The Bible and Free Will
Edwin — Mon, 02/01/2010 - 14:12
Here are some examples of why one should question if the God of the Bible has truly granted us free will (without his meddling).
- Exodus 9:12 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart and he would not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the LORD had said to Moses.[NIV]
- Exodus 10:20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let the Israelites go.[NIV]
- Exodus 10:20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he was not willing to let them go.[NIV]
- Exodus 11:10 Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, and he would not let the Israelites go out of his country.[NIV]
- Exodus 14:8 The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, so that he pursued the Israelites, who were marching out boldly.[NIV]
- Joshua 11:20 For it was the LORD himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that he might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy, as the LORD had commanded Moses.[NIV]
- I Samuel 19:9 But an evil spirit from the LORD came upon Saul as he was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand.[NIV]
There are also two verses in Mark, 6:52 and 8:17 where it says that people's hearts were hardened, but does not say by whom. In context of the above, these could also be interpreted that God hardened their hearts.
So, when judgement day comes for Pharaoh, will he say, legitimately in his own defense, "you made me do it?"
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Free Will
Bro Tom — Sat, 03/13/2010 - 05:01We always have a choice, as long as we are alive on this earth!
Gen 4:6 NIV Then the LORD said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
Deut 30:19 ASV I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before thee life and death, the blessing and the curse: therefore choose life, that thou mayest live, thou and thy seed;
Prov 1 NIV 29For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
The Reality of God
Bro Tom — Sat, 03/13/2010 - 04:35Knowing God is an experience, a relational one. Philosophy about God is a dead end. I know God is real because I know Him. If you really meet Him, you cannot say He doesn't exist, nor would you want to. Knowing God is a blast! The greatest joy on earth.