Kristi, then, brings up another good question. Why did God have to give up his son, in the first place? After all, if he has the power to do anything, then, couldn't there have been another way? So why would he choose this way? Why would there have to be a sacrifice, at all, since he can do anything?
Once again, this goes beyond our understanding. All of this doesn't make sense. However, that's only true from a human's perspective. Why would we expect to understand all that God does, or completely understand why he does it the way that he does, when we have a limited ability to comprehend? Should we be surprised that some things don't make sense? If we completely understood all things, then we'd be like God. However, we, at least know, that we're not like him. So, confusion, shouldn't come as a surprise.
The final problem, that Kristi has with this verse, is the fact that salvation is based on belief, or faith. She has a problem with this because, once again, it doesn't make sense. Why is it based on belief? How is that fair? Why isn't it based on a person's intentions?
As is the case with the other issues, it all boils down to the issue of perspective, and our lack of understanding. However, because of the test that Abraham went through, when God told him to sacrifice his son, we do see what God values. The thing that God valued, was the fact that Abraham believed God, and trusted him, despite the fact that it didn't make sense to Abraham.
Ironically, Abraham's attitude, is the exact opposite of Kristi's. Rather than require knowing all details, or understanding everything, before obeying, Abraham accepted God's divinity, and trusted him. This was pleasing to God. As a result, God chose to accept Abraham as righteous. Do we understand everything behind this? No. However, the Bible does talk about it. This can be seen in Romans 4:13-25, which reads as follows:
"When God promised Abraham and his descendants that the world would belong to him, he did so, not because Abraham obeyed the Law, but because he believed and was accepted as righteous by God. For if what God promises is to be given to those who obey the Law, then faith means nothing and God's promise is worthless. The Law brings down God's anger; but where there is no law, there is no disobeying of the law.
And so the promise was based on faith, in order that the promise should be guaranteed as God's free gift to all of Abraham's descendants--not just to those who obey the Law, but also to those who believe as Abraham did. For Abraham is the spiritual father of us all; as the scripture says, 'I have made you father of many nations.' So the promise is good in the sight of God, in whom Abraham believed--the God who brings the dead to life and whose command brings into being what did not exist. Abraham believed and hoped, even when there was no reason for hoping, and so became 'the father of many nations.' Just as the scripture says, 'Your descendants will be as many as the stars.' He was then almost one hundred years old; but his faith did not weaken when he thought of his body, which was already practically dead, or of the fact that Sarah could not have children. His faith did not leave him, and he did not doubt God's promise; his faith filled him with power, and he gave praise to God. He was absolutely sure that God would be able to do what he had promised. That is why Abraham, through faith, 'was accepted as righteous by God.' The words 'he was accepted as righteous' were not written for him alone. They were written also for us who are to be accepted as righteous, who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from death. Because of our sins he was given over to die, and he was raised to life in order to put us right with God."
-Romans 4:13-25
Kristi points out that people believe what they believe because of how they were raised. This is true. I'm a Christian. I was raised in a Christian home, and was exposed to the Bible, at an early age. So, it was natural for me to accept the teachings of the Bible, and I've benefited from it.
This is merely one of the ways that God chooses to bless those who trust and obey him. My parents and grandparents were, and are, Christians. They obeyed God by teaching their children about God. As a result, they have children who have chosen to accept this precious gift of salvation. The fact that I'm saved, is a blessing to my parents, who obeyed God by telling me about him.
A lot of times, people who don't know God, were raised in homes that rejected God. So, they didn't teach their children about God. As a result, their children don't have the blessing of knowing God and choosing to be saved. This tragedy, is linked to the sin of their parents rejecting God. Their parents sinned, by not trusting God and by not telling their kids about God. The result of that sin, is another generation that doesn't know God, and is in danger of his judgment.
So, obedience, reaps blessing, while sin, reaps pain and judgment. God has chosen to bless those who follow him, and judge those who have rejected him. This is common, throughout the Bible.
One final argument that Kristi makes, is that people do not choose to believe in God. Her stance is that people choose to believe what they believe, simply because that's what they were taught. However, this isn't entirely true, and, ironically, she, herself, is evidence of this.
Based on all that Kristi has revealed, she was raised in a Christian home. So was I. However, all this does is predispose a person. Ultimately, every person, still, chooses whether or not they'll believe. I've chosen to believe, and she's choosing not to. So, belief, is a choice.
In order to try to make her point, Kristi asks if a person can choose to believe, or not believe, something, in the same way that a person can turn on, or off, a switch. Because a person isn't able to have instant belief, or disbelief, she views this as evidence that belief isn't a choice. However, this isn't an accurate bases of whether or not belief is a choice. All this shows is that, instant belief, isn't a choice.
People choose to believe, based on what they know or have learned. She believes what she believes, due to her own personal experience. She, once believed, and chose to stop believing. This was a choice, based on what she had learned. It may not have happened instantly, but it was a choice to stop believing.
Once Kristi's faith had been shaken, and she started having doubts, she chose to give in to those doubts. However, what would have happened if she had chosen to do what Abraham did? What would have happened if she had chosen to accept that she doesn't understand everything, but chose to pray, read the Bible, and ask for understanding. Isn't it feasible that God would have revealed the flaws in her thinking, and she would have maintained her faith?
Ultimately, her choice to throw in the towel, was just that. It was a choice. And Abraham chose to keep on believing, even though, as Romans 4 says, he had no reason to believe. For him, it was a choice to believe that God would keep his promise.
So the notion that belief isn't a choice, is inaccurate. It's more a matter of where you choose to place your consistency. This choice maintains, or changes, a belief. So, ultimately, it is a choice.