Zone1 Another question to ponder.

[SweetSue92]

Yet many are predestined for hell. There is nothing to be done about it. That is what god created them for.

God says, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion". (Romans 9:15)....because He is God.

 

[Slyhunter]

Got any complaints with the NT? It's a simple question.

One. It depicts a different God with different attitudes towards us in comparison to the OT.

 

[Slyhunter]

God says, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion". (Romans 9:15)....because He is God.

e are just clay pots subject to the whims of our creator.

 

[BULLDOG]

God says, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion". (Romans 9:15)....because He is God.

It's easy enough to imagine him stomping his foot as he says that in Cartman's voice.

 

[Meriweather]

It's easy enough to imagine him stomping his foot as he says that in Cartman's voice.

And if he has different expectations of other people, each person being unique and all?

 

[BULLDOG]

And if he has different expectations of other people, each person being unique and all?

It's obvious you can justify anything in your own mind. Common sense and logic mean nothing at that point.. When a discussion reaches that point, it's no longer interesting. Believe as you will. I must disagree.

 

[Meriweather]

It's obvious you can justify anything in your own mind. Common sense and logic mean nothing at that point.. When a discussion reaches that point, it's no longer interesting. Believe as you will. I must disagree.

What is more obvious is that I have more experience than you in more ways than one. Do you have children? Are they always treated exactly the same, or is it each according to need and or outcome? I teach. Two students can commit the same offense. I can grant mercy to both. One will be grateful and give up the behavior. The other will go on to commit a worse offense, as he got off so easily for the first. That is experience, common sense, and logic. But, when it is not recognized...

 

[ding]

One. It depicts a different God with different attitudes towards us in comparison to the OT.

That's a very Gnostic Christian belief. So you aren't first person who is unable to reconcile the NT with the OT. But to your point, the Israelite's didn't see it that way. They saw God as loving an caring. Maybe it's your inability to distinguish between embellishment and the point of the accounts.

But putting that aside, it sounds like you have no complaints with the NT and your only complaints are with the OT.

 

[ding]

Almost everything I said had to do with joy on some level. That was before reading the parts that usually aren't discussed before the congregation. I experience more joy now than I thought I did then. I know my joy is based in reality.

So you are saying you hadn't read all of the bible before becoming a deacon?

 

[BULLDOG]

What is more obvious is that I have more experience than you in more ways than one. Do you have children? Are they always treated exactly the same, or is it each according to need and or outcome? I teach. Two students can commit the same offense. I can grant mercy to both. One will be grateful and give up the behavior. The other will go on to commit a worse offense, as he got off so easily for the first. That is experience, common sense, and logic. But, when it is not recognized...

You can believe all that if it makes you feel better about yourself. I don't mind.

 

[BULLDOG]

So you are saying you hadn't read all of the bible before becoming a deacon?

Not really read it. I had skimmed through it noting the parts I had already been taught, but not really considering anything I hadn't already had pointed out to me.

 

[ding]

Not really read it. I had skimmed through it noting the parts I had already been taught, but not really considering anything I hadn't already had pointed out to me.

That's hilarious.

 

[Meriweather]

You can believe all that if it makes you feel better about yourself. I don't mind.

Shrug. I never asked that or anything of you. You might consider you don't read me as well as you imagine, but I doubt that will happen.

 

[SweetSue92]

It's easy enough to imagine him stomping his foot as he says that in Cartman's voice.

Who knew Cartman is all-loving, all-knowing, holy, omniscient, omnipresent, and wholly just. Huh

 

[Slyhunter]

That's a very Gnostic Christian belief. So you aren't first person who is unable to reconcile the NT with the OT. But to your point, the Israelite's didn't see it that way. They saw God as loving an caring. Maybe it's your inability to distinguish between embellishment and the point of the accounts.

But putting that aside, it sounds like you have no complaints with the NT and your only complaints are with the OT.

The OT established he was a vain jealous God, a verry demanding an particular God to be feared not loved. Then suddenly in the NT he's a kind loving God who only wants the best for us.

 

[Slyhunter]

BTW I do not have photographic memory but as aa Kid I had full access to the Church of the Brethren's General International Office Library as e lived across the street from it and my father worked night and day there and had a key to the place. I as an avid reader and went through all their religious texts back then. Even tried to build a family tree from the Bible.

 

[ding]

The OT established he was a vain jealous God, a verry demanding an particular God to be feared not loved. Then suddenly in the NT he's a kind loving God who only wants the best for us.

That maybe how you read parts of it but that's not how they saw it back in the day. Try reading Psalms.

 

[ding]

BTW I do not have photographic memory but as aa Kid I had full access to the Church of the Brethren's General International Office Library as e lived across the street from it and my father worked night and day there and had a key to the place. I as an avid reader and went through all their religious texts back then. Even tried to build a family tree from the Bible.

Then it's even more surprising that you didn't pick up on the fact that in OT biblical times God was seen as loving and compassionate. It seems you totally missed the boat on that one.

The Old Testament reveals a loving and compassionate God through verses describing Him as gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in mercy, notably in Exodus 34:6 ("The Lord, the Lord, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness") and Psalm 145:8-9, highlighting His constant care and tender mercies over all creation, with Lamentations 3:22-23 emphasizing His unfailing mercies that renew daily, offering hope even in suffering.

Key Verses on God's Compassion & Love

• Exodus 34:6-7: God proclaims His name: "The Lord, the Lord, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin".
• Psalm 86:15: "But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness".
• Psalm 103:8 (and 13): "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love...As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him".
• Psalm 145:8: "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love".
• Lamentations 3:22-23: "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!".
• Isaiah 49:13: "Sing for joy, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth; break forth into song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted".
• Micah 7:18-19: "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives transgression...You will have compassion on us; you will tread our iniquities underfoot and throw all our sins into the depths of the sea".

God's Compassion in Action (Examples)

• Exodus 3:7-8: God sees Israel's oppression and hears their cry, knowing their sorrows, moved to bring them out of Egypt.
• Hosea 11:8: "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?...My heart rets in me; my compassion is stirred".
• Zechariah 10:6: God promises to strengthen Judah and have mercy on them, bringing them back.

 

[Slyhunter]

Then it's even more surprising that you didn't pick up on the fact that in OT biblical times God was seen as loving and compassionate. It seems you totally missed the boat on that one.

The Old Testament reveals a loving and compassionate God through verses describing Him as gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in mercy, notably in Exodus 34:6 ("The Lord, the Lord, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness") and Psalm 145:8-9, highlighting His constant care and tender mercies over all creation, with Lamentations 3:22-23 emphasizing His unfailing mercies that renew daily, offering hope even in suffering.

Key Verses on God's Compassion & Love

• Exodus 34:6-7: God proclaims His name: "The Lord, the Lord, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin".
• Psalm 86:15: "But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness".
• Psalm 103:8 (and 13): "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love...As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him".
• Psalm 145:8: "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love".
• Lamentations 3:22-23: "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!".
• Isaiah 49:13: "Sing for joy, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth; break forth into song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted".
• Micah 7:18-19: "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives transgression...You will have compassion on us; you will tread our iniquities underfoot and throw all our sins into the depths of the sea".

God's Compassion in Action (Examples)

• Exodus 3:7-8: God sees Israel's oppression and hears their cry, knowing their sorrows, moved to bring them out of Egypt.
• Hosea 11:8: "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?...My heart rets in me; my compassion is stirred".
• Zechariah 10:6: God promises to strengthen Judah and have mercy on them, bringing them back.

One verse he's loving and compassionate, the next he's committing genocide over a minor transgression, turning a man to ass for daring to try to prevent and altar from tipping over and falling. Make the wrong symbols during worship get turned to ass. kill your only son to prove your devotion to him.

 

[BULLDOG]

Then it's even more surprising that you didn't pick up on the fact that in OT biblical times God was seen as loving and compassionate. It seems you totally missed the boat on that one.

The Old Testament reveals a loving and compassionate God through verses describing Him as gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in mercy, notably in Exodus 34:6 ("The Lord, the Lord, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness") and Psalm 145:8-9, highlighting His constant care and tender mercies over all creation, with Lamentations 3:22-23 emphasizing His unfailing mercies that renew daily, offering hope even in suffering.

Key Verses on God's Compassion & Love

• Exodus 34:6-7: God proclaims His name: "The Lord, the Lord, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin".
• Psalm 86:15: "But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness".
• Psalm 103:8 (and 13): "The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love...As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him".
• Psalm 145:8: "The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love".
• Lamentations 3:22-23: "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!".
• Isaiah 49:13: "Sing for joy, O heavens, and rejoice, O earth; break forth into song, O mountains! For the LORD has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted".
• Micah 7:18-19: "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives transgression...You will have compassion on us; you will tread our iniquities underfoot and throw all our sins into the depths of the sea".

God's Compassion in Action (Examples)

• Exodus 3:7-8: God sees Israel's oppression and hears their cry, knowing their sorrows, moved to bring them out of Egypt.
• Hosea 11:8: "How can I give you up, Ephraim? How can I hand you over, Israel?...My heart rets in me; my compassion is stirred".
• Zechariah 10:6: God promises to strengthen Judah and have mercy on them, bringing them back.

Does it matter how he was seen? The issue is whether an unchanging god is compassionate and loving or a petty ass. It was once acceptable to buy and sell slaves like cattle. We now know that was wrong, and nothing can be said or done to make those actions acceptable. A changeable god might realize he had been wrong and make adjustments to his behavior. An unchanging god remains the same. All his actions must be judged the same. If it would be wrong to do those things today, it was wrong for him to do them then, regardless of what .people might have once thought about it.