The one and the same or not?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
20,370
6,953
113
62
#22
Metaphorical Language:

You seem to have a dislike for the term anthropomorphism, and for the idea of metaphorical language in general.

So when Christ said, "I am the door"... did that mean he had hinges and a doorknob?



.
.
And a knocker. You know...for when He stands at the door and knocks.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
20,370
6,953
113
62
#23
Metaphorical Language:

You seem to have a dislike for the term anthropomorphism, and for the idea of metaphorical language in general.

So when Christ said, "I am the door"... did that mean he had hinges and a doorknob?



.
.
Baa...I mean...real sheep bleat.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,658
30,680
113
#25
Metaphorical Language:

You seem to have a dislike for the term anthropomorphism, and for the idea of metaphorical language in general.

So when Christ said, "I am the door"... did that mean he had hinges and a doorknob?
.
Can you guess who this is?

1736059110531.png
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,249
3,718
113
#26
Metaphorical Language:

You seem to have a dislike for the term anthropomorphism, and for the idea of metaphorical language in general.

So when Christ said, "I am the door"... did that mean he had hinges and a doorknob?



.
.
All doors don’t have hinges and knobs. Those are types of doors, but so is Jesus. A door opens and leads the way.

Besides, stating the word “now” is nowhere close to being a metaphor.
 
Nov 1, 2024
1,516
476
83
#27
All doors don’t have hinges and knobs. Those are types of doors, but so is Jesus. A door opens and leads the way.
Which is a metaphor. How do you think you can be saved if you don't drink Jesus' physical blood and cannibalize his physical flesh?

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. John 6:53
 
Oct 24, 2012
16,821
585
113
#28
Genesis 22:12 says, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for...NOW... I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me”.

HOWEVER:.....

Matthew 26:34 in the Bible says, "Truly I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you... WILL...disown me three times".

How is it in Genesis, the passage reads that the all knowing God appears unsure as to whether Abraham will follow his command when tested, but in Matthew, Jesus is clearly able to know what Peter will do in the future?

Explanation/s please.
God knows, and yet chooses to reveal what God knows or not
As God in the fall of Adam and Eve, said to them
"who told you, you were naked?" Have you eaten from that tree?
As if God did not know.
To me I see this: God allows us each to be accountable to self and God in honesty. That be what I see, thanking God forever in trust to God as the only one righteous, that enables righteousness in as God chooses to for a righteous reason as even those God does not do that for a righteous reason, that I need not to have to understand, because I have chosen to trust God no matter how anyone else lays it out, I see to not listen to that age old serpent that Eve, then Adam listened to, thank you
As Peter definitely did not think he would ever deny Jesus the Son. He did do that didn't he as God knew. Which was for Peter's benefit to see and be accountable, that took a while even after his denial, even though forgiven for it by God Father in Son. Peter still even got told by Paul he was not doing it correctly, hiding himself from his brethren that were coming there in Galatia to check out this freedom given them. (Peter hid) As Paul even said he did not care what flesh thinks, even the patrons under Law. If you are going to live free, then live free as you say you believe. I Love the love of God that frees us all to love all as God does, proven on that cross once for all to me at least
First death to fulfill Law and then risen to give us this love and mercy to now do that too, thank you
 

maxwel

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2013
9,586
2,660
113
#29
Maybe there are future things that are not knowledge until the decision is made, and then and only then does it become known of God. Maybe God has chosen to work within the timeframe and free will that he has given to man.🤷🏻‍♂️
Omniscience vs Heresy of Open Theism:

1.) Open theism (which is being promoted in this thread) makes a direct attack upon God's omniscience. This is literal heresy, and it always has been, through all of church history. Open Theism claims God does NOT have omniscience, and he does NOT know all things, and many things simply SURPRISE him... as if he's not God, but a child.

2.) To attack God's omniscience is to attack God's core divine attributes... it is an attack on God's divine nature, being and character. This is an attempt to LOWER God's divine nature, and make him more like fallen man. It constitutes nothing more than a lowering, a denigrating, of God.

3.) God's omniscience is very clear in scripture, we have many clear verses for it, it's been understood for millennia... and Open Theism attacks it.



Conclusion:
Because Open Theism attacks God's divine attribute of omniscience, and greatly lowers God's divine knowledge so that it's closer to the weak and fallible knowledge of fallen man... this lifts Open Theism far above the realm of harmless error, and moves it into the realm of genuine heresy.

Biblical Christians should neither entertain it, nor tolerate it, for a single moment.

.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,249
3,718
113
#30
Which is a metaphor. How do you think you can be saved if you don't drink Jesus' physical blood and cannibalize his physical flesh?

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. John 6:53
He later on clarifies it is a memorial, not to be taken literally.
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,249
3,718
113
#31
Omniscience vs Heresy of Open Theism:

1.) Open theism (which is being promoted in this thread) makes a direct attack upon God's omniscience. This is literal heresy, and it always has been, through all of church history. Open Theism claims God does NOT have omniscience, and he does NOT know all things, and many things simply SURPRISE him... as if he's not God, but a child.

2.) To attack God's omniscience is to attack God's core divine attributes... it is an attack on God's divine nature, being and character. This is an attempt to LOWER God's divine nature, and make him more like fallen man. It constitutes nothing more than a lowering, a denigrating, of God.

3.) God's omniscience is very clear in scripture, we have many clear verses for it, it's been understood for millennia... and Open Theism attacks it.



Conclusion:
Because Open Theism attacks God's divine attribute of omniscience, and greatly lowers God's divine knowledge so that it's closer to the weak and fallible knowledge of fallen man... this lifts Open Theism far above the realm of harmless error, and moves it into the realm of genuine heresy.

Biblical Christians should neither entertain it, nor tolerate it, for a single moment.

.
I don’t know about open theism, but biblically, God knows all things. What I am eluding too is future things are not necessarily knowledge, therefore, an all knowing God cannot know them until events play out.

Man should not define terms as omniscience, then put God into our definition. That’s all. The Bible should be the basis of all things God.

Why would God be any lesser if he has chosen not to know certain future things?

In the future, has God chosen to remember our sins no more?
 
Nov 28, 2024
18
7
3
#32
Because in every situation, the words.... NOW I know ....indicates uncertainty or not knowing something beforehand .
 
Nov 28, 2024
18
7
3
#33
I think God knew Abrahams heart I think he said what he did for Abrahams benefit if God being all knowing had to say something like that to an unknowing beiong there can only be one side that benefits from said words
God knows Abrahams heart: Then again why the need to test him if he already knows the outcome? Notice that it says that God says for NOW I know, and not for now YOU know.
 
Nov 28, 2024
18
7
3
#35
I think your making more out of this than is necessary! The simple answer is that God tested Abraham to see if he would take God's word over his own reason, thus proving that the sacrifice was already satisfied in Abraham's heart. Now I have a question for you? Genesis 22:11 says, "But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham, and he said, Here I am." Who do you think the angel of the Lord is? And why is the angel of the Lord calling out of heaven here at vs11 and at vs15? Why does not the text say that "God called out from the heavens?

In Him,
bluto
Hi Bluto, thank you for your view.
I can only repeat the question that if you know something 100% to be so; then why the need to test it or them.

Bit like saying let me test if a cup will fall to the ground if you push it off a high table surface. You wouldn't need to test this as you already know what will happen.

I test you to get the most valuable glass or pottery ornament you have. Find yourself a hard floor surface and throw that precious object up in the up in the air to see if it'll fall to the ground and break.

If I said I don't think that object will fall all the way to the ground and break.

If you think 100% that I am wrong then you won't try this test as you 100% the likely outcome of such a test. Do you agree ?
 
Nov 28, 2024
18
7
3
#36
God knows all things at all times.

you should not be asking why it seems like He doesn't, but why He said to Abraham exactly what He said, because what He said was absolutely perfect.
That looks absolutely sounds good to read but I'm not exactly sure what you mean when you say what 'he said was was absolutely perfect'. Can you explain this a bit more please. Thanks.
 
Nov 28, 2024
18
7
3
#37
God has provided us with everything we need to know at this time. But once we see Him face to face all things will be revealed............
1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
Hi Billy Bob, I think that passage relates to us mortal human beings, and not to an All knowing and seeing God.
 
Nov 28, 2024
18
7
3
#38
Maybe there are future things that are not knowledge until the decision is made, and then and only then does it become known of God. Maybe God has chosen to work within the timeframe and free will that he has given to man.🤷🏻‍♂️
A very very interesting reply John. When you say future things not being known until the decision is made. Who do mean is the one needing to make the decision. Man or God?
 

Blain

The Word Weaver
Aug 28, 2012
19,667
2,788
113
#39
God knows Abrahams heart: Then again why the need to test him if he already knows the outcome? Notice that it says that God says for NOW I know, and not for now YOU know.
what do you think he said it for?
 

John146

Senior Member
Jan 13, 2016
17,249
3,718
113
#40
A very very interesting reply John. When you say future things not being known until the decision is made. Who do mean is the one needing to make the decision. Man or God?
To answer your question, both. When man is faced with the word of God, man must make a decision. When makes a decision, either with his mouth or his heart, then God knows it as in the case of Abraham. Abraham was being tested by God to see if Abraham feared God.

Is God perfect in knowledge? Absolutely! He knows our thoughts, our words before we speak them, even the number of hairs on our heads. These things are knowledge to be known only to God.

Prophecy and future knowledge as stated in scripture will come to pass because God is the one making sure it will come to pass. Our day to day decisions are not in scripture, therefore, they may not be knowledge until we are confronted to make a decision. Imagine God working in and through all people on the earth at all times, making sure his will as outlined in scripture come to pass.

I'm not some, "open theist", but a bible believer. I don't believe God is caught off guard or surprised, but instead, has given man choices to make. Remember, God knows us better than we know ourselves. There are many "if and then" statements in the bible. "If you do this, then I know what the outcome will be. But if you do that, I know the outcome. Now choose."