Originally posted by Darth Sponge
why not? your argument is limiting God's power. or you're saying that God chooses to limit his own power. "made up His mind"??? what do you mean? made up his mind that his creations that deviate from his intended plan must be burned in hellfire? like, "sorry, fellas. i'd let you off with a warning, but I decided a long time ago..." and you k ...[text shortened]... Man. if He is All Knowing and All Powerful, then why create imperfection and then punish it?
If god can not 'make up His mind', decide something and then do it, without being challenged by the absurd claim that His omnipotence means He can also do the opposite thing at the same time, then...all is lost. We would have a god who is actually impotent.
Therefore, I assert that God does 'limit his own power', if that's what you want to call it.
He makes things a certain way, and therefore, that's the way they are.
If you judge that your first child is old enough to cross the street alone, and yet he gets hit by a car j-walking, you don't regret that you gave him freedom. (maybe it was too soon, but for this analogy, let's say he was 16) You are saddened of course, but being a mature adult you will still someday empower your next child the same way.
You might put up all kinds of warning systems, flashing signs and lights, but if the kid is rebellious...then he is pretty much on his own in the end. You may send someone to say 'I am the way' but your kid properly has the freedom to ridicule and ignore him. What happens next is not in your hands. Unless you choose to take all freedom away, tie the kid up at the table in front of a plate of liver, onions and lima beans, he may choose to deny your instructions at will. And the consequences of crossing the street without heeding your good training are inherent in the system.