All -
It seems that we are not of one mind with regards the issue of Our Heavenly Father's foreknowledge verses that which He preordained.
Let us see if we can agree on the definitions:
1. Foreknowledge - He knows all that will happen, before it happens - and it cannot change.
2. Preordained - Specific events that He planned and executed as part of His Plan for Salvation.
Whether, we all agree, on the above definitions - there is another aspect that Our Heavenly Father has stated He has done:
3. Predetermined - He prepares the paths that we must all walk in (that includes everyone, not just His Elect in this Age of Grace, or those in the Old Testament who were His Prophets, etc).
I think that some of us are referring to 3 above, and I believe this gets lost in discussing either or both 1 & 2 above.
I have a son who is unhappy and as I cannot live his life for him or make his choices for him, I pray earnestly for him (and ask, seek and knock on His door, each and every day without ceasing, that He change my son and give Him Life), knowing that He prepares my sons steps that he should walk in them, and that only He can enable my son to change his attitude and lifestyle. Whatever I do, or not do, is not the issue. The way my son currently lives his life, is entirely the responsibility of Our Heavenly Father; and yes, my son, is accountable for his life. Our Heavenly Father has predetermined the steps that we all must take each and every day.
To me, 3 above, includes the steps of rapists, etc, in that, they had to walk the steps they did, and the circumstances which were outside of the rapists' control, so the choice these rapists made, could not be other than they were.
What is the end game? Will not Our Heavenly Father cleanse and save these rapists, and will they not truly repent of all their sins? Will Our Heavenly Father not heal and save those that have been raped?
We all agree that raping is sinful and wrong.
Ray stated, that given the same circumstances, we would all have done as Adam, or as Eve. If we follow that principle, could we honestly know for sure, that given the same lifestyle and circumstances of these rapists, we would not do the same.
We all accept that evil is necessary for His Plan to make us all into His image.
The Scriptures tell us that He makes vessels of Honour and Dishonour.
We know that only in Him and by Him, are any of us able to not sin.
I have recently become a Vegan, as I have discovered how the animals that we all eat are treated - and I am wondering why I did not do this earlier, as Daniel lived like this, and so did all who lived before the flood.
I have seen footage of lions, living peacefully with tigers and bears, and I have seen dogs kiss fish in lakes and vice versa - and I have seen how happy freed pigs, cows, chickens are when they are free to roam; and I am amazed by all of this - and I am wondering, perhaps, this is how we all lived prior to the flood.
I hope I have helped some of us a little, and not caused any confusion, offense, or division.
Kind Regards.
George