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Acts Within the Trinity Prove, “God is Love.”
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mat.24:36)
The text surely leaves no doubt that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are not, “All knowing.” That’s not what I was taught, but is that correct? The following insights have changed my thinking.
(Part 1 of 3)
Proof Text Demands
Some people demand a “proof text” for everything said about an infinite God as though a “sound bite” is the only or best solution. Bible verses are building blocks and when properly arranged, we discover truths which are otherwise unknown. I am not opposed to the use of “proof texts” as long as they are not used to put the Bible in a state of internal conflict. I am opposed to the idea that everything God wants us to understand is explicitly stated. God draws us into a study of His Word by requiring that we analyze line upon line and precept upon precept. Every truth does not require or have explicit statements. For example, suppose two facts in Algebra are stated: A = B and B = C. From these two facts we can deduct a new fact, A = C, even though there is no explicit statement saying that A = C.
The Bible is full of precious truth, some truths are explicitly stated; many have to be deducted. This makes studying the Bible so exciting! Truth is proven true by the harmony that comes from the sum of its parts. Unfortunately, some people are not reasonable, they insist on a “proof text” declaring that A = C when there is none. I often find this belligerence to be a smoke screen. Some people have staked out a position and are afraid their “theological house of cards” will fall, or be found inferior, if A = C. An honest-hearted, mature Bible student knows when the Holy Spirit is leading him into “all truth,” many “theological houses” have to fall and be rebuilt. I do not believe today what I believed fifty years ago! I have had to tear down many of my “theological constructs” to resolve apparent conflicts. This process never ends and it is so exciting! I do not fear what the truth may be, I just want to know what it is and apply it to my life!
The Jews in Christ’s day loved to spar using “proof texts” in their debates, as though eternal life depended on it, but for all their learning and memorization of Scripture, they missed the profound truth that Jesus was the promised Messiah! This happened because they errantly searched the Bible to support their religious bias and beliefs, not to understand God’s love, ways, plans, and thoughts. They did not understand John the Baptist was “the Elijah who was to come” because there was no “proof text.” In fact, many Jews rejected Jesus as Messiah because Elijah did not show up. Their bigoted experience should be a siren warning us that the Bible should not be treated with arrogance; remember, when it comes to matters pertaining to God, everyone has impediments. Tread softly!
A Wonderful Set of Plans
According to John chapter 1 and Hebrews 9:14, the Father was not a lone God before the universe was created; instead, Jesus and the eternal Spirit, two equal, separate, distinct, coeternal Gods accompanied Him. In the beginning, before anything was created, I believe three equals met to discuss plans which included creating an infinite and ever-expanding universe. They agreed on a number of important matters to establish a beginning for events in the universe. We know this is true because they stated this fact in unison! Notice how the plural is used: “Then God said [the Hebrew word elohiym is plural – meaning they spoke in unison, in agreement, with one voice], ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.’ ”
Each deity has the power of life within Himself, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and whatever else belongs to deity. Since we have limited knowledge of the universe, and if we accept everything the Godhead does is purposeful and deliberate, it is reasonable to conclude that long ago they agreed to create an ever-expanding space and fill it with remarkable and fascinating gifts for their children. They wanted an infinite number of planets, stars, constellations, and even universes.
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Mat.24:36)
The text surely leaves no doubt that Jesus and the Holy Spirit are not, “All knowing.” That’s not what I was taught, but is that correct? The following insights have changed my thinking.
(Part 1 of 3)
Proof Text Demands
Some people demand a “proof text” for everything said about an infinite God as though a “sound bite” is the only or best solution. Bible verses are building blocks and when properly arranged, we discover truths which are otherwise unknown. I am not opposed to the use of “proof texts” as long as they are not used to put the Bible in a state of internal conflict. I am opposed to the idea that everything God wants us to understand is explicitly stated. God draws us into a study of His Word by requiring that we analyze line upon line and precept upon precept. Every truth does not require or have explicit statements. For example, suppose two facts in Algebra are stated: A = B and B = C. From these two facts we can deduct a new fact, A = C, even though there is no explicit statement saying that A = C.
The Bible is full of precious truth, some truths are explicitly stated; many have to be deducted. This makes studying the Bible so exciting! Truth is proven true by the harmony that comes from the sum of its parts. Unfortunately, some people are not reasonable, they insist on a “proof text” declaring that A = C when there is none. I often find this belligerence to be a smoke screen. Some people have staked out a position and are afraid their “theological house of cards” will fall, or be found inferior, if A = C. An honest-hearted, mature Bible student knows when the Holy Spirit is leading him into “all truth,” many “theological houses” have to fall and be rebuilt. I do not believe today what I believed fifty years ago! I have had to tear down many of my “theological constructs” to resolve apparent conflicts. This process never ends and it is so exciting! I do not fear what the truth may be, I just want to know what it is and apply it to my life!
The Jews in Christ’s day loved to spar using “proof texts” in their debates, as though eternal life depended on it, but for all their learning and memorization of Scripture, they missed the profound truth that Jesus was the promised Messiah! This happened because they errantly searched the Bible to support their religious bias and beliefs, not to understand God’s love, ways, plans, and thoughts. They did not understand John the Baptist was “the Elijah who was to come” because there was no “proof text.” In fact, many Jews rejected Jesus as Messiah because Elijah did not show up. Their bigoted experience should be a siren warning us that the Bible should not be treated with arrogance; remember, when it comes to matters pertaining to God, everyone has impediments. Tread softly!
A Wonderful Set of Plans
According to John chapter 1 and Hebrews 9:14, the Father was not a lone God before the universe was created; instead, Jesus and the eternal Spirit, two equal, separate, distinct, coeternal Gods accompanied Him. In the beginning, before anything was created, I believe three equals met to discuss plans which included creating an infinite and ever-expanding universe. They agreed on a number of important matters to establish a beginning for events in the universe. We know this is true because they stated this fact in unison! Notice how the plural is used: “Then God said [the Hebrew word elohiym is plural – meaning they spoke in unison, in agreement, with one voice], ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness.’ ”
Each deity has the power of life within Himself, omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and whatever else belongs to deity. Since we have limited knowledge of the universe, and if we accept everything the Godhead does is purposeful and deliberate, it is reasonable to conclude that long ago they agreed to create an ever-expanding space and fill it with remarkable and fascinating gifts for their children. They wanted an infinite number of planets, stars, constellations, and even universes.