One of Aquinas's proofs

[Gman1]

I am a bit confused about Aquinas’s last proof. It says that God created man for a specific end. Does that mean we are all forced to go to the end that He chooses? I just want to get rid of some doubts here.
Thanks!

 

[Fauken]

A hammer was created for the end of pounding nails into a board. If someone wants to use it as a shovel, they can, but it’s against what it was designed for. That won’t however charge the original purpose of the hammer.

 

[EricPH]

Could it be that God loves each and everyone of us as he loves himself?

We have the greatest commandments also. Could these commandments have a greatest meaning for God also

 

[Gman1]

So what you mean is that we are created to go towards what we are made for, God, but Satan can use us otherwise to lead us away?

 

[Fauken]

So what you mean is that we are created to go towards what we are made for, God, but Satan can use us otherwise to lead us away?

We can abuse our purpose and go astray. Satan may tempt us, but ultimately we choose to abuse.

 

[Gman1]

Thank you for the help Fauken!

 

[Gman1]

Thank you Eric!

 

[Dan_Defender]

It points to the fact that there is a certain order in the world and nature. There is always an end. As pure chance cannot explain this, there must be a cause above nature, a supreme intelligence we call God.

 

[Hume]

A Calvinist Christian would argue that your fate is set and that to change it would be the equivalent of an all knowing creator-god either making a mistake or losing control of its creation, which cannot happen as a matter of tautology.

An atheist would argue that metaphysical purpose is a sort of special pleading as it relies on the assumption of information no one can have or even be sure exists other than the supposed god.

 

[EricPH]

It says that God created man for a specific end.

What purpose can be so great, that it would compel God to create the universe and life, knowing in advance that his son would die?

Can there be a truth so great, that possibly even God could do nothing greater?

Here is a childlike and yet profound way to test the power of the greatest commandments; when looking for a purpose for the creation of the universe and life.

Before the creation of the universe began, imagine God the Father, Son and Holy spirit looking out into the vast empty void of space. They are thinking, we have the power to create anything we want, what is the greatest good thing we can create?

God could create all the stars and planets and be the supreme builder. He could create plants; and be the unsurpassed gardener. God could create the animal kingdom; and be the best farmer. God could create children in his own image and be the greatest father. Can God create anything greater than children in his own image?

God could love each and everyone of his children as he loves himself. Could God love us more than he loves himself?

Could there be any greater purpose for God to create the universe and life?

If God loves each and everyone of us as he loves himself; are we given the greatest commandments to love as God loves, can we do anything greater?

This is only a collection of words to challenge the mind to think, search for some greater purpose for creation.

 

[EricPH]

So what you mean is that we are created to go towards what we are made for, God,

When Jesus spent his time on Earth, he would have lived by the greatest commandments. Does that mean he could do nothing greater as a man? Or does it mean he could do nothing greater as God?

Jesus said; that if you know me, you know the Father, the Father and I are ‘One’.

How did Jesus love all his neighbours as he loves himself? How did Jesus hold out his hands on the cross, and love the man with the hammer and nails as he loves himself?
We know Jesus prayed forgive them Father, but to love seems so far above just forgiving.

Good Friday tomorrow, and I reflect with a heavy heart that my sins also put Jesus on the cross. But it must mean that Jesus loves each and everyone of us as he loves himself; if he died for me and you.