Renniks
Well-Known Member
It's literally all through scripture. God saying:"If" you do this "then" I will spare you. That pretty much covers 90% of the Old testament.conditional mercy? I don’t have the
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It's literally all through scripture. God saying:"If" you do this "then" I will spare you. That pretty much covers 90% of the Old testament.conditional mercy? I don’t have the
If I was mercifully giving money to the poor would it be fair to decide some didn't get any, even though I have an endless supply? Would it be fair to give it to one and just walk by the other one?What has mercy to do with fairness?
It's literally all through scripture. God saying:"If" you do this "then" I will spare you. That pretty much covers 90% of the Old testament.
I have learned that 99% of people have no ideal what Jn 3:16 teaches.
In the context of John 1:29 the word koʹsmos refers to the entire world of redeemable mankind who are described as being guilty of “sin,” that is, sin inherited from Adam.Perhaps, but it doesn't mean that He did, either. I think we have to go outside John 3:16 to understand what is said in John 1:29. :)
If we believe that God loved and Christ died for all humanity, the answer is NOOh I agree. The question we must ask ourselves individually are we of that 1% that actually does know what it means.
Genetic fallacyTrinitarians engage in too much doublespeak for their own good.
Gnosticism. It means what it says.Oh I agree. The question we must ask ourselves individually are we of that 1% that actually does know what it means.
That's all greek to me. I'm just a common man. You know, the kind for whom the Bible was written. But I think you're right, anyway. :)In the context of John 1:29 the word koʹsmos refers to the entire world of redeemable mankind who are described as being guilty of “sin,” that is, sin inherited from Adam.
At Joh 3:16, the Greek verb pi·steuʹo meaning trusting, or trust. (John 3:16, 36; is used together with the preposition eis, “into or in.” Regarding this Greek phrase, one scholar noted: “Faith is thought of as an activity, as something men do, literally putting faith into or in someone.” Jesus obviously refers to a life characterized by faith, not just a single act of faith. At Joh 3:36, the similar expression “the one who exercises faith in the Son” is contrasted with “the one who disobeys the Son.” Therefore, in that context, “to exercise faith” includes the idea of demonstrating one’s strong beliefs or faith through obedience.
Why do you ask me? That isn’t my view of the salvation of God.How does the concept of God arbitrarily picking some people for heaven and some for hell glorify him?Tong2020 said: ↑
On my part, I use this among others as a check with regards my interpretation: Does it glorify God or the creature? For I am convinced that the truth glorifies God and not the creature.
Why? I'm still not seeing it. How does picking some for no discernible reason and leaving others (which of course is the exact same thing as picking them for damnation) glorify God?And that does not glorify the creature in any way shape or form, but glorifies God in many respect.
God is love. It's not one of his attributes, it's who he is. And he offers that love to all. Understanding that certainly leads us glorify him.How about your view? Does it glorify God and not the creature?
I take it as God's strengthening the resolve of a person who is already hardened due to his own rebellion.Tong2020 said: ↑
How do you suppose God hardens a person such as Pharaoh?
When scriptures says God hardened Pharaoh, do you take that as God’s doing or not?
And if you consider Romans 9:17 where it says “the Scripture says to the Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth.”, what does “raised you up” mean to you and what is your take on that statement in bold?
It is important to note that the Hebrew word chazaq (translated as “harden” in English) does not carry the same connotation in Hebrew that it does in English. Chazaq is usually translated as “encourage”, “strengthen”, “repair”, “fortify” and “assist”.
It is a term that is frequently used in the Old Testament (They document 55 examples outside of Exodus). The only time chazaq is translated as “harden” is in reference to Pharaoh in Exodus. In all other occurrences, chazaq is translated as “strengthen”, “encourage”, “repair”, “fortify”, etc.
Here are a few examples:
In the passages above, chazaq describes assisting or encouraging someone with a course that they have decided on. It means helping someone to do what they already want to do.
- Joshua is encouraged (Deut 1:38).
- Jonathan helps David find strength in God (1 Samuel 23:16).
- The neighbors assisted Judah (Ezra 1:6).
- The Levites helped the priests complete a task (2 Chron 29:34).
God did not change Pharaoh’s heart to make him want to kill the Hebrews. Pharaoh already wanted to kill them. What God did was give Pharaoh the courage to follow through with what he already desired to do. Pharaoh was an evil man, but he was also timid and fearful of the Hebrews and their God. God simply gave Pharaoh the tenacity to follow through with the desires of his evil heart.
I see no problem with God raising Pharaoh up for this purpose, knowing what pharaoh would do. God often used evil men in spite of themselves. In other words he brings goodness out of their bad intentions, by inserting himself into the situation.
First, God in His omniscience foreknew exactly how Pharaoh would respond, and He used it to accomplish His purposes.<<<I take it as God's strengthening the resolve of a person who is already hardened due to his own rebellion.>>>
So, indirectly you are saying that God had done something in the inside of Pharaoh, to make him further hardened, right? In other words, It is God’s doing that Pharaoh was further hardened, right?
<<<I see no problem with God raising Pharaoh up for this purpose, knowing what pharaoh would do.>>>
The question is not whether you have a problem with that or not. Rather, the question is what does “raised you up” mean to you, and what is your take on the statement “For this very purpose I have raised you up“.
Tong
R2091
Please cite particular scriptures that shows that the mercy of God is conditional.It's literally all through scripture. God saying:"If" you do this "then" I will spare you. That pretty much covers 90% of the Old testament.Tong2020 said: ↑
conditional mercy? I don’t have the
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.Please cite particular scriptures that shows that the mercy of God is conditional.
In my view, the mercy of God is not based on some conditions, like saying God will have mercy on you if you do this and do that. God’s mercy, just like God’s love is not given on some condition that man should first do.
The first act of mercy of God towards mankind was with Adam and Eve. When they sinned, God could have struck them dead right there and then. But He did not. That is an act of mercy by God and is not based on some conditions.
Tong
R2092
I don’t know why you’re still not seeing it. Let me guess. Perhaps it’s because you think that my view is that God chooses arbitrarily, when I already told you that that isn’t my view. Now, perhaps you can start considering my view, that God choose people for salvation consistent with His nature.Why? I'm still not seeing it. How does picking some for no discernible reason and leaving others (which of course is the exact same thing as picking them for damnation) glorify God?Tong2020 said: ↑
And that does not glorify the creature in any way shape or form, but glorifies God in many respect.
That’s quite deep. As much as that would be a good subject to discuss, it’s not what I was referring to in my question.God is love. It's not one of his attributes, it's who he is. And he offers that love to all. Understanding that certainly leads us glorify him.Tong2020 said: ↑
How about your view? Does it glorify God and not the creature?
<<<First, God in His omniscience foreknew exactly how Pharaoh would respond, and He used it to accomplish His purposes.>>>First, God in His omniscience foreknew exactly how Pharaoh would respond, and He used it to accomplish His purposes.Tong2020 said: ↑
<<<I take it as God's strengthening the resolve of a person who is already hardened due to his own rebellion.>>>
So, indirectly you are saying that God had done something in the inside of Pharaoh, to make him further hardened, right? In other words, It is God’s doing that Pharaoh was further hardened, right?
<<<I see no problem with God raising Pharaoh up for this purpose, knowing what pharaoh would do.>>>
The question is not whether you have a problem with that or not. Rather, the question is what does “raised you up” mean to you, and what is your take on the statement “For this very purpose I have raised you up“.
When Moses initially approached Pharaoh concerning the release of the Israelites (Ex. 5:1), Pharaoh responded, “Who is the LORD that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go” (Ex. 5:2). The passage Paul quotes (in Rom. 9:17) is Exodus 9:16 which, in context, is the plague of the boils, the sixth plague. But Pharaoh hardened his own heart before God made this statement. Just because God raised up Pharaoh does not mean that Pharaoh is not responsible for his actions.
Yes, God sometimes uses the unrighteousness of humans to show His glory. He doesn't cause our evil actions, but he brings good results from them.
It's important to distinguish between God causing evil and God using the evil that's naturally in the rebellious hearts of people.
I can see now why such is your view of God’s mercy.If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.Tong2020 said: ↑
Please cite particular scriptures that shows that the mercy of God is conditional.
In my view, the mercy of God is not based on some conditions, like saying God will have mercy on you if you do this and do that. God’s mercy, just like God’s love is not given on some condition that man should first do.
The first act of mercy of God towards mankind was with Adam and Eve. When they sinned, God could have struck them dead right there and then. But He did not. That is an act of mercy by God and is not based on some conditions.
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity
For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!
I could fill pages and pages with scriptures like this.
Nothing.What has mercy to do with fairness?
In one sense, it is unconditional (1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:16). In another sense, it is not (John 14:21).May I ask, how do you see God’s love? Is it conditional or not?