his week, Jimmy takes on a tough subject! The question of why God would create someone he knows is going to hell is a common one, with various attempts to address it online. Most responses tend to either talk around the issue or simply dismiss it as a mystery. While we may not have definitive answers due to the infinite nature of God’s mind, we can still offer informed proposals rather than just claiming ignorance.

When focusing on the specific scenario of God creating Bob, who will freely choose to go to hell, we can consider different possibilities to explain this decision. One possibility is that there is a competing good that justifies God tolerating Bob’s choice. This could include factors like preserving free will for the sake of authentic love, showcasing God’s glory, or achieving some other unknown good.

Alternatively, it’s also possible that God’s decision is just, respecting Bob’s free will choice while ensuring fairness. However, this alone may not fully resolve the issue of why God would still create Bob despite knowing his eventual fate.

Another perspective suggests that God’s act of creating Bob, even with the knowledge of his damnation, might actually benefit Bob in some way. This could involve the belief that existence, even in hell, is preferable to non-existence. Ultimately, the plausibility of this explanation depends on personal views of hell and existence.

Furthermore, some theologians have proposed the idea that God might not create individuals who would reject salvation, potentially leading to an empty hell. This notion has been explored throughout history, with differing interpretations of biblical passages on this topic.

Considering the initial assumption that God knows Bob’s choice before creating him, theologians have distinguished between God’s knowledge of all possible and actual things. This distinction challenges the idea of God knowing the outcome of a free will decision that is never made, potentially questioning the concept of middle knowledge.

In conclusion, while the mystery surrounding God’s decisions remains, there are multiple perspectives and interpretations that attempt to shed light on the issue. Whether through competing goods, considerations of justice, potential benefits to the individual, or reevaluation of theological assumptions, the question of creating someone destined for hell reveals the complexity of divine decision-making.

Header image: Jimmy Akin via YouTube.com

---