Here is our painting of what Christian Spirituality looks like. This is a place for discussion. This is a place for questions. We can talk about them, wrestle with them, and come to some sort of conclusion for ourselves. We can all add our own brush strokes to the painting. We'll "keep exploring, keep arranging, keep shaping and forming and bringing in new perspectives."
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Sovereignty of God
Is God sovereign? Is His supremacy so great that He knows every day and every moment of my life? (Psalm 139:16) Does he know the hairs on my head? (Matthew 10:30) Does he determine my steps? (Proverbs 16:9)
Good to see a posting here. Is there also a google for this. If os, which site should we be posting?
The issue you've raised is a good one. The scriptures you used all seem to support the view that God does predetermine everything that happens. Is that what you believe? Do you think there are other scriptures with another viewpoint?
I think this is a very hard thing to come to a particular conclusion on.
I know that God is sovereign. If He isn't and we are in charge -- why do we pray for him to change our hearts (Psalm 51:10)?
However, I know that we have choices. That if I wanted to give my life to Him I could and if I didn't I could choose not to. But is that choice predetermined by Him?
I know that God wants all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), but I know that some will perish (2 Thessalonians 2:10).
If you read on in that passage it says that "God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe what is false..." That seems contrary to the God in 1 Timothy.
In Romans Paul quotes the Torah where God says, "I will show mercy to whom I show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." (9:15) Paul goes on to say, "He shows mercy to whom He wills, and He hardens whom He wills." (9:18)
So, I have a hard time with all of these things which seem to conflict. It seems like a God who "wants all to be saved" conflictswith one who sends people delusions and "delivers them over to degrading passions." (Romans 1:26) However, the difference between the two is what happens to man, in both God is shown as sovereign. Either He saves, or He condemns. Either way He is the one who gets the glory. Whether it be the glory of a Merciful Father, or the glory of a Just Judge.
Is it possible that God has two wills? One that all people be saved and a greater one that He be glorified in all things?
2 comments:
Good to see a posting here. Is there also a google for this. If os, which site should we be posting?
The issue you've raised is a good one. The scriptures you used all seem to support the view that God does predetermine everything that happens. Is that what you believe? Do you think there are other scriptures with another viewpoint?
Dave Penney
I think this is a very hard thing to come to a particular conclusion on.
I know that God is sovereign. If He isn't and we are in charge -- why do we pray for him to change our hearts (Psalm 51:10)?
However, I know that we have choices. That if I wanted to give my life to Him I could and if I didn't I could choose not to. But is that choice predetermined by Him?
I know that God wants all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4), but I know that some will perish (2 Thessalonians 2:10).
If you read on in that passage it says that "God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe what is false..." That seems contrary to the God in 1 Timothy.
In Romans Paul quotes the Torah where God says, "I will show mercy to whom I show mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." (9:15) Paul goes on to say, "He shows mercy to whom He wills, and He hardens whom He wills." (9:18)
So, I have a hard time with all of these things which seem to conflict. It seems like a God who "wants all to be saved" conflictswith one who sends people delusions and "delivers them over to degrading passions." (Romans 1:26) However, the difference between the two is what happens to man, in both God is shown as sovereign. Either He saves, or He condemns. Either way He is the one who gets the glory. Whether it be the glory of a Merciful Father, or the glory of a Just Judge.
Is it possible that God has two wills? One that all people be saved and a greater one that He be glorified in all things?
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