Question: I was reading “Knowing God 101″ and am confused when the writer states God’s will is determined but it is also dynamic. To me “determined” and “dynamic” are opposites. Could it mean that God always knew before he spoke that he was going to change his mind?

Answer: God’s will is “determined” in the sense that God knows everything that is going to happen, including all contingencies. In other words, He knows the actual events that happen, from the smallest detail (such as those that happen in your own life) to the largest event (such as something that may happen between nations). And he also knows everything that could happen. Nothing takes God by surprise because he knows what’s going to happen.

And it isn’t a matter of God knowing “in advance” that things will happen. God is not bound by time. He exists in an everlasting present. So he doesn’t have to “predict” what is going to happen. He knows because all events–past, present and future–are within his eternal view. This is all part of what is known as the sovereignty of God

Now, just because God knows what is going to happen doesn’t mean that he determines all events. Yes, God directs people and he directs nations. But not everything is pre-determined. This is the “dynamic” part of God’s will, and it comes out of his grace and mercy. God loves us so much that he gives us the freedom to choose whether or not to accept him, and then once we are in a personal relationship with him, whether or not to obey him.

However, just because God has given us free will doesn’t mean that we will ever make choices that take him by surprise. Even when our choices disappointment him, he lets us make them. Of course, God does not let us off the hook. There are always consequences to our choices, both good and bad.

Overall, the best way for us to stay in God’s will is to do those things that please him. And the best way to know those things is to read and study his Word. That’s the primary way God communicates with us. Likewise, we need to go to the Lord in prayer daily. That’s the primary way we communicate with him. And, as we see in Scripture, God responds to our prayers in a dynamic way, perhaps even “changing his mind.” Of course, because God is sovereign, he knows that he is going to change his mind!

We hope this helps sort out the difference between “determined” and “dynamic” with it comes to God’s will.