Sorry for the delay gregor, I've been really busy.
Then God gives us all a free moral will to do as we wish and to accept or reject Him. A very big contradiction. Right. It would seem.
That's what mainstream christianity has taught for years, but I find biblical support that it is God who is in control. God's will, not ours, be done.
If you read the account of Moses and Pharaoh you will see that at first it was God that hardened the heart of Pharoah. Then later on you will see a change in that the bible states that Pharaoh hardened his own heart. God did not have to.
Now gregor, I know you don't think the bible is contradictory. God explains to Moses what will happen in the verses below. Later, when it's happening, the bible simply tells what is happening. Pharoah did harden his heart (Ex 8:17) because God ordered it (Ex 7:3)
Exodus 7:1 And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh; and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.
2 Thou shalt speak all that I command thee; and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.
3 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt.
Paul gets into the discussion of Pharaoh being predestined to be lost.
Are you saying that Paul's text is not inspired?
John 1:12&13 says that believers are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
The problem with your argument gregor is you give carnal man too much credit. All things being equal, man will never choose God of his own "free will". Free will simply means unlimited choice without outside influence. Mankind must be coerced by the holy spirit. And since the "chief of sinners" Saul could not reject Christ, ordinary sinners will also accept Him. But each in his own order. (See 1 Corinthians 15:22&23).
Thanks for the reply gregor.
Have a great week.
alan w |
