[winstonchurchill]

When we speak to our children, would we use words and concepts they cannot understand? If our children are blind, would we describe things with colors and forms? Since in the physical realm we are clearly “anthropomorphic” by vision and mind, it follows that the Scriptures are “anthropomorphic" with regard to spatial and temporal dimensions.

The risk here is that what we really are saying is that the words used by the inspired authors are 'anthropomorphic' (which, of course, those authors could not see or understand) and can thus be essentially disregarded as to their common-sense meaning, but that we, living in more enlightened times, can see them as such and speak of such elevated concepts as 'timelessness', etc. This raises a lot of issues such as 'inerrancy' versus 'infallibility'with other, wider 'factual' errors sneaking into the inspired text, which can in turn start us on a slippery slope, looking for 'anthropomorphic' formulations (which are, so it goes, simply inaccurate).

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so much for your reply!

I do understand the implications of the issues of time, predestination v free will, and how it can be troubling to many. IMHO, the important result is that the seeker love God with all of his understanding – whatever that may be. And we seekers may very well arrive at a different understanding for good cause.

First of all, I assert that it is acceptable to be different on such issues. The twelve disciples were very different personalities and disagreed amongst themselves on certain details (Acts 15). But different as they were, they were all chosen by Christ. He could have chosen twelve like John, or Peter, etc. This should tell us something. Likewise in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, the churches were quite different from one another but all accepted, with commendations and rebukes.

Each of us has our own spiritual “chalkboard” upon which the Word of God is written. The Word, the Truth, is flawless. Our chalkboard, which is the breath of God (Genesis 2:7) is also flawless, but our mind is not. Thus, we need to resolve every issue, with humility, to the very best of our understanding to be able to reason with those who may ask:

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure. – Philippians 2:12-13

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: - I Peter 3:15

Thus, IMHO, the important part in such issues as “time” is that we share our insight and evidence – different as it may be – not that we must arrive at a consensus.

In that spirit I’d like to get back to the issue of whether the Scriptures are “anthropomorphic” – and offer the following as indications to support that view. Paul, who had been in but a limited degree of heaven, was forbidden to reveal some of what he heard. And of what he could reveal, he tailored his speech to his audience, to the depth of their ability to understand:

I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. - II Corinthians 12:2-4

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, [even] as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able [to bear it], neither yet now are ye able. - I Corinthians 3:1-4

God also “drew the line” on man’s ability to understand at Babel (Genesis 11:9) and the time of man’s understanding in Daniel’s prophesy (Daniel 12:4) and again in prophesy in Revelation 10:4.

So yes, the Scriptures are inerrant but not complete or as another Freeper once said, the Scriptures reveal God truly but not fully. The Word however is complete, alive, from the beginning and is God. Jesus is the Word made flesh. (John 1). And it is the Word working in our Spirit, which reveals the deep things of God – not our mortal “wisdom”. (I Corinthians 2:9-16) I assert that we must always be aware of the difference and disclose the same so that we do not assert our mortal wisdom as spiritual understanding.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. – I Corinthians 2:12-13

Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men. – Mark 7:7