Posted on 06/16/2002 1:42:58 PM PDT by Matchett-PI
31 As for your children that you said would be taken as plunder, I will bring them in to enjoy the land you have rejected.
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The rationale is explained in the text. The age was set at the age of the national census. Their exemption from the penalty was designed to demonstrate the false claim of the nation that their children would be taken as plunder.
There is no textual hint that they were spared because they had not reached the age of accountability. In fact an age of 20 would far exceed the range of those who try to establish such an age. NOTE: If this passage teaches an age of accountability, it precisely sets it as age twenty. My daughter turned 20 last week, I'll have to tell her that she missed her opportunity!
Well one has to look at this from a thoughtful Arminian position
Arminians believe one can not go to heaven without some self effort (choosing Christ) Therefore that is a task an "infant" can not do..and even though most over 7 could they usually do not.
So today a 6 year old is covered by the grace of God..and on his 7th birthday an Arminian would have to believe God withdraws that grace and the kid is on his own.
IMHO 20 is away too old Becky.I think if we consider the OT further that Samual was a child as was David when they were called to respond to Gods call..
You like to sling this phrase around, mom. Tell me something--why is abortion bad, then? Hasn't God already determined who among those babies are going to heaven? Aren't the abortionists just doing God's will since everything is scheduled by God? Who are you to condemn those who are performing that which God has ordained from the beginning of time?
One last question--Can God will what He forbids?
Becky
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If this passage suggests an age of accountability then it must be age 20 since in the incident those below are not judged and those 20 and older are (Joshua and Caleb excepted).
Shadow the doctrine MADE the decision!
God can allow that which he forbids for HIS purposes
How many gods are there shadow? ...is satan or man able to defeat the purpose of God? Then who is God?
No--she made the decision. Of her own free will. She destroyed God's creations.
So God is arbitrary? What you just said denies the consistancy of the great I AM. IF God is arbitrary, as you claim, how can you be certain of your own salvation?
It is the most wicked blasphmey against the nature of God I can think of. You see the Christ of the Bible loving the children and warning that anyone who messed with children it would be better to have a millstone around their neck and dropped into the deepest ocean.
I seem to recall a few passages in the OT about dashing children on the rocks and such. But that's not possible with your God is it? He has to live up to your estimation of right.
Keep the grandstanding going. Inquiring lurkers want to know.
So you and Calvin can take your horrible dictum somewhere else.
It is as unscriptural as the rest of your horrid system
Well how interesting. He who has accused those who uphold the Reformed faith as believing in an arbitrary God is now shown to himself believe in an arbitrary God. By your theology, original sin does not apply to someone until they are at the mystery age of accountability which only God knows (this from the person who condemned the "secret counsel" God has in electing some to salvation for His own good pleasure). Suddenly now faith is no longer a factor in the imputation of Christ's righteousness to man.
Your Frankenstein God is falling apart fast, sir.
So tell me shadow is your will stronger than God? Is Satan stronger than God?
Who is your god?
Is this belief scriptural, doctrinal, or personal?
Just because God's will is strongest, doesn't mean I don't have one. Now that I've answered your question, please answer mine.
Not at all, but ofcourse for someone who doesn't actually read scripture how would you know?
Read Romans 5 and see what God has done to insure the salvation of those who never get a chance to make a decision for Him.
Romans 5:18 says that all of those who were under Adams sin are now under the Second Adams Blood.
Your so-called 'system' is arbitrary (you can give no objective reasons that God has for His choice of you can you?)
You see that great Potter in choosing to place everyone in the first Adams sin, did so that everyone would then get in on the grace of the Second Adams's obedience (Rom.5:15) results in salvation for all who have not rejected Christ (Jn.16:9)
Your Frankenstein God is falling apart fast, sir.
The only system that has a 'monster' for a god is Calvinism, and it results in a lot of 'little' monsters running around talking about God in His sovereign grace throwing infants into the Lake of Fire!
For someone to even conceive of such a horror and blasphmy makes me doubt that they are in fact human, no less Christian.
It is the answer to your question..man can do nothing without God allowing it.
Actually How God chooses to handle infants death is of no importance to me..He is still righteous and He is still sovereign.
If all infants are not saved ..and some are is not a matter that sways my faith. But because it is to some I have taken the position for discussion that God will save infants unable to respond to the preaching of the gospel..
Part 2, Section 2, Chapter 1, Article 1, SubSection 6 1257 The Lord himself affirms that Baptism is necessary for salvation. 60 He also commands his disciples to proclaim the Gospel to all nations and to baptize them. 61 Baptism is necessary for salvation for those to whom the Gospel has been proclaimed and who have had the possibility of asking for this sacrament. 62 The Church does not know of any means other than Baptism that assures entry into eternal beatitude; this is why she takes care not to neglect the mission she has received from the Lord to see that all who can be baptized are "reborn of water and the Spirit." God has bound salvation to the sacrament of Baptism, but he himself is not bound by his sacraments.
Don't fear for the children.God is merciful.
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