Results 1 - 8 of 8
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | God is not the author of evil. | Job | John Reformed | 99064 | ||
If we examine Mat 10:29 in its context, Jesus concludes His discussion in verse 31 with "So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." His point is that we are worth more than the sparrows, not that sparrows die because God kills them" There is more than one truth taught in Matt 10:29. You are right that Jesus used the example of the sparrows to show the disciples relative worth as compared to birds. But that does not cancel the other truth contained in the verse. Jesus was also assuring them through the sparrows that if even sparrows cannot fall apart from God's will, how much more precious are the lives of His elect disciples! Matt 10:29 "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. Matt 10:29a ""Are not two sparrows sold for a cent?" Matt 10:29b "And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father." The fuller point is this: 29a Sparrows compared to men are insignificant in value. 29b Even these relatively insignifant birds are subject to God's rule. And if they will not fall apart from God's providence then, most surely, neither will His own chosen ones. John |
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2 | God is not the author of evil. | Job | Parable | 99066 | ||
Perhaps the difference in our understanding is this...I hold that God has the capacity to do whatever he wants, including giving us a world in which our decisions and freedom to act are genuine because "possibility" has real meaning. Of course, He is sovereign over these possibilities and they provide authentic opportunity for us to choose Him. These possibilities are governed by His sovereignty, so overall His plans will be fulfilled. If I understand you correctly, you seem to be saying that each and every flap of each and every wing on each and every sparrow is specifically and exhaustively determined by God's meticulous control. This necessarily implies that each and every demon or wicked person is just a puppet exhaustively controlled by God, which makes Him an accessory to evil. Scripture denies this. |
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3 | God is not the author of evil. | Job | John Reformed | 99068 | ||
"If I understand you correctly, you seem to be saying that each and every flap of each and every wing on each and every sparrow is specifically and exhaustively determined by God's meticulous control." You are correct. "This necessarily implies that each and every demon or wicked person is just a puppet exhaustively controlled by God, which makes Him an accessory to evil..."" I disagree. This implies nothing of the sort. I just hold a higher view of God's sovereignty than you do. Now if you want me to explain How God can be absolutely sovereign and yet man still be resposible for his actions...well, don't hold your breath while your waiting for an answer. I will say this: Fallen man is absolutely free to choose according to his heart's desire. That liberty is also his downfall. Gen 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. John |
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4 | God is not the author of evil. | Job | Parable | 99069 | ||
It's not liberty that is our downfall, but rather the abuse of liberty. If we had no liberty, we could not respond to God's love with anything but a mindless programmed routine. Hardly the kind of a passion that God wants from us, right? The "higher" view of God's sovereignty that cannot be understood nor explained is no view at all. We are called to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." God's truth, as revealed by a comprehensive reading of scripture, is coherent, understandable and practical. You said not to wait around for an answer to your paradoxical conundrum. Instead, I believe Dr. Gregory Boyd has exposited scripture to yield a satisfactory answer. See "God at War" and "Satan and the Problem of Evil". In my opinion, Boyd is right that our thinking has been influenced too much by factors outside scripture. |
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5 | God is not the author of evil. | Job | John Reformed | 99138 | ||
Parable, Liberty means "The state of a free person; exemption from subjection to the will of another" (Websters) The point I have been laboring to make is simply this: Fallen man is at liberty to to choose either good or evil. But our choices are governed by our desires and the desires of the unregeneret heart are wicked ones. It is not because God forces or coerces man to sin that man is a sinner, but that man is a sinner by virtue of his own fallen nature. He has liberty to choose good or evil, yet his own heart makes it impossible for him to choose spiritual good. This is not Augustine, Calvin, Beza or Boyd ...it is Bible. Gen 2:17 but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die." Gen 6:5 Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Jer 17:9 "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? John 8:34 Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. 4 Rom 6:6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; As long as one believes that fallen man has even a spark of spiritual life inside his heart, that one will not appreciate fully the grace od God in salvation. John |
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6 | God is not the author of evil. | Job | Parable | 99139 | ||
The depravity of man is not in question, however I note that man was originally created good and will be restored to that original condition by the grace of God. Paul also describes that what good he wants to do, he does not, and what bad he wants to avoid, he does. I note that Paul does admit to having good intentions, but that he lacks the ability to follow through on them. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can we do that. Paul also admits to his desire to avoid sin, but that he cannot resist it. Again, we can only do so through the power of the Holy Spirit. I submit therefore that while we lack the ability to do good or avoid sin on our own, in our hearts we can have these as goals. Do you concur? |
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7 | God is not the author of evil. | Job | John Reformed | 99150 | ||
Paul is addressing those who have been given a "new heart". The heart of stone which they had been born with has been taken away. Ezek 36:26 "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh..." John |
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8 | God is not the author of evil. | Job | Parable | 99271 | ||
Yes, I concur. I should have emphasized this in my previous note. | ||||||