Ok, my friends who are theology nerds, I developed this in response to a criticism of Reformed Theology:
God is sovereign over everything in His Creation, including human free agency/will.
God the Father lovingly ordained that God the Son shall be glorified as Lord, Judge, and Savior over free beings made in His image, so that some would be mercifully and graciously made fit through God the Spirit for eternal communion and others justly condemned to eternal separation.
Go back and study the 3 wills of God and Augustine’s States of Man.
In the meantime, please consider this analogy:
The Divine Software Development Project: A Reformed Theology Analogy
Imagine the entirety of creation as an immense software development project, with God as the Master Developer. This cosmic application, "Project Glorification," is designed to exalt the Son as Lord, Judge, and Savior[1].
The Development Framework:
1. Decretive Will (Core Architecture):
This is the fundamental architecture of the project, determining every aspect and outcome with absolute certainty. It's the sovereign, efficacious will by which God brings to pass whatever He pleases[2]. Like a perfectly designed system architecture, nothing can ultimately frustrate or alter this will.
2. Preceptive Will (User Interface Guidelines):
This represents God's revealed commandments and moral law[3]. It's akin to a comprehensive set of user interface guidelines, detailing how users should interact with the application. However, unlike the decretive will, users can choose to violate these guidelines, though not without consequences.
3. Will of Disposition (Developer's Desire):
This reflects God's attitude or disposition towards His creation[4]. It's similar to a developer's preferences for how users should engage with the software, even if He permits actions contrary to these preferences to serve His ultimate purposes.
User Roles:
1. The Elect (Authorized Users): Users chosen by the Developer to receive special access privileges[5].
2. The Reprobate (Standard Users): Users interacting with the software within standard parameters[6].
User Experience Levels (Augustine's States):
1. Pre-Fall State (Posse non peccare): Initial user state, with potential for error-free interaction[7].
2. Fallen State (Non posse non peccare): State where users invariably trigger software errors[8].
3. Regenerate State (Posse peccare): Partially restored state, with improved but not perfect stability[9].
4. Glorified State (Non posse peccare): Final, flawless user experience[10].
The Holy Spirit as System Optimizer:
The Holy Spirit functions as a divine system optimizer for the Elect, enhancing their interaction with the software[11]:
- Exclusive Implementation: Applied solely at the Master Developer's discretion[12].
- Transformative Power: Initiates a comprehensive overhaul of the user's interface and interaction[13].
- Enhanced Comprehension: Grants deeper understanding of the User Interface Guidelines[14].
- Direct Communication Channel: Establishes real-time, two-way communication with the Developer[15].
- Progressive Optimization: Initiates ongoing user refinement[16].
- Irrevocable Implementation: Once applied, it cannot be removed[17].
- Fruit-Bearing Subroutines: Activates new subroutines producing "fruit of the Spirit" outputs[18].
Development Processes:
The application employs advanced procedural generation techniques, creating a dynamic user experience that accounts for individual choices while ensuring the Developer's decretive will is never compromised[19].
User Interactions:
All users make real choices with real consequences, interacting with the User Interface (Preceptive Will). However, these choices always align with the Core Architecture's (Decretive Will) purposes, even when they violate the User Interface Guidelines[20].
Project Outcome:
"Project Glorification" fulfills its intended purpose, demonstrating the Developer's unmatched skill, showcasing both mercy and justice[21].
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References:
[1]: Philippians 2:9-11 (Lord), John 5:22-23 (Judge), Acts 4:12 (Savior)
[2]: Ephesians 1:11, Daniel 4:35
[3]: Psalm 19:7-11, 2 Timothy 3:16-17
[4]: Ezekiel 33:11, 1 Timothy 2:4
[5]: Ephesians 1:4-5, Romans 8:29-30
[6]: Romans 9:22-23, 1 Peter 2:8
[7]: Genesis 1:31, 2:25
[8]: Romans 5:12, 3:23
[9]: Romans 7:15-25, Galatians 5:17
[10]: 1 John 3:2, Revelation 21:27
[11]: John 14:26, 16:13-14
[12]: John 3:8, 1 Corinthians 12:11
[13]: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ezekiel 36:26-27
[14]: 1 Corinthians 2:12-14, John 16:13
[15]: Romans 8:26-27, Galatians 4:6
[16]: Philippians 1:6, 2:13
[17]: John 10:28-29, Romans 8:38-39
[18]: Galatians 5:22-23, John 15:5
[19]: Proverbs 16:9, 19:21
[20]: Philippians 2:12-13, Acts 4:27-28
[21]: Romans 9:22-23, Ephesians 2:7
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