[Darth_Bill]

Very thorny issue.

If God has foreknowledge of everything, then he is creating individuals that will do nothing but suffer on earth or in hell. (Unless you don't quite have that creating issue in that we always were and God allows us to act.)

However, this also blows a lot of peoples views about the fall out of the water. I mean, if he knew Adam would eat the fruit, then he is responsible for all this. (unless your view is that it was necessary.)

There are pitfalls and issues with both views.

To think that God is surprised. In a pure "surprised" level, no. I don't think there is much new under the sun. I think he's been around long enough and had enough experience to know what is possible.

I also don't believe in predestination. That puts an aweful lot of pain and suffering right on his doorstop. I do believe in fore-ordination. I think the prophets were so called, as he knew them before they were born, and knew their personalities. I think the same applies to us but perhaps on not such a grand level.