CadyandZoe
Well-Known Member
In Romans 2, Paul argues that God is waiting patiently for his Jewish contemporaries to repent, just as he waits for all of us to repent. Nevertheless, in Romans 9:19-23 Paul's argument is focused on a specific question: "Is God unjust?"What Paul says in Romans 9.22 is what Peter says in 2 Peter 3.9 where it is clear repentance
The rhetorical question gives voice to those who might object to Paul's gospel concerning God promise to pour out his spirit on all flesh, i.e. all Jewish flesh. This promise is found in a few places in the Hebrew scriptures. Joel 2:28-29, Deuteronomy 30:6, Ezekiel 36:25-27. Not only this, but the Lord appears to suggest that he will forgive and grant eternal life to every Jewish person living under the New Covenant, Jeremiah 31:33-34.
Paul has argued that while God made promises to Israel, he still reserves the right to elect some to mercy, and some to wrath. Not all of Jacob's descends will be granted forgiveness or eternal life. Given this teaching, Paul needs to answer why God isn't being unfair.
How would your typical Christian answer Paul's rhetorical question? Answer: God has given each human being freedom of the will. According to his prevenient grace, he has done everything he can to save human beings from sin and grant them eternal life. But he will not violate their freewill. Each person must make the decision for himself or herself. Only those who hear the gospel and respond in positive way will be saved.
This answer fails because it hasn't taken into account the fact that God's promise to bless Israel with forgiveness and eternal life involves a divine miracle, whereby God himself renders a person qualified for eternal life. Consider these two passages from the book of Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 10:6 So circumcise your heart, and stiffen your neck no longer.
In this instance, Moses expects his people to make the freewill choice to circumcised their own hearts and no longer remain stubborn. Blessing and favor are clear implications of this exhortation.
Deuteronomy 30:6 “Moreover the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, so that you may live.
By contrast with Deuteronomy 10:6, here Moses is predicting that at some point in Jewish history, God himself will circumcise the hearts of his own people. God is going to supernaturally qualify certain people for eternal life by circumcising their hearts for them. The very moment after he circumcises their hearts, they begin to love God with all their heart and all their soul so that they might live.
Your typical Christian theologian has seemed to miss this aspect of salvation entirely. They have the whole thing backwards. They suggest that God is granting eternal life in response to a person who circumcises his own heart. When, in fact, God is granting salvation to those whom HE has already circumcised himself.
Question: Is God unfair for not doing this to everyone? Why doesn't he circumcise everyone's heart? Why doesn't he circumcise every heart in Israel?
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