as a computer programmer...

[Paul Hazelwood]

Don't get me wrong, I get what can be done with computers, that's why I asked if a programmer wrote the greatest program ever and the programmed computer flashed a message on the screen  "I love you"  do you think it does actually love the programmer?

As the metaphor relates to a human who is capable of being both programmed and of loving, I'd say absolutely.

That is the miracle,  a path that is known by God, yet created in such a way that God will know that love is genuine because he is teaching his children the way they should go.

[Seth]

Don't get me wrong, I get what can be done with computers, that's why I asked if a programmer wrote the greatest program ever and the programmed computer flashed a message on the screen  "I love you"  do you think it does actually love the programmer?

As the metaphor relates to a human who is capable of being both programmed and of loving, I'd say absolutely.

That is the miracle,  a path that is known by God, yet created in such a way that God will know that love is genuine because he is teaching his children the way they should go.

That's the real kicker: God planned for their love to be genuine.  :HeartThrob:

[WhiteWings]

Jesus saves  :laughing7:

[jabcat]

Jesus saves  :laughing7:

Ain't that the truth!

[Kimberlaina]

I've used this same analogy when trying to explain destiny to a computer engineer  :thumbsup:

The point isn't about whether or not a machine can love.  The idea here is that people believe that we determine our own fate because it *feels* that way from our perspective -- you can reason something out and make a decision, so the decision *feels* like it was yours.  However, God made your brain, so God knew that input x would lead to decision y.  It explains why prophets can prophesy, why God can make plans, etc. because He knows how your brain works and what you will do in any given situation -- in fact, He made you to do just that.

[trettep]

I've used this same analogy when trying to explain destiny to a computer engineer  :thumbsup:

The point isn't about whether or not a machine can love.  The idea here is that people believe that we determine our own fate because it *feels* that way from our perspective -- you can reason something out and make a decision, so the decision *feels* like it was yours.  However, God made your brain, so God knew that input x would lead to decision y.  It explains why prophets can prophesy, why God can make plans, etc. because He knows how your brain works and what you will do in any given situation -- in fact, He made you to do just that.

That is exactly what I was trying to explain by that.  I'm glad you got that.

Paul

[whyiloveitaly.com]

This is a fascinating conversation. Sometimes I get the feeling that God is, little by little, revealing His creation and our place in it, even through technology.
Today, we are able to understand many things about man and his nature that could not be understood before because we were not given the tools or analogies.

Jesus said that the coming (or presence) of the Son of Man would be like lightning, which would be seen from east to west. This seems to be a global thing, with salvation and revelation across entire populations, not just individuals....

[Kimberlaina]

Today, we are able to understand many things about man and his nature that could not be understood before because we were not given the tools or analogies.

I wholeheartedly agree.  I feel that technology is God's way of revealing Himself to us as a Creator -- as we learn what it is like to be a creator, we begin to understand how difficult it is to wield power and use it for good rather than evil.  We face decisions about stem cells, cloning, animal research, abortion, and all sorts of other ethical issues now that did not exist before (or hadn't been studied), and we are faced with the responsibility of the Creator.  It gives one a new appreciation for God, really, because we begin to see how he used his power to be a benevolent Father when we struggle so to steward our own creations this way.