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NASB | Romans 9:13 Just as it is written, "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 9:13 As it is written and forever remains written, "JACOB I LOVED (chose, protected, blessed), BUT ESAU I HATED (held in disregard compared to Jacob)." [Mal 1:2, 3] |
Bible Question: This is going to sound like a stupid question. I have been studying predestination and free will. Now, that's been beat to death here, so I do not want an answer to it. What I have begun to notice is more worrying to me. When I stepped back it suddenly became clear that there was no answer. Or, more correctly, as I studied, the Bible contains no clear answer to this. As I begun to study some other classic arguments it was clear they persisted because they too lacked answers, not because one side studied less or did not get it. It should have been obvious to me before, but there it was. The Bible was inerrant, but must be incomplete for doctrine. Why else would such devout and faithful people disagree about so many basic issues? So, I wanted to know if anyone else has found any other things that have helped them, like the Apocrypha or Dead Sea Scrolls. I feel like I just need more information. Any recommendations on where to go now? |
Bible Answer: Hi, Ted! I bet you didn't think you had opened up such a cornucopia of conceptions, conclusions, and conjectures! Your questions are very good ones, however, and they deserve answers. As has been stated, however, we are all somewhat limited in our ability to articulate our perspectives on this subject because of the position that the forum founders take themselves on the issue. However, I think they would permit me to say that scripture (the 66 book canon of orthodoxy) is fully sufficient and adequate for all questions of doctrine. In fact, most of us would say that it is the only certain, rock solid, source for doctrinal truth. It is the foundation of our faith. Everyone of us approaches the Bible with presuppositions. We can't help it, it is part of being human and having a brain. The problem is, which presuppositions are right and which are wrong. We believe in absolute truth, so it is illogical to assume that contradictory views are always reconcilable. I would strongly suggest you carefully study some of the great scholars of the past on these subjects. Remember, they must always ground what they say in scripture, or they are merely speculating. Pray and ask God to draw you to the truth. Balance the views and see which of the perspectives jives most closely with the whole of scripture. God bless you in your search for the truth! |