Total Depravity

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Mar 23, 2016
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when we do not search the scriptures looking for Him in them, we miss the point.
John 5:

39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.


2 Corinthians 3:

12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech:

13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:

14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.

15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart.

16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away.


17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
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Jul 31, 2013
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I am not sure this can be applied here. I would rather take Scripture at face value without trying to "explain" God. Some things remain paradoxical. Yes, God absolutely knows everything, and yes there are times when the Bible says that he changed his mind. The word "repented" is used as a change of mind.
It means to turn away from.

The scripture literally says the spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Christ, and literally calls Moses a prophet, and Christ literally says the Torah is written about Himself.

God literally turned away from His righteous wrath because of Christ, out mediator between God and man.

This does not make God beholden to time - He was slain from the foundation of the world.
 

PaulThomson

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2023
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God did forgive sin, because THE MEDIATOR exists
God did change His mind so that He did not do what He had thought to do, just as God changed His mind about vessels of wrath and began to consider them instead as vessels of mercy when they believed in His Son..
 
Jul 18, 2017
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God literally turned away from His righteous wrath because of Christ, out mediator between God and man.
I don't believe this is supported by the actual Scriptures.

1. Let's look at the record in Exodus 32 regarding the Golden Calf. God was going to destroy all of Israel, but He "repented" of this decision: And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. (v 14).

2. At the same time Moses ordered all the Israelites who were naked to be killed: And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men. (v 28) So 3,000 idolaters were slaughtered that day.

3. But God did not spare the idolaters either. And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made. (v 35)

So your theory falls flat right here. Rather than wiping out Israel, God plagued Israel. There is no application of the finished work of the cross in this situation. Just righteous wrath and anger.

When it comes to Nineveh after the preaching of Jonah, God saw genuine repentance and changed His mind. Had He already foreseen and foreknown this? Of course, But the narrative is also true. And we need not go any further. Paul thinks he know the mind of God better than God, which is pure delusion. But some people love their delusions.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
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God did change His mind so that He did not do what He had thought to do, just as God changed His mind about vessels of wrath and began to consider them instead as vessels of mercy when they believed in His Son..
Romans 9 says what if He created some for certain use, not what if He created purposeless vessels and later changed His mind about them.
and it also says, what is it to you if He did, oh vain man? who do you think you are to judge Him or talk back to Him?

the scriptures say The Shepherd knows His sheep and searches for them. He doesn't go looking for goats belonging to other shepherds, steal them and transform them into sheep.

the leopard cannot change his spots.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
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Paul thinks he know the mind of God better than God, which is pure delusion. But some people love their delusions.
the Holy Spirit, not Paul, is the author of Romans, and it is Christ Himself Who says those I love, I rebuke and chasten

Exodus 32:31-34​
Then Moses returned to the LORD and said,
"Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written."
And the LORD said to Moses,
"Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. Now therefore, go, lead the people to [the place] of which I have spoken to you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit for punishment, I will visit punishment upon them for their sin."
is Moses blotted out?
is Israel blotted out?
no.

and The Angel of The LORD - Jesus Christ - went before the people.
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
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When it comes to Nineveh after the preaching of Jonah, God saw genuine repentance and changed His mind. Had He already foreseen and foreknown this? Of course, But the narrative is also true. And we need not go any further.
why did He send Jonah to Ninevah?
why did He chasten, rebuke and reason with Jonah until the message had been given to them?

because He did not ever change His mind about or His plans for those Ninevites He intended to save, nor for Jonah whom He also saved and taught the ways of righteousness.

Jonah is scripture because it testifies of Christ. 3 days and 3 nights in the belly and then the gathering of His sheep, saying, repent and be saved!
He knows the plans He has for you, and His arm is not shortened.