08/16/08:
...I found myself in an area outside but surrounded by natural looking walls made of large rocks. The walls surrounded around almost completely but there was one portion that led off to what seemed like mining tunnels. Other people were in this area walking around, talking like normal. Everyone seemed content and happy with them self. At this point even I seemed very ok with the situation. For whatever reason I decided to fly. From what I could tell, I was the only one in the group that could do this. I jumped up and flew with ease. I soared over the walls which I believe was surrounded by water (not sure). I remember kind of showing off, and I remember getting many peoples attention when I flew. I came back down, and at some point in the dream, I realized everyone including my self, was dead. Everyone was completely content with the fact that they were dead. At one point I went up to one guy, and without a hint of negativity I asked him, "Are you dead?" He answered, almost proudly "Yes!" with a big smile on his face. It was almost as if I had asked him some trivial day to day question. We both responded to the situation like it was normal. Then I decided to walk thru the mining tunnels I saw earlier. It was very much like you would expect of a mining tunnel. After about 10 or so feet, it branched off. On the left was a door with I believe the letter 'G' on it, to the right the tunnel continued into darkness. At that moment, when I looked at the door I realized I was dead, and the contrast of life was then apparent. I knew the door was the key to life. So excited, I ran back to the group yelling, "Hey everyone, we don’t have to be dead!" We can all be alive. At first I remember people responding to my excitement but then they quickly lost interest after hearing what I said. I was so excited I did not care. My sisters April & Erin did hear me and followed me back to the door. Once there I explained to them, "Look it says Jesus!" But all you could see is the "G". For some reason when you believed in the fact that this door said "Jesus" you could see the word "Jesus" But you could not see it on the door, but internally. Erin tried so hard to logically see the word "Jesus" on the door, she went closer and touched it. I said, "No" kind of annoyed at this point, "you have to stand back and believe" I said "Stand back". Then Erin, obviously annoyed at my impatience, punched me on the shoulder and took of back and out of the tunnel. In an instant I sensed a great danger that was flowing thru the mining tunnel that behind us. I thought that lava was coming thru toward us at a quick pace. I told April "We have to go now" We went right thru the door without even having to open it. And fell into one of those mining containers they use to transport materials out of the mine. It was on a track and under the track was flowing lava. We flew thru this underground rollercoaster experience on tracks that seemed to be just seconds away from breaking, leaving us to the fate of the molten rock. It seemed very chaotic, fast, and kind of fun. Then the train ended throwing us thru another door, we both went thru, then fell down these wooded stairs. When I looked up we were in what looked like a basement that had been converted into a wood working workshop. Everywhere I looked I saw beautifully crafted furniture and decor, beyond any workmanship I have seen from Man or machine. All different types of wood, designs, styles. The atmosphere seemed to be the complete opposite of where we just came from. Calm, peaceful, humble and glorious all at once. As I looked around I saw a man wearing traditional Israeli dress, he was on a ladder grabbing tools or supplies from a shelf above. He did have long hair and I could not see his face, only his back and right side. He was aware of our presence and slowly started walking down the ladder. In an instant the shear magnitude of the situation encompassed my mind and soul at once. This Man was Jesus. And the next thought brought my face to the ground in absolute humility. He was making all of the furniture in preparation of his people. Each detail, each style, each perfectly hand crafted item was for a specific person. The comprehension of his love enveloped me. He loved his people so much, he wants to personally create every detail by hand for our dwelling place in heaven. Jesus, our Lord and God was in a humble basement building furniture, for me. When I fell to the ground I did so to get so low, as if I could become lower then the ground itself. My soul was almost overpowered by the emotion. The power of the spirit and love was so heavy. I was crying from the soul. It felt amazing just to be in his presence. I was not very aware of much else at this point but I am pretty sure April had the same response. Before I could see his face I had already fell to the ground. Although I was not looking I knew he had walked right in front of us, I could feel his presence, and it was very heavy. Then I woke up. I woke up in that instant, completely awake. I almost started crying when I woke up as well, I could still feel the presence I felt in the dream. I was disappointed I was awake. I wanted to go back and be in back on the floor in total submission. But I woke up.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
God did something.
It was Sunday May, the 25th 2008. Kristen and I were on our way to marriage counseling with our counselors Shuno and his Wife Deborah. Last year we participated in the counseling when we weren't engaged, so we knew what to expect. Since it is a Christian Counseling, they prayed over Kristen and I after our session. Kristen had to go watch the kids, and after she left the Lord sent the Holy Spirit do something. I am still not sure of the depth of what changed but I know certain things did in fact change in me. I was really discouraged the weeks prior because I have NEVER experienced the holy spirit up to that point and was praying to God for a while for this. Shuno and his wife laid hands on me and were praying which is very normal to me cause I have grown up in a charismatic church my whole life. I even felt emotional and was crying because I did feel the words of knowledge God was giving to Shuno, but that too was something I have experienced and did not phase me. Then He decided to do what the bible calls 'anointing in oil, where he literally took out some 'prayer oil' and placed it on my forehead and began to pray again. This is where it got out of control. It started with a head-ache but it was weird, like a flow of blood going to my head as if I was doing a handstand. Then it literally felt as if my brain was being moved a little. Then seconds passed that and I did not even realize what was happening. Before I even recognized the spirit was on me, my stomach had hunched me over, I was swaying (not realizing it) and I felt as if I was intoxicated, or in a dream state. Then I realized seconds had passed since my last 'conscious' thought. I was upright being prayed for, then for a point I was not even conscious of my surroundings, then I realized the spirit was on me. That is when it got really strange. I started to listen to what shuno was praying for. I felt so far away from 'reality' as we know it so I could not concentrate hard enough to understand the words he was saying. He was only inches away from me but I dont know what he actually said. The weird thing is, part of me understood everything he intended thru his words. His words felt so good going into my soul. The ONLY way I can describe the prayers, is that it was like a river of life coming out of his mouth and into my soul thru my head. I invited it fully and did not care about my physical environment. Mainly, because for all effective purposes, I was NOT in a physical realm. Then I could not help but have this huge smile on my face as I was bent over crying. Then my whole face, hands feet and head where almost numb. At this point they were about done praying and I was 'Coming to' If you will. I looked up at Shuno and he was full of tears to. I was sitting the whole time, but if I was standing, I would not have been able to. At this point my legs were numb and really weak. My hands were shaking my face and body were very dehydrated and I was nauseous. There was so much energy going thru my body that all the food I had recently ate, all the water in my body got used up from the minutes of prayer. I did not know what was normal so I asked them. Shuno informed me that when you get 'delivered' from any type of darkness the symptoms I was feeling were normal. And in that time they were praying for healing and deliverance of certain things from my past. I felt a little sick, shaky, and weak but I was stoked. My faith grew a huge amount on Sunday. God is SO Real and is SO GOOD. After explaining to them that this was the FIRST time I had felt the holy spirit, they kinda laughed and seemed to get even MORE excited for me. Deborah went to her car and gave me two water bottles which I downed immeadiatly. Then they said, I should go into the main sanctuary where the worship service was taking place and 'soak it up'. So I did. When I went outside to walk over to our main sanctuary I still felt the presence of God on me. I felt as if I had just awaken from a really deep sleep as I walked over. I still felt very 'distant' from the physical enviornment that I was walking in. Once I got the the 'Big building' I looked for my parents. I spotted my step Mother praying for my dad and went over. As soon as I got to them I told them what had happend and they started getting so happy, then right away their happiness turned into a feeling of Pure Joy for me. The presence of God came back but it was different this time. When shuno was praying there was a huge physical thing happening very intense because I was getting cleansed from things. Now when I was with my parents in the worship portion of church I felt for a few seconds what can only be described as euphoria. I felt such a joy and love. I looked at my step Mom and saw her in a way I have never seen anyone. I loved her so much at that moment with the most pure unbiased love. I believe I saw her how God may see her. I could not resist, I just grabbed her and embraced her. Then the same to my Dad, It was a level of reality I have never experienced. I had NO care as to what the people around me thought or saw cause I KNEW I was experiencing something beyond them or myself. Then the pastor came on and directed the congregation back to the seats to start the message. I started to 'come to' again and was once again back in the 'physical realm' if you will. (I have no idea how else to explain what I experienced except with the terms and words I am using so please use your imagination i guess) The whole rest of the day the presence was still on me. It was so Cool. This sounds weird but I could hear God so well that day. He saved me from a speeding ticket (told me there was a cop coming seconds before I saw him while I was speeding & told me to give the waiter that night a 100% tip because she is paying her way thru college which I confirmed. She is going to berkley and is living with her parents in the off season and that is what the job was for) So thats it. I cant wait to do it again. God is coming people. He IS coming.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Pharaoh Practiced Free Will
Free Will Vs Destiny:
The Story of Pharaoh
Many believe they are in control of their destiny and the choices they make are purely the result of free will and a conscious decision. While others believe ALL things that happen are not only pre-destined but the actual will of God, also known as fatalism. In my opinion both of these perspectives lack the complexities that are apparent with God. One major story in the bible that lends to the idea of fatalism is the story of Pharaoh and Moses. In the Book of Exodus we find that God hardened the heart of Pharaoh in order that his glory may be shown. (See Exodus 7:3,13, 9:12, 10:1, 20,27, 11:10, 14:4,8) This implies that God can and will overrides certain peoples free will, so the actions of those who’s hearts are hardened will allow God to demonstrate his power. One portion of this way of thinking appears to be flawed for this reason; It implies that God requires certain actions of Man to take place before he can perform other actions. Lets get one thing straight first, God does not need anything. If you look at the real beginning of the story God being outside time can determine the Pharaoh’s heart before it was hardened. Exodus 3:19-20 “19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.”
In the next chapter the LORD said to Moses, “…"When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go” After this, several other verses state the same thing, that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. Have you ever been confronted by someone who makes your blood boil? Could you say that there words or even just there presence hardened your heart? As an “idiom” you could say, “That person Hardened my heart” I believe every reference to the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart is an active idiom. (An idiom is an expression, that is a term or phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal definitions and the arrangement of its parts, but refers instead to a figurative meaning that is known only through common use. Supposedly, in linguistics, idioms are widely assumed to be figures of speech that contradict the principle of compositionality;) “the biblical languages had idioms, colloquialisms, Semitisms, and word usages peculiar to them, which those familiar with the language would understand.” A clear example of this type of usage is found in 1 John 1:10, which states, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him (God) a liar.” No one can make God a liar, but the attempt to deny sin is the equivalent of attempting to make God a liar, which is rendered with an active verb as if it actually happened. Verbs, therefore, can have idiomatic usages that may convey something other than a strict, literal meaning.
The Following is a writing by Kyle Butt, M.A and Dave Miller, ph.D...
With that in mind, Bullinger’s fourth list of idiomatic verbs deals with active verbs that “were used by the Hebrews to express, not the doing of the thing, but the permission of the thing which the agent is said to do” (p. 823, emp. in orig.). To illustrate, in commenting on Exodus 4:21, Bullinger stated: “ ‘I will harden his heart (i.e., I will permit or suffer his heart to be hardened), that he shall not let the people go.’ So in all the passages which speak of the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. As is clear from the common use of the same Idiom in the following passages” (1968, p. 823). He then listed Jeremiah 4:10, “ ‘Lord God, surely thou hast greatly deceived this people’: i.e., thou hast suffered this People to be greatly deceived, by the false prophets….’ ” Ezekiel 14:9 is also given as an example of this type of usage: “ ‘If the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the Lord have deceived that prophet’: i.e., I have permitted him to deceive himself.” James MacKnight, in a lengthy section on biblical idioms, agrees with Bullinger’s assessment that in Hebrew active verbs can express permission and not direct action. This explanation unquestionably clarifies the question of God hardening Pharaoh’s heart. When the text says that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, it means that God would permit or allow Pharaoh’s heart to be hardened.
A second equally legitimate explanation for the Exodus text is that the allusions to God hardening Pharaoh’s heart are a form of figurative speech, very closely associated with metaphor, known as “metonymy,” where one name or word is employed for another. For example, when we speak of “reading Shakespeare,” we mean that we read his writings or plays. God hardening Pharaoh’s heart would be “metonymy of the subject,” that is, the subject is announced, while some property or circumstance belonging to it is meant. Specifically, under this form of the figure, “[a]n action is sometimes said to have been accomplished, when all that is meant by it is that an occasion was given” (Dungan, 1888, p. 287; cf. Bullinger, 1898, p. 570).
The Bible is replete with examples that illustrate this figure of speech. John reported that “Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John” (John 4:1). In reality, Jesus did not personally baptize anyone (John 4:2). But His teaching and influence caused it to be done. Jesus, the subject, is mentioned, but it is the circumstance of His influence that is intended. His teaching was responsible for people being baptized. Repeatedly in the book of 1 Kings, various kings of Israel are said to have “walked in the way of Jeroboam…who had made Israel sin” (e.g., 1 Kings 16:19,26; 22:52). But Jeroboam did not force either his contemporaries or his successors to sin. Rather, he set an example that they chose to follow. Judas was said to have purchased a field with the money he obtained by betraying Christ (Acts 1:18). But, in reality, he returned the money to the chief priests and then hung himself. The blood money was then used to purchase the field (Matthew 27:5-7). By metonymy of the subject, Judas was said to have done that which his action occasioned. Paul warned Roman Christians: “Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died” (Romans 14:15). What he meant was that they should not set an example that lures weaker brothers into doing what they consider to be wrong. Paul told Corinthian Christians that they were in a position to “save” their unbelieving spouses (1 Corinthians 7:16). He told Timothy that he was in a position to “save” those who listened to his teaching (1 Timothy 4:16). In both cases, Paul meant that proper teaching and a proper example could influence the recipients to obey God’s will for their lives.
Another instance of metonymy of the subject, closely aligned with the example of Pharaoh in Exodus, is the occasion of the conversion of Lydia, the businesswoman from Thyatira. The text states that the “Lord opened her heart” (Acts 16:14). However, the specific means by which God achieved this action was the preaching of Paul. God’s Word, spoken through Paul, created within her a receptive and responsive mind. In like fashion, Jesus is said to have preached to Gentiles as well as to the antediluvian population of Noah’s day (Ephesians 2:17; 1 Peter 3:19). Of course, Jesus did neither—directly. Rather, He operated through agents—through Paul in the first case and through Noah in the latter. Similarly, Nathan accused king David: “You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword” (2 Samuel 12:9). In reality, David sent a letter to his general ordering him to arrange battle positions where Uriah would be more vulnerable to enemy fire. On the basis of metonymy of the subject, David, the subject, is said to have done something that, in actuality, he simply arranged for others to do.
In the case of Pharaoh, “God hardened Pharaoh’s heart” in the sense that God provided the circumstances and the occasion for Pharaoh to be forced to make a decision. God sent Moses to place His demands before Pharaoh. Moses merely announced God’s instructions. God even accompanied His Word with miracles—to confirm the divine origin of the message (cf. Mark 16:20). Pharaoh made up his own mind to resist God’s demands. Of his own accord, he stubbornly refused to comply. Of course, God provided the occasion for Pharaoh to demonstrate his unyielding attitude. If God had not sent Moses, Pharaoh would not have been faced with the dilemma of whether to release the Israelites. So God was certainly the instigator and initiator. But He was not the author of Pharaoh’s defiance.
Notice that in a very real sense, all four of the following statements are true: (1) God hardened Pharaoh’s heart; (2) Moses hardened Pharaoh’s heart; (3) the words that Moses spoke hardened Pharaoh’s heart; (4) Pharaoh hardened his own heart. All four of these observations are accurate, depicting the same truth from different perspectives. In this sense, God is responsible for everything in the Universe, i.e., He has provided the occasion, the circumstances, and the environment in which all things (including people) operate. But He is not guilty of wrong in so doing. From a quick look at a simple Hebrew idiom, it is clear that God did not unjustly or directly harden Pharaoh’s heart. God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), He does not act unjustly (Psalms 33:5), and He has always allowed humans to exercise their free moral agency (Deuteronomy 30:19). God, however, does use the wrong, stubborn decisions committed by rebellious sinners to further His causes (Isaiah 10:5-11). In the case of Pharaoh’s hardened heart, God can be charged with no injustice, and the Bible can be charged with no contradiction. Humans were created with free moral agency and are culpable for their own actions.
REFERENCES
Bullinger, E.W. (1898), Figures of Speech Used in the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1968 reprint).
Dungan, D.R. (1888), Hermeneutics (Delight, AR: Gospel Light).
Hobbs, Kendall (2003), “Why I Am No Longer a Christian: Ruminations on a Spiritual Journey out of and into the Material World,” [On-line], URL: http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/kendall_hobbs/no_longer.shtml.
MacKnight, James (1954 reprint), Apostolic Epistles (Nashville, TN: Gospel Advocate).
Palmer, Edwin (1972), The Five Points of Calvinism (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker).
Wells, Steve (2001), Skeptic’s Annotated Bible, [On-line], URL: http://www.Skepticsannotatedbible.com>.
The Story of Pharaoh
Many believe they are in control of their destiny and the choices they make are purely the result of free will and a conscious decision. While others believe ALL things that happen are not only pre-destined but the actual will of God, also known as fatalism. In my opinion both of these perspectives lack the complexities that are apparent with God. One major story in the bible that lends to the idea of fatalism is the story of Pharaoh and Moses. In the Book of Exodus we find that God hardened the heart of Pharaoh in order that his glory may be shown. (See Exodus 7:3,13, 9:12, 10:1, 20,27, 11:10, 14:4,8) This implies that God can and will overrides certain peoples free will, so the actions of those who’s hearts are hardened will allow God to demonstrate his power. One portion of this way of thinking appears to be flawed for this reason; It implies that God requires certain actions of Man to take place before he can perform other actions. Lets get one thing straight first, God does not need anything. If you look at the real beginning of the story God being outside time can determine the Pharaoh’s heart before it was hardened. Exodus 3:19-20 “19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go.”
In the next chapter the LORD said to Moses, “…"When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go” After this, several other verses state the same thing, that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. Have you ever been confronted by someone who makes your blood boil? Could you say that there words or even just there presence hardened your heart? As an “idiom” you could say, “That person Hardened my heart” I believe every reference to the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart is an active idiom. (An idiom is an expression, that is a term or phrase whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal definitions and the arrangement of its parts, but refers instead to a figurative meaning that is known only through common use. Supposedly, in linguistics, idioms are widely assumed to be figures of speech that contradict the principle of compositionality;) “the biblical languages had idioms, colloquialisms, Semitisms, and word usages peculiar to them, which those familiar with the language would understand.” A clear example of this type of usage is found in 1 John 1:10, which states, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him (God) a liar.” No one can make God a liar, but the attempt to deny sin is the equivalent of attempting to make God a liar, which is rendered with an active verb as if it actually happened. Verbs, therefore, can have idiomatic usages that may convey something other than a strict, literal meaning.
The Following is a writing by Kyle Butt, M.A and Dave Miller, ph.D...
With that in mind, Bullinger’s fourth list of idiomatic verbs deals with active verbs that “were used by the Hebrews to express, not the doing of the thing, but the permission of the thing which the agent is said to do” (p. 823, emp. in orig.). To illustrate, in commenting on Exodus 4:21, Bullinger stated: “ ‘I will harden his heart (i.e., I will permit or suffer his heart to be hardened), that he shall not let the people go.’ So in all the passages which speak of the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. As is clear from the common use of the same Idiom in the following passages” (1968, p. 823). He then listed Jeremiah 4:10, “ ‘Lord God, surely thou hast greatly deceived this people’: i.e., thou hast suffered this People to be greatly deceived, by the false prophets….’ ” Ezekiel 14:9 is also given as an example of this type of usage: “ ‘If the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the Lord have deceived that prophet’: i.e., I have permitted him to deceive himself.” James MacKnight, in a lengthy section on biblical idioms, agrees with Bullinger’s assessment that in Hebrew active verbs can express permission and not direct action. This explanation unquestionably clarifies the question of God hardening Pharaoh’s heart. When the text says that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart, it means that God would permit or allow Pharaoh’s heart to be hardened.
A second equally legitimate explanation for the Exodus text is that the allusions to God hardening Pharaoh’s heart are a form of figurative speech, very closely associated with metaphor, known as “metonymy,” where one name or word is employed for another. For example, when we speak of “reading Shakespeare,” we mean that we read his writings or plays. God hardening Pharaoh’s heart would be “metonymy of the subject,” that is, the subject is announced, while some property or circumstance belonging to it is meant. Specifically, under this form of the figure, “[a]n action is sometimes said to have been accomplished, when all that is meant by it is that an occasion was given” (Dungan, 1888, p. 287; cf. Bullinger, 1898, p. 570).
The Bible is replete with examples that illustrate this figure of speech. John reported that “Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John” (John 4:1). In reality, Jesus did not personally baptize anyone (John 4:2). But His teaching and influence caused it to be done. Jesus, the subject, is mentioned, but it is the circumstance of His influence that is intended. His teaching was responsible for people being baptized. Repeatedly in the book of 1 Kings, various kings of Israel are said to have “walked in the way of Jeroboam…who had made Israel sin” (e.g., 1 Kings 16:19,26; 22:52). But Jeroboam did not force either his contemporaries or his successors to sin. Rather, he set an example that they chose to follow. Judas was said to have purchased a field with the money he obtained by betraying Christ (Acts 1:18). But, in reality, he returned the money to the chief priests and then hung himself. The blood money was then used to purchase the field (Matthew 27:5-7). By metonymy of the subject, Judas was said to have done that which his action occasioned. Paul warned Roman Christians: “Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died” (Romans 14:15). What he meant was that they should not set an example that lures weaker brothers into doing what they consider to be wrong. Paul told Corinthian Christians that they were in a position to “save” their unbelieving spouses (1 Corinthians 7:16). He told Timothy that he was in a position to “save” those who listened to his teaching (1 Timothy 4:16). In both cases, Paul meant that proper teaching and a proper example could influence the recipients to obey God’s will for their lives.
Another instance of metonymy of the subject, closely aligned with the example of Pharaoh in Exodus, is the occasion of the conversion of Lydia, the businesswoman from Thyatira. The text states that the “Lord opened her heart” (Acts 16:14). However, the specific means by which God achieved this action was the preaching of Paul. God’s Word, spoken through Paul, created within her a receptive and responsive mind. In like fashion, Jesus is said to have preached to Gentiles as well as to the antediluvian population of Noah’s day (Ephesians 2:17; 1 Peter 3:19). Of course, Jesus did neither—directly. Rather, He operated through agents—through Paul in the first case and through Noah in the latter. Similarly, Nathan accused king David: “You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword” (2 Samuel 12:9). In reality, David sent a letter to his general ordering him to arrange battle positions where Uriah would be more vulnerable to enemy fire. On the basis of metonymy of the subject, David, the subject, is said to have done something that, in actuality, he simply arranged for others to do.
In the case of Pharaoh, “God hardened Pharaoh’s heart” in the sense that God provided the circumstances and the occasion for Pharaoh to be forced to make a decision. God sent Moses to place His demands before Pharaoh. Moses merely announced God’s instructions. God even accompanied His Word with miracles—to confirm the divine origin of the message (cf. Mark 16:20). Pharaoh made up his own mind to resist God’s demands. Of his own accord, he stubbornly refused to comply. Of course, God provided the occasion for Pharaoh to demonstrate his unyielding attitude. If God had not sent Moses, Pharaoh would not have been faced with the dilemma of whether to release the Israelites. So God was certainly the instigator and initiator. But He was not the author of Pharaoh’s defiance.
Notice that in a very real sense, all four of the following statements are true: (1) God hardened Pharaoh’s heart; (2) Moses hardened Pharaoh’s heart; (3) the words that Moses spoke hardened Pharaoh’s heart; (4) Pharaoh hardened his own heart. All four of these observations are accurate, depicting the same truth from different perspectives. In this sense, God is responsible for everything in the Universe, i.e., He has provided the occasion, the circumstances, and the environment in which all things (including people) operate. But He is not guilty of wrong in so doing. From a quick look at a simple Hebrew idiom, it is clear that God did not unjustly or directly harden Pharaoh’s heart. God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34), He does not act unjustly (Psalms 33:5), and He has always allowed humans to exercise their free moral agency (Deuteronomy 30:19). God, however, does use the wrong, stubborn decisions committed by rebellious sinners to further His causes (Isaiah 10:5-11). In the case of Pharaoh’s hardened heart, God can be charged with no injustice, and the Bible can be charged with no contradiction. Humans were created with free moral agency and are culpable for their own actions.
REFERENCES
Bullinger, E.W. (1898), Figures of Speech Used in the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1968 reprint).
Dungan, D.R. (1888), Hermeneutics (Delight, AR: Gospel Light).
Hobbs, Kendall (2003), “Why I Am No Longer a Christian: Ruminations on a Spiritual Journey out of and into the Material World,” [On-line], URL: http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/kendall_hobbs/no_longer.shtml.
MacKnight, James (1954 reprint), Apostolic Epistles (Nashville, TN: Gospel Advocate).
Palmer, Edwin (1972), The Five Points of Calvinism (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker).
Wells, Steve (2001), Skeptic’s Annotated Bible, [On-line], URL: http://www.Skepticsannotatedbible.com>.
Friday, January 04, 2008
The Study of the “Law” & “Sin” Pt. 3
Romans 3
God's Faithfulness
1What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.
3What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? 4Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written:
"So that you may be proved right when you speak
and prevail when you judge."[a]
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Footnote: (1-4) “Paul responds to the objection that his teaching on the sinfulness of all humanity detracts from the religious prerogatives of Israel. He stresses that Jews have remained the vehicle of God's revelation despite their sins, though this depends on the faithfulness of God.” http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/romans/romans3.htm
God trusted his word with Jews. It is special, but its not because they did good, but because God said he would and is faithful to fulfill EVERYTHING he says.
Term: Prerogative
An exclusive right or privilege held by a person or group, especially a hereditary or official right
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5But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" 8Why not say—as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say—"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved.
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(This is the concept we were talking about last week: “If there was no evil, then there would not be good, cause there would be no opposite to compare to)
Footnote: (5-8) God is good because He has always been good and always will be good – regardless of us. Furthermore The Key to this statement is in Paul’s question: “Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?” What paul is saying is this; If Gods reputation of being Good was dependent on our actions and if when we sinned that improved God’s reputation, and by improving God’s reputation we were excluding our self from his judgment… Then NOBODY would be judged since all sin. “…If that were so, how could God judge the world?””
Questions:
-Would a Circle be a Circle if a Square didn’t exist? It may not be called a “Circle” But it sure would exist. Lets say it was the only shape we knew of, maybe we would call it “Shape”
-If you are in a room FULL of light and with, does the light exist? Of course it does there is just nothing that is preventing the light from filling the room.
If evil did not exist, maybe we would not have an actual word for ‘Good’, but that does not mean it would not be present. This concept is really based off of language, with the assumption that the terms and definitions that have be created by man actually determine an objects existence. But, I feel certain that there are things in the universe that have not be defined by man that still exist without out our terms our comparisons.
LETS DISCUSS!!! J
No One is Righteous
9What shall we conclude then? Are we any better[b]? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. 10As it is written:
"There is no one righteous, not even one;
11there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God.
12All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one."[c]
13"Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit."[d]
"The poison of vipers is on their lips."[e]
14"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."[f]
15"Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16ruin and misery mark their ways,
17and the way of peace they do not know."[g]
18"There is no fear of God before their eyes."[h]
Footnote: (9-18) So no one is good? Nope. Look thru each example in the verses and ask yourself this; have you or can you put your self in a situation regardless of how extreme that would make each one of the examples true to your self? God & Paul are talking about entirety. People have Good in them, but they are not Good. People say good things about each other, but we also say bad things. Most people are peaceful, but given the right circumstance, “Their feet are swift to shed blood” I know I would be quick to shed blood if you put Osama Bin Laden in front of me. See, It does not matter how good we think we are, EACH person has or will/would fall short in every category that Paul gives.
Question: Is water still water if you add Rum to it? No, it’s an alchoholic beverage. Water in its PURE form is the ONLY liquid that can sustain life ultimately. So, are Humans Good, if you add unrighteousness, deceit, fear etc, into the mix, even in the smallest amounts? No, not really.
Although we have Good in us, we are not Good. Lets look at this portion from a different perspective…
9What shall we conclude then? Are we any better[b]? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. 10As it is written:
"There is no one righteous without faith, not even one;
11there is no one who understands everything,
no one who seeks God always.
12All have turned away at some point,
they have together become worthless, and require Jesus to be saved ;
there is no one who Always does good,
not even one."[c]
13"Their throats have been open graves;
their tongues practice deceit."[d]
"The poison of vipers is on their lips."[e]
14"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."[f]
15"Their feet are swift to shed blood given the right circumstance;
16ruin and misery mark their ways,
17and the way of peace they do not know."[g]
18"There is no fear of God before their eyes."[h]
19Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
Footnote (20) HUGE!!! This IS the purpose of the law for the Christian (“…rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.”)
Righteousness Through Faith
21But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Terms:
Forbearance: Tolerance and restraint in the face of provocation (to provoke); patience
Atonement: Amends or reparation made for an injury or wrong; expiation.
27Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. 29Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
Footnote: (27-31)
Jewish Arguer: Ah no Boasting?
Paul: No!
Jewish Arguer: Why not? The law doesn’t say we cant boast!
Paul: Do you agree that a man is justified by faith and not by observing the law?
Jewish Arguer: Yes.
Paul: Is God the God of Jews as well as Gentiles?
Jewish Arguer: Yes
Paul: Then what do you have to boast about?
God's Faithfulness
1What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew, or what value is there in circumcision? 2Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God.
3What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfulness? 4Not at all! Let God be true, and every man a liar. As it is written:
"So that you may be proved right when you speak
and prevail when you judge."[a]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Footnote: (1-4) “Paul responds to the objection that his teaching on the sinfulness of all humanity detracts from the religious prerogatives of Israel. He stresses that Jews have remained the vehicle of God's revelation despite their sins, though this depends on the faithfulness of God.” http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible/romans/romans3.htm
God trusted his word with Jews. It is special, but its not because they did good, but because God said he would and is faithful to fulfill EVERYTHING he says.
Term: Prerogative
An exclusive right or privilege held by a person or group, especially a hereditary or official right
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5But if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) 6Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? 7Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" 8Why not say—as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say—"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(This is the concept we were talking about last week: “If there was no evil, then there would not be good, cause there would be no opposite to compare to)
Footnote: (5-8) God is good because He has always been good and always will be good – regardless of us. Furthermore The Key to this statement is in Paul’s question: “Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world?” What paul is saying is this; If Gods reputation of being Good was dependent on our actions and if when we sinned that improved God’s reputation, and by improving God’s reputation we were excluding our self from his judgment… Then NOBODY would be judged since all sin. “…If that were so, how could God judge the world?””
Questions:
-Would a Circle be a Circle if a Square didn’t exist? It may not be called a “Circle” But it sure would exist. Lets say it was the only shape we knew of, maybe we would call it “Shape”
-If you are in a room FULL of light and with, does the light exist? Of course it does there is just nothing that is preventing the light from filling the room.
If evil did not exist, maybe we would not have an actual word for ‘Good’, but that does not mean it would not be present. This concept is really based off of language, with the assumption that the terms and definitions that have be created by man actually determine an objects existence. But, I feel certain that there are things in the universe that have not be defined by man that still exist without out our terms our comparisons.
LETS DISCUSS!!! J
No One is Righteous
9What shall we conclude then? Are we any better[b]? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. 10As it is written:
"There is no one righteous, not even one;
11there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God.
12All have turned away,
they have together become worthless;
there is no one who does good,
not even one."[c]
13"Their throats are open graves;
their tongues practice deceit."[d]
"The poison of vipers is on their lips."[e]
14"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."[f]
15"Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16ruin and misery mark their ways,
17and the way of peace they do not know."[g]
18"There is no fear of God before their eyes."[h]
Footnote: (9-18) So no one is good? Nope. Look thru each example in the verses and ask yourself this; have you or can you put your self in a situation regardless of how extreme that would make each one of the examples true to your self? God & Paul are talking about entirety. People have Good in them, but they are not Good. People say good things about each other, but we also say bad things. Most people are peaceful, but given the right circumstance, “Their feet are swift to shed blood” I know I would be quick to shed blood if you put Osama Bin Laden in front of me. See, It does not matter how good we think we are, EACH person has or will/would fall short in every category that Paul gives.
Question: Is water still water if you add Rum to it? No, it’s an alchoholic beverage. Water in its PURE form is the ONLY liquid that can sustain life ultimately. So, are Humans Good, if you add unrighteousness, deceit, fear etc, into the mix, even in the smallest amounts? No, not really.
Although we have Good in us, we are not Good. Lets look at this portion from a different perspective…
9What shall we conclude then? Are we any better[b]? Not at all! We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. 10As it is written:
"There is no one righteous without faith, not even one;
11there is no one who understands everything,
no one who seeks God always.
12All have turned away at some point,
they have together become worthless, and require Jesus to be saved ;
there is no one who Always does good,
not even one."[c]
13"Their throats have been open graves;
their tongues practice deceit."[d]
"The poison of vipers is on their lips."[e]
14"Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness."[f]
15"Their feet are swift to shed blood given the right circumstance;
16ruin and misery mark their ways,
17and the way of peace they do not know."[g]
18"There is no fear of God before their eyes."[h]
19Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.
Footnote (20) HUGE!!! This IS the purpose of the law for the Christian (“…rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.”)
Righteousness Through Faith
21But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement,[i] through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— 26he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Terms:
Forbearance: Tolerance and restraint in the face of provocation (to provoke); patience
Atonement: Amends or reparation made for an injury or wrong; expiation.
27Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith. 28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law. 29Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.
Footnote: (27-31)
Jewish Arguer: Ah no Boasting?
Paul: No!
Jewish Arguer: Why not? The law doesn’t say we cant boast!
Paul: Do you agree that a man is justified by faith and not by observing the law?
Jewish Arguer: Yes.
Paul: Is God the God of Jews as well as Gentiles?
Jewish Arguer: Yes
Paul: Then what do you have to boast about?
Einstien Slaps His Teacher, Metaphorically Speaking
Did God create everything that exists? Does evil exist? Did God create evil?
A University professor at a well known institution of higher learning challenged his students with this question. "Did God create everything that exists?"
A student bravely replied, "Yes he did!"
"God created everything?" The professor asked.
"Yes sir, he certainly did," the student replied.
The professor answered, "If God created everything; then God created evil. And, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then we can assume God is evil."
The student became quiet and did not answer the professor's hypothetical definition. The professor, quite pleased with himself, boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the Christian faith was a myth.
Another student raised his hand and said, "May I ask you a question, professor?"
"Of course", replied the professor.
The student stood up and asked, "Professor, does cold exist?"
"What kind of question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?"
The other students snickered at the young man's question.
The young man replied, "In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-460 F) is the total absence of heat; and all matter becomes inert and incapable of reaction at that temperature. Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat."
The student continued, "Professor, does darkness exist?"
The professor responded, "Of course it does."
The student replied, "Once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact, we can use Newton's prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color.
You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present."
Finally the young man asked the professor, "Sir, does evil exist?"
Now uncertain, the professor responded, "Of course, as I have already said. We see it everyday. It is in the daily examples of man's Inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.
To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist, sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat, or the darkness that comes when there is no light."
The professor sat down.
The young man's name - Albert Einstein 7
A University professor at a well known institution of higher learning challenged his students with this question. "Did God create everything that exists?"
A student bravely replied, "Yes he did!"
"God created everything?" The professor asked.
"Yes sir, he certainly did," the student replied.
The professor answered, "If God created everything; then God created evil. And, since evil exists, and according to the principle that our works define who we are, then we can assume God is evil."
The student became quiet and did not answer the professor's hypothetical definition. The professor, quite pleased with himself, boasted to the students that he had proven once more that the Christian faith was a myth.
Another student raised his hand and said, "May I ask you a question, professor?"
"Of course", replied the professor.
The student stood up and asked, "Professor, does cold exist?"
"What kind of question is this? Of course it exists. Have you never been cold?"
The other students snickered at the young man's question.
The young man replied, "In fact sir, cold does not exist. According to the laws of physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat. Every body or object is susceptible to study when it has or transmits energy, and heat is what makes a body or matter have or transmit energy. Absolute zero (-460 F) is the total absence of heat; and all matter becomes inert and incapable of reaction at that temperature. Cold does not exist. We have created this word to describe how we feel if we have no heat."
The student continued, "Professor, does darkness exist?"
The professor responded, "Of course it does."
The student replied, "Once again you are wrong sir, darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light. Light we can study, but not darkness. In fact, we can use Newton's prism to break white light into many colors and study the various wavelengths of each color.
You cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Isn't this correct? Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present."
Finally the young man asked the professor, "Sir, does evil exist?"
Now uncertain, the professor responded, "Of course, as I have already said. We see it everyday. It is in the daily examples of man's Inhumanity to man. It is in the multitude of crime and violence everywhere in the world. These manifestations are nothing else but evil.
To this the student replied, "Evil does not exist, sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. Evil is simply the absence of God. It is just like darkness and cold, a word that man has created to describe the absence of God. God did not create evil. Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. It's like the cold that comes when there is no heat, or the darkness that comes when there is no light."
The professor sat down.
The young man's name - Albert Einstein 7
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