Results 1 - 2 of 2
|
|
|||||
Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Every NATION or every PERSON? | Matt 24:14 | jlhetrick | 169243 | ||
Hello Mark, Thanks brother, for the input. This seems to illustrate my point, or should I say, my struggle in understanding; an apparent contradiction as seen through the eyes of this fallible man. I rest in my confidence in the scriptures, however, that there are no contradictions, only lack of knowledge and understanding on the part of men. You write: “So then why oh why would He not choose all of those whom He would like to be saved for salvation? The only way this makes sense is if there is another criteria involved in God's election beyond His independant wish for man. There must be another qualifier. “ ”Some will raise the cry that this offends His sovereignty, but not if He has decreed it to be that way. He always plays by His own rules.” I would agree with you that there is no imposition on God’s sovereignty if in fact He did decree “another criteria….beyond His independent wish…” But do we find this in scripture? Thanks for your insight and the verses for consideration. Of course, I have considered these verses along with many more. For example, here is another that seems to suggest that there is no other criteria, and that God’s decree was and is consistent with the commonly held understanding of the doctrine of predestination/election. Acts 13:48 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and AS MANY AS WERE APPOINTED to eternal life believed. ESV (emphasis added) Acts 13:48 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and AS MANY AS WERE ORDAINED to eternal life believed. KJV (emphasis added) This one is tough to explain in contradiction with the doctrines of election and predestination. Personally, I haven’t seen anyone try. God bless and continue to work toward deeper understanding as I do also, Jeff |
||||||
2 | Every NATION or every PERSON? | Matt 24:14 | Morant61 | 169280 | ||
Greetings Jeff! Here is another perspective of Acts 13:48. J. O. Buswell writes: "Actually the words of Acts 13:48-49 do not necessarily have any reference whatever to the doctrine of God's eternal decree of election. The passive participle tetagnemoi may simply mean 'ready,' and we might well read, 'as many as were prepared for eternal life, believed.'" He adds, "Commenting on this word, Alford says, 'The meaning of this word must be determined by the context. The Jews had judged themselves unworthy of eternal life (v. 46); the Gentiles, 'as many as were disposed to eternal life,' believed...To find in this text preordination to life asserted, is to force both the word and the context to a meaning which they do not contain.'" This view is supported by the fact that the verb in Acts 13:48 is 'tasso', not 'protasso'. Thus, the translation of it as 'preordained' by many translations was an unfortuate and biasing translation. Just another viewpoint to consider when we consider election. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
||||||