Pre-Destination / Free Will, #RAD even
Pre-Destination
/ Free Will (The idea that G-d {Christ} “hates” some, “loves” others and
predetermines or pre-destines all to the final destination of His choosing,
devoid of “free will” and / or individual choices)
Simple blunt fact, heresy or part of a more multifaceted picture?
Simple blunt fact, heresy or part of a more multifaceted picture?
Yes,
Romans 8:29 & 30 very clearly say - "...he did
foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son...", KJV
But
without considering the context of Romans 8:26 thru 8:33, PLUS all of Romans 8,
PLUS the context of the entire Book of Romans as well as the broader context of
the entire counsel of the Word of G-d (Christ), which includes all 66 Books of
the Holy Bible, one could find oneself in the crosshairs of heresy
(bastardizing the very Word of G-d he or she purports to be defending).
While
Romans 8:29, as a stand-alone verse, does say: 'he
also did predestine',
the verse in II Peter, Chapter 3 verse 9 very clearly says that '…He
is Not *willing* that any should perish...'
To
take Romans 8 or II Peter 3, alone, and ignore the other, is akin to 'Adding to
(modifying / deviating from) G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word'. And this is indeed wise counsel:
Add
not to His words...
“6 Add thou not unto
his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.” - Proverbs 30:6,
KJV Ponder that for a spell
In
the mean time I have put together some thoughts on this interesting and rather
controversial subject, well the above two points “Pre-Destination” & “Free
Will”, plus the ideology that G-d (Christ) “hates”, at least some
of, humankind.
First - a look at the use of the English word “hate”, as applied to humankind in the Biblical texts. Over the past couple of weeks I have had several people either inbox me via Facebook PM’s, or challenge my (and other’s) assertions that “G-d (Christ) loves all people” - (John 3:16 & 17) - in public Forums. Two of the most common points of reference are Romans 9:13 and Malachi 1:3, which before even moving on to points of “context”, I feel one must first consider the use of the English word “hate” in conjunction with both the Hebrew and Greek words.
First - a look at the use of the English word “hate”, as applied to humankind in the Biblical texts. Over the past couple of weeks I have had several people either inbox me via Facebook PM’s, or challenge my (and other’s) assertions that “G-d (Christ) loves all people” - (John 3:16 & 17) - in public Forums. Two of the most common points of reference are Romans 9:13 and Malachi 1:3, which before even moving on to points of “context”, I feel one must first consider the use of the English word “hate” in conjunction with both the Hebrew and Greek words.
The
Hebrew word “sane” (שָׂנֵא), phonetically spelled
(saw-nay') ( 1 ),
and the Greek word “miseó” μισέω, phonetically spelled
(mis-eh'-o) ( 2 ),
both traditionally mean to “hate”, “detest”, “love less” and “esteem less”. Thus if one only looks at verses such as Romans
9:13 and Malachi 1:3 as stand-alone verses, taking the word(s) “miseó” μισέω, & “sane” (שָׂנֵא) to mean exclusively to “hate” or “detest”,
and not also take into consideration both the broader context of G-d’s (Christ’s)
Holy Word and the broader meaning(s) of the word(s) “miseó” μισέω, & “sane” (שָׂנֵא), being to “love less” and even “esteem
less”, it is easy to see how people can get things very askew.
Now moving on to context, when one also considers passages such as:
Luke 14:26 and I John 3:15,
Especially in view of the fact that both of these texts use the same Greek word – “miseó” μισέω – one is bound to conclude that the Bible is very contradictory. When the simple fact is that, while the English word “hate”, from the Greek word “miseó” μισέω, is indeed very blunt, harsh and absolute, there are broader (softer) meanings for the Greek word - “love less” even “esteem less”. And even in the Hebrew, the word “sane” (שָׂנֵא) which is used in Leviticus 19:17 in the sense of NOT despising one’s brother, even if they’ve committed a heinous crime – “17 Do not hate your brother in your heart, but rebuke your neighbor frankly, so that you won’t carry sin because of him.” – CJB.
Quoting – “26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.” – End Quote, Luke 14:26 HCSB and
Quoting – “15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.” – End Quote, I John 3:15 CJB.
One cannot, in clear conscience, take the English word rendered “hate”, as always to exclusively mean - ‘to despise’.
Now moving on to context, when one also considers passages such as:
Luke 14:26 and I John 3:15,
Especially in view of the fact that both of these texts use the same Greek word – “miseó” μισέω – one is bound to conclude that the Bible is very contradictory. When the simple fact is that, while the English word “hate”, from the Greek word “miseó” μισέω, is indeed very blunt, harsh and absolute, there are broader (softer) meanings for the Greek word - “love less” even “esteem less”. And even in the Hebrew, the word “sane” (שָׂנֵא) which is used in Leviticus 19:17 in the sense of NOT despising one’s brother, even if they’ve committed a heinous crime – “17 Do not hate your brother in your heart, but rebuke your neighbor frankly, so that you won’t carry sin because of him.” – CJB.
Quoting – “26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.” – End Quote, Luke 14:26 HCSB and
Quoting – “15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.” – End Quote, I John 3:15 CJB.
One cannot, in clear conscience, take the English word rendered “hate”, as always to exclusively mean - ‘to despise’.
By
the way this is not about making a plea for G-d’s (Christ’s) children to rely
on their own human flawed understanding, and decide – ‘well this seems
*reasonable* and that does not seem *reasonable*.’ – NOT at all! G-d is sovereign, and G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word
clearly tells us that – “9 His ways are
higher than our ways”
– Isaiah 55:9, and that “there is a way
which seems right to a man, but the end therein is death” – Proverbs 12:15,
Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 16:25 and Romans 6:21.
Rather this is about something much more akin to the “Great Trilemma” as
coined by C.S. Lewis:
G-d (Christ) is either LIAR, LUNATIC or LORD.
Either G-d (Christ) is a raving lunatic, or a pathological liar, to tell His disciples on the one hand (Luke 14:26) to hate your brothers, and then also tell folk that (I John 3:15) if you hate, there is no place for you in Heaven. OR, Christ is Lord, He cannot lie, and that there’s more to this use of the English word ‘hate’ that must be realized from the broader context of the whole of G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word, the Bible. And helping us see what is in keeping with the broader context of the FULL counsel of G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word is something that the Holy Ghost is here for.
Second - let’s consider Pre-Destination. What does G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word have to say about “Pre-Destination”? A great deal actually is said in G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word about Pre-Destination. Romans 8:29 & 30 is a pretty clear, and is an oft quoted set of ‘proof’ texts for Pre-Destination. Though there are many texts ( 3 ) that likewise present and even support Pre-Destination, context must always be considered. Context such as Romans 8:26 – 33, as well as the broader context of all 66 Books of the Holy Bible:
G-d (Christ) is either LIAR, LUNATIC or LORD.
Either G-d (Christ) is a raving lunatic, or a pathological liar, to tell His disciples on the one hand (Luke 14:26) to hate your brothers, and then also tell folk that (I John 3:15) if you hate, there is no place for you in Heaven. OR, Christ is Lord, He cannot lie, and that there’s more to this use of the English word ‘hate’ that must be realized from the broader context of the whole of G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word, the Bible. And helping us see what is in keeping with the broader context of the FULL counsel of G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word is something that the Holy Ghost is here for.
Second - let’s consider Pre-Destination. What does G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word have to say about “Pre-Destination”? A great deal actually is said in G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word about Pre-Destination. Romans 8:29 & 30 is a pretty clear, and is an oft quoted set of ‘proof’ texts for Pre-Destination. Though there are many texts ( 3 ) that likewise present and even support Pre-Destination, context must always be considered. Context such as Romans 8:26 – 33, as well as the broader context of all 66 Books of the Holy Bible:
Thus
it can be clearly seen that, Pre-Destination is a biblical doctrine. But is Pre-Destination truly just an exclusive, stand-alone absolute biblical
doctrine? Or… is it, at least
possible, that there is more - a much more multifaceted - “more” to the
obviously biblical doctrine of Pre-Destination? Ponder this now for a spell
Third - let’s take a look at “Free Will” next shall we! We do not see anywhere in the Bible where G-d (Christ) rejects those who turn to Him, seeking Him earnestly. Deuteronomy 4:29 - “…seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him…” - “…if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.” - AMP. We read in II Peter 3:9 that the Lord is - “…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Here too II Peter 3:9 is a pretty clear, and is an oft quoted set of ‘proof’ texts for Free Will. And once more though there are many texts ( 4 ) that likewise present and even support Free Will, context must always be considered.
Third - let’s take a look at “Free Will” next shall we! We do not see anywhere in the Bible where G-d (Christ) rejects those who turn to Him, seeking Him earnestly. Deuteronomy 4:29 - “…seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him…” - “…if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul.” - AMP. We read in II Peter 3:9 that the Lord is - “…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Here too II Peter 3:9 is a pretty clear, and is an oft quoted set of ‘proof’ texts for Free Will. And once more though there are many texts ( 4 ) that likewise present and even support Free Will, context must always be considered.
Hereto
it can be clearly seen that, Free Will is indeed a biblical doctrine. But is Free Will truly just an exclusive, stand-alone absolute biblical
doctrine? Or… is it, at least
possible, that there is more - a much more multifaceted - “more” to the
obviously biblical doctrine of Free Will? Ponder this now for a spell
Again
to take Romans 8 or II Peter 3, alone, and ignore the other, is akin to 'Adding
to (modifying / deviating from) G-d’s (Christ’s) Holy Word'. Therefore then, if the Bible does say (use
the words) - “G-d ‘hated’ Esau” ( 5
) , - but also says (uses the words) -
“…everyone who hates his brother… eternal life cannot abide in…” ( 6 ). And if the Bible also does say (use the
words) - “…He {G-d (Christ)}… predestined …” ( 7 ) - but also says (uses the words) - “…not willing
that any person would perish…” ( 8
), then we are back to the aforementioned Trilemma, no?
G-d
(Christ) must surely seem very fickle to say on the one hand that, He personally
hates some and yet He also states that anyone who hates another cannot see
heaven. ( 9 ) That, if
you do not hate your own mother or brother, you’re not fit for heaven and yet
He also tells us that anyone who says ‘he is in the light’ while hating his
brother, remains in darkness. ( 10
) Fickle at least, in the sense that on
the surface these things do seem to be contradictory. Are they though?
What does Pre-Destination as an exclusive, stand-alone absolute biblical doctrine mean or imply then? Were Adam & Eve not created to live forever (without sin) in perfect harmony with G-d (Christ) in paradise? If either was created with the sole Pre-Destined purpose to rebel, where does this leave Free Will? If, as Pre-Destination is often preached, Adam and Eve were created with the Pre-Destined purpose to rebel, with the ‘in G-d’s WILL’ purpose to rebel, why would He punish them for fulfilling His perfect Will?
What does Pre-Destination as an exclusive, stand-alone absolute biblical doctrine mean or imply then? Were Adam & Eve not created to live forever (without sin) in perfect harmony with G-d (Christ) in paradise? If either was created with the sole Pre-Destined purpose to rebel, where does this leave Free Will? If, as Pre-Destination is often preached, Adam and Eve were created with the Pre-Destined purpose to rebel, with the ‘in G-d’s WILL’ purpose to rebel, why would He punish them for fulfilling His perfect Will?
How
does Free Will as an exclusive, stand-alone absolute biblical doctrine apply to the Christian walk? What does it mean or imply then? Did Adam & Eve not have the Free Will to
choose to either rebel or obey, G-d’s (Christ’s) simple directive ( 11 )?
Many
(I think / believe) take the mistaken position that because G-d (Christ) in His
infinite foreknowledge ( 12
), knew (knows) the end from the beginning ( 12 ), actually planned, intentionally willed, desired
and wholeheartedly WANTED things to be a given way. Consider what we read in Genesis 1:1 ( 13 ), as rendered in Ancient
Hebrew Pictograph text ( 15
), and that even the very FIRST word of TORAH, "Bereishit" as
depicted in Ancient Hebrew Pictograph ( 15
). This is supported by both I Peter
1:20 and Acts 2:23 ( 14
).
Genesis 1:1 says, in almost any English rendering – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” – and as rendered via the Ancient Hebrew Pictographs, it can be translated as saying – “The Son of God, destroyed by the hand of God at the Cross” – see ( 15 ). The point?
The point is simple – G-d knew even before He created anything, that – humankind would rebel, and rebel in the extreme, such that they (humankind) would be hopelessly lost. So *knowing* that man’s only HOPE would be in the form of Christ’s redemptive shed blood, G-d saw fit to have His message of hope buried in the very first word of the Bible. But does this mean that G-d intended for, actually planned, intentionally willed, desired and wholeheartedly WANTED to send His only Son?
Genesis 1:1 says, in almost any English rendering – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” – and as rendered via the Ancient Hebrew Pictographs, it can be translated as saying – “The Son of God, destroyed by the hand of God at the Cross” – see ( 15 ). The point?
The point is simple – G-d knew even before He created anything, that – humankind would rebel, and rebel in the extreme, such that they (humankind) would be hopelessly lost. So *knowing* that man’s only HOPE would be in the form of Christ’s redemptive shed blood, G-d saw fit to have His message of hope buried in the very first word of the Bible. But does this mean that G-d intended for, actually planned, intentionally willed, desired and wholeheartedly WANTED to send His only Son?
Romans
8 makes it clear that G-d (Christ) has a Pre-Destined plan for us all... and in
II Peter 3:9 we read that G-d (Christ) has a WILL for none to be lost. And passages such as Romans 9:13 & Luke
14:26 speak of ‘hating’ (albeit in differing contexts), while I John 3:15
provides an ominous warning against hating!
So, if II Peter 3, Ezekiel 33, I Timothy 2 and others are correct, that G-d's (Christ's) will is for all to come to repentance (which is what He predestined all for)... why are some perishing?
So, if II Peter 3, Ezekiel 33, I Timothy 2 and others are correct, that G-d's (Christ's) will is for all to come to repentance (which is what He predestined all for)... why are some perishing?
Willful
choices to sin. Sin by acts of
commission as well as sin by acts of omission. Including heretical (bastardizing the very
Word of G-d) teachings like, but not limited only to - teachings that G-d
(Christ):
Hates
some people
Wills
that some go to hell
Etc.
“No
Jesus, NO peace” and yet, “Know Jesus, KNOW peace”
How
does one get to “know” Jesus? Simple,
invite Him into your heart, as Jesus says: “Here I am! I stand at the door and
knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with
him, and he with me.” [Revelation
3:20 NIV] How can we be assured that this Jesus stuff
means anything? Well because the Bible
tells us so, as the Apostle Paul wrote:
“If
you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that
God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart
that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess
your faith and are saved.” [Romans
10:9-10 NIV]
And
for those of you who say to me, I can’t be bothered reading the Bible, “it’s
confusing” or “it’s a waste of my time”, may I draw your attention to what the
Bible says about wisdom: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and
knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” [Proverbs 9:10 NIV]
If
nothing else, PLEASE read two chapters from the Bible – (don’t own one, sorry
NO excuse, if you’re reading this, you can access this: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%203:16&version=NIV) John 3 and John
14!
John
3:16 says: “For God so loved the world
that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not
perish but have eternal life.”
And
John 14:6 says: “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No
one comes to the Father except through me.”
Well
that’s it, that’s Da Bauz’s take on, Pre-Destination and / or Free Will, this 27th
day of October, 2015 © 2015, All Rights Reserved. wr (Da Bauz, Christian
Zionist “creationist” too!)
R
epent of rejecting Christ
A
ccept Christ as your Lord
D
evelop your relationship with the Living Almighty God Himself as your personal Lord
and Saviour
John
3:16, Revelation 3:20, Romans 10:9 -10, Revelation 21:27, II Corinthians 5:21
and I John 5:13 / John 20:31!
Shalom!
Cited or consulted
sources and resources
( 1 ) - http://bit.ly/1RxDqYp - Strong's Concordance - sane - Hebrew
( 1 ) - http://bit.ly/1RxDqYp - Strong's Concordance - sane - Hebrew
(
3 ) - Romans
9:23,
Romans 11:2, Ephesians
1:5,
Ephesians 1:11, Matthew
24:22,
Matthew 24:31, Mark
13:20,
Mark 13:27, Romans
8:33,
Romans 9:11, Colossians
3:12,
1 Thessalonians 1:4, Timothy
2:10,
Titus 1:1, I
Peter 1:1
to I Peter 1:2 and II
Peter 1:10
to name a few.
(
4 ) - Ezekiel
33:11,
I Timothy 2:4, Revelation
2:21,
Ezekiel 18:32, Acts
3:19,
Isaiah 55:7, Ezekiel
18:23,
John 3:17, Job
37:23,
Romans 11:14, II
Peter 3:9,
Isaiah 49:18, Romans
5:6,
Isaiah 55:6, Jeremiah
3:12,
Jeremiah 3:22, Lamentations
3:33,
Romans 5:8 & my personal
favourite II Chronicles 7:14 to name a few.
( 5 ) - Romans 9:13 & Malachi 1:3
( 6 ) - 1 John 3:15 & Leviticus 19:17
( 7 ) - Romans 8:29 & Ephesians 1:5
( 8 ) - II Peter 3:9 & I Timothy 2:4
( 9 ) - Romans 9:13 & 1 John 3:15
( 5 ) - Romans 9:13 & Malachi 1:3
( 6 ) - 1 John 3:15 & Leviticus 19:17
( 7 ) - Romans 8:29 & Ephesians 1:5
( 8 ) - II Peter 3:9 & I Timothy 2:4
( 9 ) - Romans 9:13 & 1 John 3:15
Additional Resources
The website(s) “Got Questions” (predestination) - http://bit.ly/1jGACxL & (Predestination and Election) http://bit.ly/1jGBend & “Hate Esau” (love Jacob and hate Esau) - http://bit.ly/1WdZQEQ & “Free Will” - http://bit.ly/1OVDS5d and “C.A.R.M.” (Predestination) - http://bit.ly/1jGAYV2 & (Predestination and Free will) - http://bit.ly/1jGBiTI & (love Jacob and hate Esau) - http://bit.ly/1WdZWfu & “Free Will” - http://bit.ly/1OVE842 contain some additional information on the biblical concept of “Pre-Destination”, “Free Will” and “G-d (Christ) “hates”.
No comments:
Post a Comment