Having said that, I don't see anywhere in this verse where, if one asks forgiveness for generations older than the third or fourth, that it is a sin or would prove that someone is 'dead in their sins', which is what you originally claimed.
Further, the verses I posted to you don't say anything about the prophets asking God to forgive the sins of their fathers "back to the third or fourth generation, but I know you won't forgive the sins of the fathers in older generations."
So, nice try, but you are still wrong.
I’ll give you the point about four vs three generations. Its a quibble in the face of the thousand year stretch the liberal theologians are aiming at.
But the point I’m making should be clear enough. Even the most primitive and superstitious of Jews did not think the sins of the fathers extended more than 3-4 generations.
Speaking once again of superstitious—the next time this matter comes up is with Martin Luther. The Reformation results in part because of Luther’s opposition to the Sale of Indulgences.
You should know this story well.
The Catholic Church held the ancestors of the the people to be in purgatory. But people could—for a fee— could get their ancestors out of purgatory.
Luther said this bit of Catholic business promoted witchcraft—and should be banned.
The Catholic Church has since come around to accepting Luther’s point. The practice was banned.
Think about it. (Of course I know you won’t— but then you are dead in your sin.)