Theology Unplugged - Problem Passages in Scripture (Part 1): Did God Change His Mind
Did God change his mind? What about when God repents for making man on the earth in Gen 6.
Genesis 6:1-6 When humankind began to multiply on the face of the earth, and daughters were born to them, 2 the sons of God saw that the daughters of humankind were beautiful. Thus they took wives for themselves from any they chose. 3 So the LORD said, “My spirit will not remain in humankind indefinitely, since they are mortal. They will remain for 120 more years.” 4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days (and also after this) when the sons of God were having sexual relations with the daughters of humankind, who gave birth to their children. They were the mighty heroes of old, the famous men. 5 But the LORD saw that the wickedness of humankind had become great on the earth. Every inclination of the thoughts of their minds was only evil all the time. 6 The LORD regretted that he had made humankind on the earth, and he was highly offended.
I make the argument that we need to move beyond the idea that this is simple antropomorphism since 1) it does not fit, 2) it does not answer the question that is raised.
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Seth R. on 30 Mar 2008 at 12:55 am #
It does seem to suggest that human beings have the ability to act in ways that God has not pre-determined. Reminds me of a Jewish theologian (can’t remember the name) who suggested a God who can be surprised.
havoc on 30 Mar 2008 at 8:02 am #
Good theology, problematic sequence building…
Here are the filenames of the last four podcasts:
TUProgram85_Orthodoxy_1.mp3
TUProgram86_Orthodoxy_2.mp3
TUProgram86_Orthodoxy_3.mp3
TUProgram85_Problem_Passages_1.mp3
That’s very postmodern of you.
Grace and peace!
Cadis on 30 Mar 2008 at 3:31 pm #
Not that I’m arguing translations because I know very little about the various translations but here is the KJVR
Gen 6:6 And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.
To be quite truthful what interests me more is the latter part of the verse…and it grieved him at his heart vs. he was highly offended.
I think mans actions turned God from longsuffering to judgement. God turned from patience to wrath. Did God Change? He is longsuffering now,(we are in an age of grace, now is the day of salvation) that day will change to a day of wrath too, God’s patience will cease and he will turn on man with a vengeance.God will repent that he made man. He will destroy them . Does that mean God changes his mind?
JohnT3 on 31 Mar 2008 at 1:33 pm #
When Michael wears American Girl pj’s then we may have to talk:)
I think we get caught up on the when God was greived or when he made a decision. For us it seems like there has been almost 2000 years since Christ was crucified but to God it is but a blink of an eye.
Cadis on 31 Mar 2008 at 2:38 pm #
JohnT3,
I don’t understand your comment. Well, I understand it wouldn’t be a good thing for Michael to wear girls PJ’s. I don’t get caught up on either God being grieved or making a decision, and by the looks of the reponses to this topic, niether does anyone else
Seemed like a topic that would have generated response. I thought for once I would get in early instead of late. oh well, I was here early and no one showed up.
Josh on 31 Mar 2008 at 5:15 pm #
1 Sam. 15:11 is similar as well, and if I remember correctly the same Hebrew word for “regret” (or repent) is used in both cases.
“I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following Me and has not carried out My commands.” And Samuel was distressed and cried out to the LORD all night.”
These passage are extremely “annoying” because they mess up our nice boxes of systematic theology =P
Jason on 01 Apr 2008 at 7:08 am #
Well, it’s annoying because there is other Scripture that tells us that God can’t change his mind:
Numbers 23:19 “God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind.”
In the Gen 6 passage we have a description of something God did, an action He took (He regretted making man). But in the Num 23 passage we have a description of God’s attributes, who He is. Given that, I understand your statement of why we can move past anthropomorphism, but at the same time, the passage in Gen 6 contradicts the passage in Num 23 unless we interpret the Gen 6 passage in light of Num 23 given that Num 23 is a clear statement of who God is.
Frank on 06 Apr 2008 at 9:04 am #
Isaiah 55 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says Jehovah. For as the heavens are high from the earth, so My ways are high from your ways, and My thoughts from your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow comes down from the heavens and do not return there, except it waters the earth and make it bring forth and bud, and give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be, which goes out of My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in what I sent it to do!”
How about reverse-anthropomorphism? Perhaps Jehovah made the comment speaking as a man would?
Jas 1:17 every act of good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom is no change or shadow of turning.
Clearly, God cannot change.
mtnwinds on 06 Apr 2008 at 9:19 am #
Isaiah 55 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says Jehovah. For as the heavens are high from the earth, so My ways are high from your ways, and My thoughts from your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow comes down from the heavens and do not return there, except it waters the earth and make it bring forth and bud, and give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be, which goes out of My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in what I sent it to do!”
It appears to me that Jehovah is speaking to men, through a man, as a man might speak when frustrated. The idea that Jehovah is capable of making a mistake is ludicrous to me. When I don’t understand, I don’t understand.
Jas 1:17 every act of good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom is no change or shadow of turning.
Clearly, God cannot change.
mtnwinds on 06 Apr 2008 at 9:27 am #
Isaiah 55 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, says Jehovah. For as the heavens are high from the earth, so My ways are high from your ways, and My thoughts from your thoughts. For as the rain and the snow comes down from the heavens and do not return there, except it waters the earth and make it bring forth and bud, and give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My Word be, which goes out of My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in what I sent it to do!”
It appears to me that Jehovah is speaking to men, through a man, as a frustrated man might speak. The idea that Jehovah is capable of making a mistake is ludicrous to me. When I don’t understand, I must remember that it is I that doesn’t understand.
Jas 1:17 every act of good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom is no change or shadow of turning.
Clearly, Jehovah cannot change.
Monk on 13 Apr 2008 at 4:45 am #
KJG Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?
No comment!
Justthinking on 29 Apr 2008 at 1:44 pm #
The site is very interesting and stimulates thinking. Conversation intriguing as this is very helpful to spiritual growth, and learning from others is always welcomed and biblical.