If God created man knowing that the heart of man is evil, and, if man does not have a choice to repent.....then every time a lost person dies and goes to hell, is it God's fault?
Think about this before you answer.
If God creates an evil man, and denies him even the oppurtunity to repent, is it the man's fault he goes to Hell, or is it God's?
John,
My question would be, where do you get the idea that God created an evil man? Adam and Eve were created as innocent without a sin nature but capable of choice.
I don't think that every new human is created by God in the Genesis 1-2 sense of the term.
But they are conceived and have a sin nature. God is never "at fault" when a person goes to hell. All are sinners deserving of hell.
Aquinas does teach on animals not havin souls so I really cant speak to my 3 Bulldogs LOL however as for folks that support Doctrines of Grace Salvation theology.....of which I am one, we believe that Christs death on the cross is sufficient to wash away the sins of anyone, all they have to do is believe in Christ as Lord & Savior. Now I cant tell you why God elects some to salvation, that is a mystery quite frankly....I can venture a guess but that would be an opinion on my part. However I am grateful that I am one of his selected ones because I couldn't have gotten there all by myself. So rather than criticizing election, I sing it's praises which John Newton describes better than I ever could in Amazing Grace...
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
God does create man knowing...I'm assuming you would agree with that.
Man does have a choice to repent.
God doesn't deny the opportunity to repent.
If we "all deserve Hell" then there none of course deserve heaven. I'm assuming that some are shown mercy. Be given mercy doesn't make anyone deserve heaven.
He doesn't "deny" it to anyone. All that come to Jesus will be raised up in the last day. (John 6:37)
Yes and no. We are not as evil as we can be. We though are all equal even in regards to deserving hell. (James 2:10)
Depends on what you are meaning as I said above. You are not as evil as Charles Manson. But as far as deserving hell, we are all equally deserving.
This is way off the OP, but we were in Adam as, in a sense, our representative in terms of inheriting the sin nature. It's never used in terms of us being created.