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NASB | 2 Samuel 12:11 "Thus says the LORD, 'Behold, I will raise up evil against you from your own household; I will even take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Samuel 12:11 "Thus says the LORD, 'Behold, I will stir up evil against you from your own household; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. |
Subject: Does this mean God is the author of sin? |
Bible Note: Bob: Nothing like this week's events to be a laboratory for this discussion... Rather than attempt to answer you again myself, I would like to point you to another Reformed minister, John Piper, so perhaps he can explain it in a clearer way than I have. The URL is below, and I would love to hear your comments on it: http://www.desiringgod.org/Online_Library/OnlineArticles/Subjects/Suffering/GodAndEvil.htm However, I would like to point out one thing that I have neglected to mention before, having to do with your last statement: "If it is wrong for people to perform these actions, then must it not also be wrong for God to *cause* them to do this?" My answer would be "no." The reason has to do with the difference between God and us. There are a lot of things that God does and still remains holy, by virtue of the fact that He is the Creator and has a right to do what he wants with His creation. For example, it is morally wrong for me to take a human life in most circumstances, but by virtue of being God, he does have the right to do so. Therefore, a core aspect of sinfulness is the very fact that we place ourselves in the place of God, claiming rights and privileges that only He rightfully possesses. Therefore, our sinfulness is often not the deviation from God's moral character, but rather the "cosmic treason" against our heavenly King, as R.C. Sproul puts it; making ourselves (the creation) out to have the same rights as God (the Creator). In this way, I would argue that there are things that God can and does do which are sin for us to do. Thanks! --Joe! |