Is God all-good

[u/NewtonianVariant]

So my question is relatively straightforward but does require a little logical ladder that must be followed to understand it. Firstly, we accept that, even though God knows our past, present, and future, we have free will. That’s the basis of my question. God allows us to make our own decisions in life. However, logically speaking, He is an all knowing deity. That just follows from religious thought for the last several thousand years. So we can logically conclude that God knows an infinite amount of information about our reality in comparison to us. Now, to bring up the counterpoint. A parent knows almost infinitely more about reality than an infant does. This is, of course, relative. However, would an infinitely more intelligent parent allow their infant to do something that would end with their suffering. Let’s say for example, the child is playing with an outlet. The good parent would not allow their child to do that. Of course there is the argument that a child does not know, and is therefore not responsible for their deeds simply because they have no experience. Now let’s say the child knows that it is wrong to hurt the family dog, yet they do it anyways for whatever reason. A good parent would not allow their child do go down the path that would lead to their own harm (I.e. the mental outcomes of harming things as a child usually leads to darker actions in the future). A good parent would not let their child do this because harm would come to them either physically or mentally. Now God allows us to make our own choices that lead us to damnation. But He knows more than us of course and knows the horrors that await. A parent knows the horrors that await their own child if they follow down a foolish path, knowingly or otherwise. How can we say as Christians that God is all good given he allows us to follow a path that even a parent would not allow an infant to do. I am Christian and this is not any hatred towards Christianity, only a logical fallacy that I cannot follow. Any explanation or conversation on the matter would help.

[u/rorris6]

firstly, what your question is pointing at is not a logical fallacy. it's not a fallacy because only arguments can be fallacies and you're questioning an statement. it's not logical because your issue with this proposition originates from your experience in the material world, even if it's a shared experience, the fact that it comes from experience means it's not purely logical.

secondly, your comparison is not entirely accurate, and even then you're getting it wrong. we were in fact innocent and free of sin (almost childlike, like animals, even though adam had lordship over them). we didn't know better, so judgment wasn't needed. the original sin made us aware of good and evil (we entered adulthood and became fit to be judged)

from that moment onwards and until Christ's sacrifice we believed we could make it on our own, that we didn't need to be saved by our Father, that man-made law was good enough. Christ came to save us and tell us we can rely on Him, that we were not alone with the weight of our sins, but we are grown ups now. for God to save us we have to let Him into our lives first.

a common reoccurrence comes to mind easily once you look at it this way: a couple has a kid, they want the best for their child and they do everything to protect him. the child becomes a teenager who thinks he knows better than his parents, wants to be treated as an adult. rebelling, he does something so terrible that he gets kicked out of the house. filled with pride, the son decides not to talk to his parents ever again. one day, they both appear at his doorstep. his life is a mess, but both of them love him and ensure him they'll always be there to help him. coming back home is no longer an option as he's mature enough for that, his problems are his own and his faults won't be excused for his ignorance, but now he knows he'll always have his parents support.

this surely wasn't what the couple wanted for their child. just as God had higher hopes for us, but you can't stay a child forever. despite all that, He values our freedom so much that He allowed us to make our own mistakes. instead of forcing us to love Him, He expects us to freely choose to love Him