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To: kosta50; hosepipe; betty boop; Dr. Eckleburg; Forest Keeper; Quix
That's pathetic, A-G.

and

What you sow if what you reap.

It is truly sad when man judges man - because he will indeed be judged exactly the same way. Judging is self-indicting.

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. - Matthew 7:1-2

Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. - Romans 2:1

And even if there is cause for offense, the one who judges - who harbors the resentment - is cut-off as long as he refuses to forgive.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. - Matthew 6:12

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. - Matthew 6:14-15

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive [them], and ye shall have [them]. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. - Mark 11:24-26

But what's "pathetic" in my view is man - any man - judging God.

The error of man's judging God by his own rules of logic (e.g. either/or, the Law of the Excluded Middle) was the point of my post 4598 and the "sermon" at 4633.

In the passage, John 21:15-19, Christ reveals both predestiny and free will to Peter. On the one hand, "signifying by what death he should glorify God" and on the other, "lovest thou me more than these?" and "Feed my lambs."

The Book of Job makes the same point, the error of judging God, as summed up here:

Then Job answered the LORD, and said, I know that thou canst do every [thing], and [that] no thought can be withholden from thee.

Who [is] he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor [myself], and repent in dust and ashes. - Job 42:1-6

Likewise the parable in Matthew 20 sums up the error in resenting God's will for us which, in the context of this discussion, would be resenting predestination:

Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? - Matthew 20:15

Man is not the measure of God.

For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. - Isaiah 55:8-9

To God be the glory!

4,761 posted on 04/03/2008 7:11:02 AM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: Alamo-Girl
Two quibbles:

For my money, YES Job points out the error, the self-contradiction of judging God. Somebody said trying to prove the existence of God is like lighting a torch to see the sun. Same goes fro judging Him.

BUT the good news in Job is that Job lowered his head and ran as hard as he could into that stone wall, and God had mercy on Him. Just as repentance is not a burden but a joyful gift from God, Job's comeuppance is wonderful evidence of the mercy that endures for ever.

And I want to add to the glorious "my ways are not your ways" passage, the particular, but not the only, difference, the one God goes into at some length: His word is like rain and snow which water the earth, bringing forth seed for sowing and bread for eating. Our words dissipate into the general frowst of entropy. His word makes things happen.

I walk into a dark room (I really do do this a lot, I enjoy rejoicing in my not being God, especially if I can be silly while doing so) and say "Let there be light!" Nothing happens. So I say,"Drat! It didn't work," and walk over to the light switch. But when God says, "let there be light," well, you'd better have your Oakley's handy.

4,764 posted on 04/03/2008 8:44:03 AM PDT by Mad Dawg (Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.)
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To: Alamo-Girl; hosepipe; betty boop; Dr. Eckleburg; Forest Keeper
It is truly sad when man judges man - because he will indeed be judged exactly the same way. Judging is self-indicting. Matthew 7:1-2...Romans 2:1

Funny, but not surprising, that you chose to ignore  the following verses:

And even if there is cause for offense, the one who judges - who harbors the resentment - is cut-off as long as he refuses to forgive.

Who said there is no forgiveness? But forgiveness comes with repentance. There is no free lunch.

But what's "pathetic" in my view is man - any man - judging God.

 Who is judging God? Me? 

The error of man's judging God by his own rules of logic (e.g. either/or, the Law of the Excluded Middle) was the point of my post 4598 and the "sermon" at 4633.

The error of man's judgment is for some to presume that they are God's mouthpiece and to posit that anything that opposes their opinion or belief is judging God. As for the Law of Excluded Middle, the middle must be provable and real to show that the either/or choices are a false dilemma. The problem is proving that the third choice is real and rational. And those who peddle divine spokesmanship cannot prove anything unless one already believes in the third option as real.

You are telling me that predestination and free will can "co-exist" but you do not show how that is possible or even real. I take it that your definitions of predestination and free will are vastly different from standard definitions, in which case please define them. 

To me a predestined world is a divine theater where different actors act out specific roles in order for the heavenly play to come to a predetermined, scripted end. The actors are not at all at any liberty to change the script or their assigned characters, even though they may wish it. There is no room for any free will on that stage.

Then Job answered the LORD, and said, I know that thou canst do every [thing], and [that] no thought can be withholden from thee.

The Bible states that many things are hidden from God. Go figure.

Likewise the parable in Matthew 20 sums up the error in resenting God's will for us

Some people do blame and hate God for everything. That's unfortunate. Christians believe that God is Love and His will is desire, a desire that all mankind is saved. Love doesn't impose; love only desires.

Man is  not the measure of God...For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts...Isa 55:8-9

Yeah, and the good Apostle tells us "But we have the mind of Christ" [1 Cor 2:16]...as usual. 

4,769 posted on 04/03/2008 6:22:14 PM PDT by kosta50 (Eastern Orthodox is pure Christianity)
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