The Bible says He hardened Pharoah’s heart. I don’t know how else to put it. There it is. That is what it says.
Similar illustrations of God enabling us to trust in Him:
- Ezekiel preaching to the dry bones, which were just plain old dead, and could not respond, until God caused them to respond.
- We are told in Scripture that we are DEAD in our trespasses and sins. We learn from Scripture that dead means not alive, unable to respond. We can’t.
- Esau sought repentance but could not find it, although he sought it with tears.
I could go on and on.
I serve a big God, too, but I do acknowledge Him as He describes Himself. Just because we don’t like it or don’t understand it doesn’t mean it’s not true.
“I believe they “get” a sense of “satisfaction” in their “chosen-ness”.”
Well, I hope not. One could accuse an Arminian of getting a sense of satisfaction that they in their wisdom decided to believe in Jesus. Those who don’t are by implication stupid or weak or whatever.
I don’t accuse Arminians of this, but, I could, and I don’t think it is fair for you to make that statement of all Calvinists. I believe anyone who trusts in Christ is a brother in Christ, whether we fully grasp all the behind the scenes work of the Holy Spirit or not.
I agree that God is not bound by time, however, he reveals Himself in a time oriented framework constantly, whether by the rising and setting of the sun or the deliverance of Israel from Pharoah or the finding of Ruth by Boaz or His appearance in the fiery furnace of Daniel or the birth in time and history of Jesus.
“Man, will go there (hell) of their OWN will. As the scriptures say, some would rather curse God and die than to admit the Lordship of God.”
I actually agree with you, there, we are all hell bound and express our desire to be there every time we sin. Mercifully, God rescues some of us. He is not bound to rescue any. I attribute it to His mercy that he saves some; I don’t attribute our damnation to anyone but ourselves.
“(real Christian not a theological “professor”)”
That’s a little harsh, there, some of our greatest pastors etc. over the years have been theological professors, it is a great and noble calling and should not be denigrated.
“Therefore, he can work to conform a believer to his will, and to harden Pharoah’s heart all without affecting our free will!”
I know, I have not denied that man has a free will, I have simply acknowledged that God is somehow sovereign over all.
Similarly, I confirm that Jesus is God AND man. I don’t deny one to affirm the other.
Similarly, I confirm that there is one God in three persons. I don’t deny the one to affirm the other.
“You CANNOT PROVE THAT GOD is a vindictive puppet master, because he is NOT!”
I have no desire to prove any such thing, God is a God of mercy who offered us salvation when we did not deserve it. To imply such demonic blasphemy on my part is sinful of you.
Please explain how you get from “harden his heart” in regard to Pharoah’s dealing with the Jews to the eternal abode of the soul of Pharoah.
You are ASSUMING Pharoah is lost. This may NOT be true. Do you know what Pharoah’s last actions were toward God? Might he have not come to believe before his eventual death? What about Judas? What is his abode? Do you know?
I do not. I do KNOW what Jesus called him, when he came to betray Jesus.
“And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.” Matthew 26:50
I find it HIGHLY PRESUMPTUOUS to THINK we know something about the eventual destination of souls. I think many who THINK they will be there, will no be, and vice versa. To think otherwise puts too much stock in the ideas of man.
We are DEAD in our trespasses. However, man is created as a dim image of God. We have a three-ness in our person (1) Body (2) Spirit (3) Soul. Our body is dead, dead, dead from day one. Our Soul is dying, and our Spirit (the flesh) is self-centered. This is why man cannot redeem himself. However, the Holy Spirit comes to man, and IF he accepts the light God gives, God is faithful to give more. In this manner, man is brought to life. It does not require participation in a Heavenly “lottery”.
The Dry bones is a picture of Israel, or household salvation, not individual salvation.
Because you (or Esau) seeks repentance with tears does NOT mean he accepted the TRUTH.....The bible says to be saved we must believe, not “cry” or “seek repentance”. You have the cart in front of the horse!
I do believe “systematic theology” taught at seminary is wrong. We are instructed to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (do I need to quote the verse?) What part of “teaching” something like Calvinism, or infant baptism, or any other such “constructs” on top of the bible do to help spread the Gospel? Nothing - in fact, they detract from the spread of the Gospel.
We were warned to not follow the Nicolaitans? I believe the Nicolaitans to be those who attempt to build on the foundation of the church by ruling over (placing their stamp) by means of a particular theology.
What qualifies a Seminary attendee to rightly divide the word of God more so than a believer? Is not this “our version” of the Pope? Now for matters of church discisple, yes. But as to such imporatant matters as salvation? Let every man work out his own salvation with fear and trembling....I stand with the bible, not the works of man, be he 300 years old, highly esteemed, etc is no matter. Many good men have fallen - in fact, Satan loves to wreck havoc on ministers. This is why the high rate of divorce/adultery amongst the flock.
I have noticed two types of Protestants who have an even higher than normal rate of this -— (1) Pentecostal (2) Presbyterian.....others runs far behind. Why? Both have “specialness”. Pentecostals believe “only” them have the “gift” of tongues and are the true Christians. Presbys are so steeped in Calvinism that their salvation is often taken for granted. For awhile I attended a “Reformed” Church, but since they were a one-note johnny on preaching Calvinism, we left. Why would we join anyway? Because we, unlike Presbys DON”T BELIEVE Calvinism has ANYTHING to do with salvation, period. After 5 years, we heard about 3 sermons on something other than a relation (somehow) to Calvinism.
Calvinism is a side-show. Invented to make people feel better about themselves, and while doing so, distract them from reaching out to the lost in the world.
What about Calvinism “helps” an unbeliever, or a believer?
Look at Paul’s Gospel — when it came to spiritual gifts, or the manner of presenting the Gospel, he looked at how it affected both believer and unbeliever. Calvinism is not good for either.