.

Joel:
I see a lot of scriptures in the text, but nothing in the scriptures that proves that God doesn't know everything.
I'm convinced that the Father planned every thing down to the very last detail before Jesus ever said "Let there be".

Joel

Ricky:
It would be impossible for God not to know these things about His own creation. It would be impossible for Him to be God that way.  Ricky

dave:
Yes

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