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From: rhendel@mcs.drexel.edu (Russell Hendel)
Date: Tue, 12 Nov 1996 19:40:14 -0500
Subject: God's Abilities: Tenach vs Philosophy

Several people in Vol 25 issues 10,11 discuss whether God can be surprised.

I was surprised (no pun intended) that people dealt with this issue from
a PHILOSOPHICAL point of view.

Why not look up the answer in traditional sources (the first approach to
any question!)

It says explicitly in the Bible
...when it will be surprising in the eyes of this nation(the redemption)
	also in My eyes (God speaking!) will it be surprising"

Thus we see explicitly that God can be surprised!

Whether or not we can answer the obvious associated philosophical
questions is a secondary matter.  I again emphasize that I am
approaching this issue from a broader perspective:

As Jews, should our first line of attack on a question be philosophical
or Textual?

Russell Jay Hendel, Ph.d., ASA, rhendel @ mcs drexel edu