Joe
Well-known member
"The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the LORD said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” (Gen 6:5-7)
I've heard many on this board defend their belief that God determines every thought and action of man and yet in Genesis 6:5-7 it seems that He does not, unless God determines things and is later regretful and sorry for His determinations.
IF God determines every thought and action of man, then He is the one who caused verse 6, "...the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually". Is this really the work of God, who by His determination before the world was made fatalistically caused the wickedness of man and all that came with it by His determinations? Under determinism these people did exactly what God made them do. They had no other option than to be greatly wicked and evil of heart continually.
We continue reading and understand that God regretted making man on the earth and it grieved Him to His heart. Now why would God regret and be grieved making man IF man is doing exactly what He determined for them to do, each thought and action?
Continuing we understand God in His regret was sorry for making man and was going to blot man out, eliminate mankind.
Did God make a mistake and regret it later to the point that He was going to eliminate man?
For the Calvinist, what happened here with God? Why did He seem surprised, regretful, and grievous if man is doing exactly what He made them to do?
God bless
Please note: My time is very limited. My responses may be slow or selective.
I've heard many on this board defend their belief that God determines every thought and action of man and yet in Genesis 6:5-7 it seems that He does not, unless God determines things and is later regretful and sorry for His determinations.
IF God determines every thought and action of man, then He is the one who caused verse 6, "...the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually". Is this really the work of God, who by His determination before the world was made fatalistically caused the wickedness of man and all that came with it by His determinations? Under determinism these people did exactly what God made them do. They had no other option than to be greatly wicked and evil of heart continually.
We continue reading and understand that God regretted making man on the earth and it grieved Him to His heart. Now why would God regret and be grieved making man IF man is doing exactly what He determined for them to do, each thought and action?
Continuing we understand God in His regret was sorry for making man and was going to blot man out, eliminate mankind.
Did God make a mistake and regret it later to the point that He was going to eliminate man?
For the Calvinist, what happened here with God? Why did He seem surprised, regretful, and grievous if man is doing exactly what He made them to do?
God bless
Please note: My time is very limited. My responses may be slow or selective.