Subject: sins of the father |
Bible Note: Dear lightedsteps, No, I was not saying that at all. You wrote, "These verses say we are responsible for our own sins, and do not bear the sins (curses) of our fathers." (post #222709) I wrote, "...your citations do not provide the Biblical support for which you are trying to apply them." (post #222711) As I explained, the verses you chose were based on what men were saying in objection to God: Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, "What do you mean by using this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying, 'The fathers eat the sour grapes, But the children's teeth are set on edge'? As I live," declares the Lord GOD, "you are surely not going to use this proverb in Israel anymore." (Ezekiel 18:1-3 NASB) Read all of Ezekiel 18. You will see that the people were rejecting God's judgment on Israel in the Captivity because they claimed they were being punished for the sins of their fathers. God explains that if a man is righteous, then he will not be charged with the unrighteousness of a son, and vice-versa. Note that those doing the complaining were NOT righteous. Their own unrighteousness made them worthy of God's wrath. Their attempted defense was only misdirection, fraught with error through and through. When you use the Scriptures, remember the importance of context. As someone once said, "Every text without a context is a pretext." We will persuade no one of our theology by citing verses out of context. May I suggest an inexpensive, paperback book? It is "How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth" by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart. You can find it for sale online from many sources. You are person who thinks. You need to be properly equipped in your thinking. In Him, Doc |