Questions?

If you're reading this blog and you have a question concerning the Bible or Christianity (or a criticism!) please leave it in the comments section.

Truth can withstand scrutiny, so all comments are welcome.

Happy Thanksgiving!

10 David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly, saying,
"Praise be to you, O LORD,
God of our father Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.

11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power
and the glory and the majesty and the splendor,
for everything in heaven and earth is yours.
Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom;
you are exalted as head over all.

12 Wealth and honor come from you;
you are the ruler of all things.
In your hands are strength and power
to exalt and give strength to all.

13 Now, our God, we give you thanks,
and praise your glorious name.

14 "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 15 We are aliens and strangers in your sight, as were all our forefathers. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. 16 O LORD our God, as for all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name, it comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. ~ 1 Chronicles 29:10-16

Today's Memory Verse

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:13

The Call for Believers

Thanks be to God, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, 'WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.' For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek [Gentile or non-Jew]; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for 'WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.'" ~Romans 10:9-13

Who is it that can be saved? The Scripture tells us that whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved. And what is it that results in righteousness? Believing in your heart that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead. And what results in salvation? Confessing this amazing truth with your mouth. The Word declares that the same Lord is Lord of all, and whoever will call on Him shall not be disappointed. Hallelujah!

But for those of us who have believed ... how is it that we have come to know the Truth? Was it by some special revelation? Perhaps for some ... but by far the majority of us came to faith because someone cared enough to tell us! Scripture continues:

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, 'HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!'" ~Romans 10:14-15

Jesus has commissioned His followers to go out and tell the world about Him (see Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; and Acts 1:8; if this was just for the Apostles, they failed to bring the gospel to the ends of the earth ... clearly we must continue this mission today), so you have been sent. Will you obey this commission and go and preach? If you will preach, they will hear. If they will hear, then they can believe. If they will believe, then they will call on Him. And if they will call on Him, then they will be saved (cf. Romans 10:13).

Lord, I pray that my feet would be called beautiful by You, as I try to be faithful in bringing Your good news of good things to those who are yet far from you. Father, glorify Your Name!

An Admonition from the Word of God

Now I urge you, bretheren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hinderances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. ~Romans 16:17-20

Poll Results -- Who is Jesus of Nazarath?

The results are in: 4 votes for Myth, 3 votes for God incarnate, no votes for Prophet or Wise Man.

"Most scholars in the fields of biblical studies and history agree that Jesus was a Jewish teacher from Galilee who was regarded as a healer, was baptized by John the Baptist, was accused of sedition against the Roman Empire, and on the orders of Roman Governor Pontius Pilate was sentenced to death by crucifixion.[1] On the other hand, mythologists[2], and a minority[3][4] of biblical and historical scholars argue that Jesus never existed as an historical figure, but was a purely symbolic or mythical figure synthesized from various non-Abrahamic deities and heroes. ... The existence of Jesus as an actual historical figure has been questioned by a few scholars and historians, some of the earliest being Constantin-François Volney and Charles François Dupuis in the 18th century and Bruno Bauer in the 19th century. Each of these proposed that the Jesus character was a fusion of earlier mythologies.[87][88][89][90]
The views of scholars who entirely rejected Jesus' historicity were summarized in Will Durant's Caesar and Christ, published in 1944. Their rejections were based on a suggested lack of eyewitnesses, a lack of direct archaeological evidence, the failure of ancient works to mention Jesus, and similarities early Christianity shares with then-contemporary religion and mythology.[91]
More recently, arguments for non-historicity have been discussed by George Albert Wells, by Earl Doherty (The Jesus Puzzle, 1999), and by biblical scholar Robert M. Price. Doherty, for example, maintains that the earliest records of Christian beliefs (the earliest epistles) are best explained if Christianity began as a mythic saviour cult, with no specific historical figure in mind.
Nevertheless, historicity is still regarded as effectively proven by almost all Biblical scholars.[92][93][94][95]" (Taken from the wikipedia.org article on The Historical Jesus, emphasis added).

It's amazing to me the faith that is expressed by those who claim Jesus never existed. In most of my discussions with non-Christians, specifically Atheists, they critique Christians for "having faith" when there is no evidence to support their beliefs. Yet, the Bible teaches that the historicity of Jesus is the crux of our faith ... and it is precisely this point where Christians have the most evidence.

13If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. [1 Corinthians 15:13-18]

If Jesus never lived, He could not have been crucified and raised from the dead. If this never happened, Christians have no hope, their faith is false, and they are "to be pitied more than all men." Since our faith lies squarely on the historicity of this Jesus, and since most Atheists (at least in my experience) seem to desire evidence for their beliefs, why is it that on this issue--the historicity of Jesus--that the atheist takes their stance in opposition to the evidence? Could it be that the Atheist does not believe, not for lack of evidence, but for other reasons?

The same author of 1 Corinthians wrote this in Romans: 18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.
24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. [Romans 1:18-25]

The Bible declares that those who refuse to believe do so, not for lack of evidence, but due to their own unrighteousness. The non-Christian suppresses evidence they don't like and elevates evidence they do like to justify their own lifestyle and desires.

Since we as Christians are able to know that our faith is reasonable and is based, not on wishful thinking, but God's revelation through historical events, Paul admonishes us: Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. [1 Corinthians 15:58]

[1]^ Raymond E. Brown, The Death of the Messiah: From Gethsemane to the Grave (New York: Doubleday, Anchor Bible Reference Library 1994), p. 964; D. A. Carson, et al., p. 50-56; Shaye J.D. Cohen, From the Maccabees to the Mishnah, Westminster Press, 1987, p. 78, 93, 105, 108; John Dominic Crossan, The Historical Jesus: The Life of a Mediterranean Jewish Peasant, HarperCollins, 1991, p. xi-xiii; Michael Grant, p. 34-35, 78, 166, 200; Paula Fredriksen, Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, Alfred A. Knopf, 1999, p. 6-7, 105-110, 232-234, 266; John P. Meier, vol. 1:68, 146, 199, 278, 386, 2:726; E.P. Sanders, pp. 12-13; Geza Vermes, Jesus the Jew (Philadelphia: Fortress Press 1973), p. 37.; Paul L. Maier, In the Fullness of Time, Kregel, 1991, pp. 1, 99, 121, 171; N. T. Wright, The Meaning of Jesus: Two Visions, HarperCollins, 1998, pp. 32, 83, 100-102, 222; Ben Witherington III, pp. 12-20.
[2]^ Eliade, Mircea "Images and Symbols: Studies in Religious Symbolism" (trans. Philip Mairet), Princeton University Press, Princeton, 1991, p.170
[3]^ "The nonhistoricity thesis has always been controversial, and it has consistently failed to convince scholars of many disciplines and religious creeds. ... Biblical scholars and classical historians now regard it as effectively refuted." - Robert E. Van Voorst, Jesus Outside the New Testament: An Introduction to the Ancient Evidence (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2000), p. 16.
[4]^ "There are those who argue that Jesus is a figment of the Church’s imagination, that there never was a Jesus at all. I have to say that I do not know any respectable critical scholar who says that any more.” Burridge, R & Gould, G, Jesus Now and Then, Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2004, p.34
[87]^ Van Voorst, p. 8
[88]^ Constantin-François Volney, Les ruines, ou Méditations sur les révolutions des empires (Paris: Desenne, 1791); English translation, The Ruins, or a Survey of the Revolutions of Empires (New York: Davis, 1796).
[89]^ C. F. Dupuis, Origine de tous les cultes (Paris: Chasseriau, 1794); English translation, The Origin of All Religious Worship (New York: Garland, 1984).
[90]^ Durant, Will. Caesar and Christ. New York: Simon and Schuster. 1972
[91]^ Durant 1944:553-7
[92]^ Bruce, FF (1982). New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? InterVarsity Press, ISBN 087784691X
[93]^ Herzog II, WR (2005). Prophet and Teacher. WJK, ISBN 0664225284
[94]^ Komoszewski, JE; Sawyer, MJ & Wallace, DB (2006). Reinventing Jesus. Kregel Publications, 195f. ISBN 978-0825429828.
[95]^ Walter P. Weaver, The Historical Jesus in the Twentieth Century, 1900-1950, (Continuum International, 1999), page 71.

Excerpt from a dialogue on Divine Omniscience and Free Will

(*The following is an excerpt from a dialogue elsewhere. What follows is new commentary on the discussion. You can read the entire conversation--as well as others--here: https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5823596693953871104&postID=8531871805160706937)

I said: Just because you can't reconcile them doesn't mean they can't be reconciled. The Bible is full of conditional statements ... we have freedom within certain parameters. For example, repent or perish. God is not surprised by either outcome and there is no third option. You either repent, or you perish. A or B. If A, God knows and His knowledge is True. If B, then God knows and His knowledge is True. Modal logic vindicates God since His knowledge is always True and He can never be surprised.

BeamStalk - Rocky S. replied: Really this is your argument? You are saying God knows every possible outcome, right? So he still doesn't know which path you are going to take, so he is not omniscient. You are just saying he knows where every path leads. Well then we have freewill and God is not omniscient. Now if he knows the exact path we are going to take before we take it, then he is creating people to burn in hell. There he is omniscient, but freewill does not exist because you are already predestined to your path.

Well, BeamStalk, I suppose that all depends on your definition of what it means to "know" something. If we define "knowledge" as "a justified true belief" (the common epistemological definition) then your objection fails. Let's see why.

First, "justified true belief" means that for any individual, they must believe some proposition or thing [i.e. have a belief], they must have reason for believing this proposition or thing [i.e. are "justified" in believing this is so], and finally this justified belief must be true [i.e. you cannot "know" something that is false].

So, does God "know" all things on the model I have presented or is His knowledge incomplete as BeamStalk suggests? I didn't argue that God simply knows every outcome (as BeamStalk suggests), but that He knows the entire range of choices possible at any given moment (which is actually restricted to only two options, despite the logical possibilty of any other number of possibilities based on human nature and the Sovereign will of God to design the world with these parameters). The core of the objection lies in this statement: So he still doesn't know which path you are going to take, so he is not omniscient. But is this really the case or has BeamStalk merely misunderstood the argument?

On the model I suggested, at any given moment (t) there are precisely two options for any human agent (S) ... either to do God's will (A) or to do their own will (B). [This argument at present is ignoring the possibility that this model only applies to individuals who are saved, since non-believers are slaves to sin they only have option B without the grace of God.] So, at any given time t the scenario can be expressed by a disjunction: A or B. Of course, God knows the outcome of each alternative so a more complex disjunction could be expressed that includes conditionals: (A > a) v (B > b). For the present argument, the outcomes are agreed to be known so I will focus only on the simple disjunction which is the point of contention.

So, we have the scenario (A v B). BeamStalk says that if Man is truly free, then God does not know which option will be chosen at any particular t, so therefore God does not "know" something and is something less than omniscient. But this is a false analysis of the scenario. On this model, can we say that God believes the individual will choose (A v B)? Yes we can. Can we say that God is justified in this belief? Yes we can (since He determined the parameters). Can we say that this justified belief is true? If either A or B is chosen, then the disjunct has a True value. On this model, God's knowledge is complete (since He knows both the actual outcome and the possible outcome of every choice made at all times t), and God's knowledge is True. Not only does God know all things, He even knows all possible things.

The objection that God still doesn't know what someone will choose is an appeal to credulity, since based on the best definitions we have of knowledge, logic, and truth, Divine Omniscience and Human freedom of the will can be shown to be compatible. It may not seem like God "knows," but on this model clearly He does.

The final part of BeamStalk's objection takes for granted that if God knows then He must determine. In a certain sense, God has predetermined the path for everyone ... either they will go to hell if they obey their own will or they will go to heaven if they obey His will (which is for them to repent and believe in the One He has sent, Jesus Christ). However, just because there is a dualism in the determination (i.e. heaven or hell, there is no third alternative) the freedom to choose our own destiny lies in our own hands. God has provided the grace necessary to turn to Him and the righteousness needed to save us from death (eternally). However, He has also given us great freedom in deciding our own destiny (see Deuteronomy 30:11-19, 2 Peter 3:9).

In my estimation the greatest act of God's power ever witnessed was not creating the heavens and the earth or becoming a man or even raising Jesus (and others) from the dead ... the greatest act of God's power in my opinion was exercised when He restrained Himself from forcing us to worship and obey Him. It was completely within His power to compel our obedience, yet He does not. I'm not sure that if I were Him I would allow humans the freedom that He has since most of them abuse it and curse His name in the process. I for one am thankful that God hasn't compelled our obedience, however, for now eternity spent with God can be an eternity of fellowship and not forced slavery. Hallelujah.

Today's Memory Verse

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek [Gentile]. ~ Romans 1:16

Final Judgment

Then I saw a great white throne and the one who sat on it; the earth and the heaven fled from his presence, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Also another book was opened, the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works, as recorded in the books. And the sea gave up the dead that were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and all were judged according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire; and anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire. ~Revelation 20:11-15

This passage is a particularly vivid description of the events on the coming Judgment Day. For many, this is a terrifying scene ... and rightfully so. Being cast into the lake of fire is surely not going to be pleasant. Look carefully at the description of the Judgment and the contrast that is outlined.

First, it says "books" (plural) were opened. Next a "book" (singular) is opened. We find the content of these books as the passage moves on. And the dead were judged according to their works, as recorded in the books...the "books" contain the deeds of the individuals and are the basis of their judgment. ...and anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire... the "book" is here further described as the "book of life" and it is made clear that this "book" contains names. The dead are judged based on their deeds, and if their name is not in the book of life, they are then cast into the lake of fire.

It's interesting that the text declares that everyone being judged is cast into hell, except for the individuals whose name is written in this "book of life." It's not on the basis of deeds that they are spared, but on the contrary, it's on the basis of deeds that they are damned. Whoever has their name written in the "book of life" is spared in spite of their damnable deeds.

Many attempt to paint the God of the Bible as some sort of monster ... but if He didn't have a "book of life" then all would be cast into the lake of fire on Judgment Day. It is only by God's grace that any are saved from this fate. But why only some? Well, Scripture declares God's desire.

The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. ~ 2 Peter 3:9

God doesn't want you to perish, that's why He made a way for forgiveness and why He has warned you in advance.

"I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." ~ Luke 13:3, 5

He has commanded you to repent.

Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent ~ Acts 17:30

The results of unrepentance are clear.

He who believes in Him [Jesus] is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God...He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. ~ John 3:18, 36

The Day of Judgment is rightfully a terrifying thing for any who have not repented and trusted Jesus for their salvation. The good news is:

...if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." ~ Romans 10:9-13

If you've never done this, it's not too late. If you refuse, understand that your sentence is already defined and the result will be your desire...not God's.

Challenge to Omnipotence

The problem: "In fact omnipotence is general makes no sense, because omnipotent beings are powerless to create an insurmountable task." ~ Vagon

The problem as stated makes sense and is a valid concern. However, the Bible declares that all things are possible with God and that all power belongs to Him. These statements (among others) make up the basis for claiming that the God of the Bible is Omnipotent.

However, we must not forget that the Bible also declares that YHWH does not change. Therefore, the philosophical definition of omnipotence (created in the minds of fallible men) does not apply to the Creator of the universe. YHWH is able to do all things that are possible, but there are clearly things that YHWH cannot do.

YHWH cannot change (see Malachi 3:6).
YHWH cannot lie (1 Samuel 15:29).
YHWH cannot cease to exist (Exodus 3:14).

So, the answer to the question, "Can YHWH create a stone so large that He cannot lift it?" is simply, No. YHWH cannot cause Himself to be less than He is, and He is able to do all things. God also cannot make Himself lie or cease to exist ... because doing so would make Him (~God) [not God] and this is impossible. God is a necessary being, all other things are contingent upon Him.

When theists speak of God being Omnipotent, they mean that God is able to do all things within the realm of possibility (this is not limited to human possibility). This definition of Omnipotence is consistent with the revelation of Holy Scripture. To define Omnipotence in a way that is outside of Scripture and then to apply that definition to the Christian worldview is to make a category mistake.

To put it another way, if it can be done, God can do it. He has the power to do all things that are possible while He is still bound by His own nature. The only limits upon God are the limits He has placed upon Himself. He doesn't lie because that is against His nature. He can't cease to exist because He is Existence. He can't fail to be good because He is Good. He can't make Himself ~omnipotent because He is omnipotent.

Omniscience and Omnipotence

The question has been posed: How can God be both Omniscient (All-Knowing) and Omnipotent (All-Powerful)? If God knows all things then He has no power to change them, and if He is able to change things, then He is not omniscient. I believe that allowing for human freedom of will solves this problem. Below I will attempt to illustrate (as briefly as possible) a proposed solution for maintaining freedom of the will without compromising Divine Omniscience and/or Sovereignty [Omnipotence].

First, I must declare that I do believe that God knows the future completely and infallibly, that He is Sovereign over all creation (which means that nothing occurs outside of His will), and that salvation is the work of God alone.[1] Turning to Christ (repentance) is not a salvific action—it is merely recognition of the rightful place of God. But (Hallelujah!) God rewards those who repent and believe with eternal life by adopting them as sons. I do not believe as Arminians or Open Theists do, that the future is open or unknowable. My understanding of these positions (which could be flawed), is that since the future is ‘open’ (insomuch as it is not pre-determined, but unfolding as time progresses) then future events cannot be “known” because there is no way to represent the future proposition p with a truth-value (True or False) since it has not happened yet. If there is no truth-value able to be assigned to the proposition (or future events) then it cannot be known. This view relegates God to a “good guesser” at best (namely, that so far He has accurately guessed the things that would transpire, but we have no guarantee that He will continue to do so infallibly), or outright claims that God simply doesn’t know the future. Both outcomes seem to contradict the God of the Bible[2] and should therefore be rejected. So, how then can we allow freedom while still allowing God to know the future?

I propose a system of freedom of the will that is based on God’s will. In this way, it is not that God decrees some things and the rest is up to us … instead, God has decreed that man have freedom of the will. However, this freedom is not without bounds; bounds decided by the will of God. Our freedom does not free us from the sovereignty of God, but is a freedom based within the sovereignty of God. This freedom is limited specifically to the choice to seek God or to not. This yields a range of precisely two possibilities for any given moment, as it relates to each and every individual.[3] This type of creation would allow for propositional knowledge of the future, represented by: “Either A or B.” In this way, there is one option available if the individual denies God (believer or unbeliever) based on the character of the agent and the present circumstances therein, and one option available if the agent seeks God. Of course, there are many logical possibilities at any given time, but these are merely hypothetical and not-actually possible scenarios.

What I mean by the last statement is this: at any given moment it is logically possible that I empty out my bank account, throw all my money into a sewer, then set myself on fire while singing the national anthem. This is a crude analogy, but it makes the point: I have means of transportation suitable to get to the bank, access to the accounts, knowledge of where a sewer is close to a gas station, suitable for obtaining the materials needed to set myself on fire, and a knowledge of the lyrics to the national anthem. This outlandish scenario is logically possible in the sense that it could happen. However, it never would. Although such an absurd scenario may seem obvious that it is not a real possibility at any given moment, there are other scenarios that could be envisioned that are seemingly much closer to being actually possible while still remaining as impossible as the first![4] My contention is that there is no third alternative at any given moment, no matter how sensible or logical it may seem: for any agent they may only choose to do a self-serving act, or a God-serving act. There can be no other alternative. God’s will is un-changing so what He wills for each agent at any given moment is not open for discussion or liable to change. God’s will is God’s will. Similarly, I may like to eat, sleep, watch sports, play cards, and engage in many other activities that are contrary to God’s will for my life at any given moment, but the situation at any given moment will yield one particular action for myself if I choose to indulge me rather than to serve God.[5]

On this model there is, at any given moment for any person, a choice between A or B. Since God has set up the framework, He knows completely and infallibly what both A and B are. While I do deny that God knows what the agent will choose at any given moment, this is not a challenge to His Omniscience. First, God cannot be surprised if I choose A instead of B, or if I choose B instead of A. Both are possible, so God will never be in a situation where He says, “Whoa, didn’t see that coming.” The only way for God to be surprised would be for some third option C, which on this model is impossible. Secondly, even if God does not know if I will choose A or B, there can still be a truth-value assigned to this proposition.

A or B.
A.
_____
True.

OR

A or B.
B.
_____
True.

Further, since God knows the possible course of action of His (deterministically) free creatures, and since His will does not change for His ultimate goals and purposes, He knows His response no matter the choice made. If A then 1; if B then 2. Two biblical examples of this framework in action will be considered.

In the Garden of Eden, God “leaves” to test Adam and Eve. Following the reasoning above God allowed two possibilities while He is “gone.”[6] Scenario A) Adam and Eve tell the Serpent to buzz off because they trust God. Scenario B) Adam and Eve believe the Serpent and disobey God. If A) then everyone lives happily ever after. If B) then God sends His Son to save all who will believe. Unfortunately, scenario B happened, but the good news is that God had a provision and a plan for either case. God’s will and plan never changed; He provides His creatures with the opportunity to make decisions (thus, illustrating their culpability for sinfulness) while never ceasing to have ultimate control.[7]

The second example is from the life of Jonah, a believer. We are told God’s will from the beginning that Jonah is to go to Nineveh and prophesy. Jonah could A) obey and go to Nineveh, or B) not obey (and still go to Nineveh). Since God willed for the Ninevites to hear a prophetic word, and deemed Jonah the man to deliver that message, He was not going to be thwarted. Reading the book of Jonah we see this prophets choice was to disobey God, resulting in a much rockier path to Nineveh than if he had obeyed in the first place. The end result is the same, the Ninevites hear the word from Jonah—only the path traveled to reach that end is different. Simply because God allows His creatures freedom to choose A or B, does not mean that His ultimate ends will not be accomplished. God will bring about His will, no one can thwart His plans. We may make the road harder on ourselves as believers (e.g. Jonah) or unknowingly participate in God’s plan (e.g. Judas), but God remains sovereign even though He allows us the freedom to choose. On this model, God’s claim to know the beginning from the end is in no way challenged. The middle is the only ground that is open; however, the openness of this middle ground is not like the openness of Open Theism or Arminianism. God still knows infallibly and truly everything that we will do, while also knowing the other possibilities. His knowledge is still complete, infallible, and true while also affirming the freedom of man’s will. If man remains free, and God remains sovereign, all the philosophical objections to the end of God being responsible for evil, or subsequent attacks on God’s omniscience and omnipotence (if free will is upheld too strongly) fall by the wayside.

[1] To clarify, I do not believe that I (or anyone else) have done anything worthy of salvation. When I die and awake in Heaven I am completely confident that it will be completely due to the effort of Jesus and the effect of grace in my life. However, the difference between a believer and a non-believer is not that God has chosen one and left the other, but that the believer has sought God while the unbeliever has refused. The call is the same, but the glory gained by God is far greater when the believer seeks Him freely than if they seek Him “freely” (that is, they were eternally decreed that they would seek Him but based on creating the definition Calvinists claim it is “free”). Since salvation is based on Christ, not the individual, it should also be stated that I do not believe salvation can be lost (as is typically held by Arminians). I say all this, because as far as I can tell, I am equally not a Calvinist or an Arminian, and at this time I do not desire to be lumped in with either!
[2] Cf. Isaiah 44:7.
[3] This, I think, is similar to your position of free will as it relates to the believer: namely, as a believer I have the choice to obey God or to not. The difference is I do not believe this freedom exists only for believers. Surely, a non-Spirit guided individual is not able to please God, but on your view there exists two classes of people: 1) un-regenerate people who are incapable of being saved and incapable of pleasing God (who seemingly exist only to irritate both believers and God Himself); and 2) regenerate people who are destined for Heaven, but who are equally capable of irritating God and un-regenerate people. Both groups irritate God with their disobedience, but differ only in their final destination. Perhaps I am missing a component of your view, and I hope that I have not butchered it. However, as presented this was my understanding (which is by no means infallible).
[4] There is more to be said about the ‘deterministic’ quality of man’s internal character, but I will leave this discussion out in the interest of space.
[5] Praise the Lord that my self-seeking now is not nearly as sinful as my self-seeking prior to conversion, however this is only externally. Since anything that is not from faith is sin, when I reject God now and that means I watch football instead of reading my Bible, that act is not actually less sinful than getting drunk since both are a denial of God’s will (albeit one is the denial of a more godly version of me than prior to conversion).
[6] It should be noted that God is not actually gone, since He is omnipresent, but only appears to leave to achieve the intended purpose.
[7] Another crude example may help clarify the issue: when I place my son, Leo, in his playpen he is limited in space and ability. I can then introduce into the playpen whatever toys I think he should be allowed to play with. My sovereignty over the situation is clear; Leo is unable to remove himself from the playpen or to add or remove toys. However, Leo is able to choose what he will do while in the playpen. My sovereignty sets the bounds; his freedom provides the course of his time inside. At no point does His freedom encroach on my sovereignty of the situation, nor would his choosing of any of the toys surprise me that I placed inside. Surprise would only arise if after a few moments I saw him playing with a toy that I had not introduced (that had somehow made it into the pen without my introducing it) or if he removed himself from there without my aid. Both ‘surprising’ scenarios are impossible, even if logically possible.

Ponder This...

I've heard it said: "The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world that he didn't exist."

I don't think that's true.

I think the greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing Man that he (Man) is inherently good.

Today's Memory Verse

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:21

Obedience

Jesus said to His disciples, " Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down to eat'? But will he not say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink'? He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, 'We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.' "~ Luke 17:7-10.

It's a very popular idea that if our "good" deeds outweigh our "bad" deeds then we must be heaven bound. However, this idea is certainly not biblical and actually takes a very low view of God and sin. The Bible describes sin in many ways ... not just as breaking the Law or performing acts of unrighteousness. James 4:17 says, "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." Failure to do the right thing is just as sinful to God as doing the wrong thing.

So where do we get the idea that we will somehow be rewarded for our lack of committing the "big sins" [i.e. murder, rape, etc.]? This is a deception straight from the evil one. We don't live our everyday lives as if this were true ... after all, no one expects to receive a reward when they go the bank and don't rob it. Or who expects reward when they don't murder, rape, or steal? Such an idea is foolishness because we know we aren't supposed to do these things. In fact, we realize very clearly that not only do we not get rewarded for not performing these deeds, but we also expect punishment for those who do perform them (ourselves or anyone else)!

In the same way, Jesus made clear to His disciples that we will not be rewarded for obedience to God's commands since those are the things that we ought to do anyway. The Ten Commandments, written by the very finger of God Himself (see Exodus 31:18, 34:1), are not suggestions. They are commands. We understand that disobedience to civil law carries certain penalties yet we fail to discern that failure to obey God's Law does so as well. The major difference between God's authority and civil authority is that no infraction, big or small, escapes His notice. In fact, to God, failure to keep just one part of the Law is serious business (see James 2:10).

For the wages of sin is death... ~Romans 6:23a

Notice that "sin" is singular. Only one sin is needed for the death sentence. This is bad news for all of us. Fortunately, the verse continues ... but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (6:23b). Praise God that He has offered salvation as a free gift to us who do not deserve it. We are able to be saved from the wrath that is to come purely by the grace of God. Have you received it, or will you bear the punishment for your own sins on the Day of Judgment? Confess your sins to the Lord, repent, and place your trust in Jesus alone for your salvation ... He is the Risen Lord who will return in glory to judge the living and the dead.

Today's Memory Verse

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. ~ James 2:10

Therefore, having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead. ~Acts 17:30-31

The war on Truth rages at this very moment. Moral relativism and Universalism are deadly lies spreading through our culture like a disease, poisoning the minds and hearts of men and women wherever it spreads. The word of God tells us that God is now declaring that all men and all people everywhere should repent because He has fixed a Day of Judgment that is coming. But if morals and truth are relative, and if all paths truly lead to God, then what need is there of repentance? If all paths are equally valid and my truth is not your truth, then where is there room for absolutes? What precisely is this "righteousness" which God will judge us in and who is the Man appointed to judge us? Can there be a judge if I make my own rules?

The Truth is that moral relativism and universalism cannot be true at the same time and in the same sense as the declaration of the Word of God. At least one (perhaps both) is wrong or a contradiction is true and this cannot be so. While one may make us feel better, our feelings are not a reliable arbiter of Truth. Sometimes, the truth is the thing that we would least like it to be (just ask someone whose spouse just cheated on them, or who lost a child to some terrible accident or disease).

So how can we decide what to believe? Is God really coming in righteousness to judge us or is whatever feels right to us the truth for us? Is there only one way to heaven or do all paths ultimately lead to "God"? Are we ultimately sinners who are worthy of eternal conscious torment in hell or are we all basically "good" and ultimately headed for heaven?

Scripture tells us that God has furnished proof to all men by raising Him [Jesus the Christ] from the dead. Fortunately, we do not need to grope about in the dark or merely hope that we guess correctly. Instead, God has furnished proof for us by raising Christ Jesus from the dead to validate His claims of deity. The resurrection was a historical event that has had a greater impact on our world than any other event. The resurrection and ensuing events are documented in history by both biblical and secular witnesses. God wanted us to know that our faith in Him and His word was well founded so He provided proof by doing the impossible: raising this Jesus on the third day after His crucifixion.

And what was the response to the apostle Paul when He proclaimed this truth? Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, "We shall hear you again concerning this" (Acts 17:32). Even when faced with such convincing evidence, some still merely sneer and refuse to repent and turn that they may be healed. While the news may seem grim that God is coming in righteousness to judge us, the good news is that what Christ was doing on the cross in the first place was paying the fine that we owe for breaking God's law so that His sinlessness (righteousness) could be credited to us through faith.

God has shown universalism false and proven there is only one way to Him.

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved. ~Acts 4:12

We are drowning in our own unrighteousness and God has thrown us a life preserver in Christ Jesus. Instead of flailing about and asking why He has only thrown one life preserver, we would be wise to reach out and take hold of the one He has sent to us.

Temptation

When we succumb to temptation, we feed the fire that burns in our flesh. When this fire burns we quench the Holy Spirit who dwells within us.

We can't overcome temptation on our own ... but the good news is that we are not alone! The best way to overcome is to stand on the truth of God's word and to appropriate His promises by faith.

I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. ~ Philippians 4:13

Overcome temptation? Yes, I can do all things through Him.

Overcome fear? Yes, I can do all things through Him.

Be freed from the bondage of sin? Yes, I can do all things through Him.

There is nothing we cannot do if we have Christ ... For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. ~ 1 John 5:3-4

Be encouraged in God's word and know that God has said you can overcome!

Moses and YHWH

After a particularly sinful period in Israel's history (the worship of the golden calf, Exodus 32) Moses pleads for his people saying, "Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves. But now, if you will, forgive their sins--and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!" (Exodus 32:31-32).

I'm amazed by Moses' heart for his people and it's my prayer that God would create in me a heart for those who are perishing ... so much so that I would be willing to forfeit my own salvation for them! We live in a culture right now that abounds with golden calves, yet many of us are not only not willing to lose our own salvation if they are not saved, but we are also not even willing to go forth and proclaim to them the truth. But what was the problem? Were the Israelites not enjoying their worship of the golden calf? Scripture says that when Moses came to the camp from the presence of YHWH, he found the Israelites singing and dancing (Exodus 32:18-19). Instead of rejoicing that these people whom Moses obviously cares so deeply about were enjoying themselves, "...Moses' anger burned, and he threw the tablets from his hands and shattered them at the foot of the mountain. He took the calf which they had made and burned it with fire, and ground it to powder, and scattered it over the surface of the water and made the sons of Israel drink it" (Exodus 32:19b-20).

That doesn't seem like what we would consider today to be a loving response! What would motivate such action from Moses? Does he not really care about his people or is there something else that motivates him other than the happiness of his people? We get a glimpse of Moses' heart in the following chapter:

Then he [Moses] said to Him [YHWH], "If Your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here. For how then can it be known that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Is it not by Your going with us, so that we, I and Your people, may be distinguished from all the other people who are upon the face of the earth?" (Exodus 33:15-16).

Moses makes very clear that the only thing that separates the Israelites from all other people groups on the planet is their relationship with the Living God, YHWH. Without His presence, they are nobodies, and Moses knows that God does not tolerate sin (even when it makes us happy!) and will remove His presence from His people if they are worshiping false gods. Moses seeks the presence of YHWH among His people above their happiness. However, Moses doesn't just seek YHWH's presence ... for after the Lord agrees to accompany the Israelites on their journey Moses again speaks.

Then Moses said, "I pray You, show me your glory!" (Exodus 33:18).

Moses doesn't just want God to bless him and his people, but Moses wants to see the glory of God! I have to ask myself ... do I want to see God's glory, or do I simply want Him to work blessing in my life? Do I strive to see God's face or do I simply strive to see the move of His hand? Is my God the God of Glory, or is He just my genie in a lamp who is there to hear my every request? Lord, I pray that Your glory would be first and foremost on my mind and heart and that everything I do will be done with the goal of bringing You glory!

What follows is an amazing self-disclosure made by YHWH:

And He [YHWH] said, "I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion" (Exodus 33:19)

The fulfillment of YHWH's self proclamation of the name of the Lord comes just a few verses later in Exodus 34:6-7:

Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "the LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations."

Moses' reaction to this amazing scene is appropriate: Moses made haste to bow low toward the earth and worship (Exodus 34:8). What other response could there be? It is only by God's grace that we are allowed another breath since we have all sinned against YHWH already ... but in His abundance of lovingkindness He has patience with us. However, the Day of Judgment is coming and YHWH has declared Himself that He will by no means let the guilty go free.

Christians, we must seek God's glory and do the things He has commanded! If we do not have a heart for those who are perishing, we must ask the LORD to provide it, because He has a heart for them. Arguably the greatest missionary of all time (aside from the Lord Jesus Himself), the apostle Paul, said:

For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; for "Whoever will call on the name of the LORD will be saved."

How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!" (Romans 10:12-15).

We have been commissioned by the Risen Lord to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation" (Mark 16:15). Let us do so so that by our obedience we may see God's glory as He expands His kingdom by His grace. Soli Deo Gloria!

JRK