Thank you for the question on the Bible in God’s plan, “Which came first, God or the Bible? If God gave all free will, then the Bible & church mean nothing to God or to our faith, right?”
As I pondered this question, I was inclined not to answer this question for it seemed that this may fit into the category of what some respondents call a “trolling” question. To avoid being judgmental since one can’ read one’s motive, let me share from a Christian perspective to one’s question. The answer that I give does not represent other Christians or churches.
A. The question on which came first: God or the Bible.
The answer is God. God has no beginning and no end. He is eternal being. In Exodus 3, reveals himself to Moses as I AM WHO I AM or YAHWEH. He is the ever present God who transcends time.
Genesis 1:1 says this as many people know, “In the beginning God created the heavens and earth. (A searchable online Bible in over 150 versions and 50 languages). Bible citations are from the New International Version. The “Bible” is a collection of the revelations of God to mankind, being preserved in what is known as 66 Books of the Bible. The Bible has an existence in time for the writer of Hebrew says this, “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe” (NIV). The text states that God SPOKE through the prophets at various times and in various way which form the Old Testament books. He further states that in the last days, God SPOKE through his Son, Jesus Christ. The Apostles were men who witnessed the words and works of Jesus that is recorded in the Gospels and the remainder of the New Testament is about the spread of the Gospel and how the followers of Jesus are to live. I am most certain that one already knew this that God came before the Bible.
B. The question of “free will” and the revealed will of God through the Bible.
In my observation of the Biblical text, there is no such thing as “absolute free will” of humans. Humans are given choices, options to take but those choices are limited. Humans do not have absolute free as to drink deadly poison and not die or the absolute free will of never physically aging or dying as that person lives on earth. Humans may prolong physical life but humans do not have the power to overcome death otherwise this will be a very crowded world.
God gave humans free will to chose to obey his commands for his/her betterment. The choice of disobeying the commands of God brings negative consequences for that person and to others. The Scriptures are given to the Jewish people for their betterment and blessings IN the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy 28 lists the blessings and the curses for obeying or disobeying the commands of God by the Jewish people. The Scriptures in the New Testament as I have already stated are instructions on how the followers of Jesus are to live in this world and what is the purpose in this world. This is stated in Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28:18–20 if one wants to read it. Followers of Jesus are to love God and to love others as the Greatest Commandment states. Thus the Scriptures gives the commands and principles of how followers can live a life that is pleasing to God on earth. Faith is based on the revealed will/word of God whereby his followers accept them as being true from the Living God since God is holy and righteous. He declares truth, not falsehood.
In other words, true “free will” is living in light of the revealed revelation of God for man’s joy and fellowship with God. It is God’s desire that humans would enjoy him forever before sin entered into the world. “Free will” in living in sin is being free to sin but also being free to suffer its consequences of pain and suffering and ultimately death. Adam and Eve made their choice and saw the consequences of their decision. The choice of “free will” is life or death. The choice of choosing God’s Son, Jesus Christ for salvation from sin or the choice of choosing one’s own ways leads to death.
SUMMARY: Each person has limited free will in his/her choices, but not absolute free will. The choice of life and death is given to person whether he believes and acts upon the revealed Scriptures or rejects the revealed Scriptures from God.
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