Does scripture correct scripture?

[postroad]

Do you know what I mean? Progressive revelation, texts held in tension, correct interpretation, led by the Spirit. Blah. blah blah.

Feeling a bit frustrated today resolving the theological difficulties in the account of Jonah. Nothing to do with the absurdity of him being in the belly of a fish though.

Its to do with the concept of God changing his mind and also causing Jonah to become a false prophet through this. Good grief! God himself puts Jonah into the position of "false prophet" a crime punishable by death as blasphemy.

So what then? Does this little book call into question all texts concerning God's sovereignty, foreknowledge and basic trustworthiness and truthfulness?

[Checkpoint]

Do you know what I mean? Progressive revelation, texts held in tension, correct interpretation, led by the Spirit. Blah. blah blah.

Feeling a bit frustrated today resolving the theological difficulties in the account of Jonah. Nothing to do with the absurdity of him being in the belly of a fish though.

Its to do with the concept of God changing his mind and also causing Jonah to become a false prophet through this. Good grief! God himself puts Jonah into the position of "false prophet" a crime punishable by death as blasphemy.

So what then? Does this little book call into question all texts concerning God's sovereignty, foreknowledge and basic trustworthiness and truthfulness?

No, except in the minds of people who read it that way.

[postroad]

[Replying to post 2 by Checkpoint]

That's helpful...Not.

But more importantly, what theological purpose does the story serve?

[postroad]

What happened to God's "perfect justice" requiring a sacrificial atonement for sin? These people simply repented and where forgiven. As a consequence Jonah became a false prophet worthy of death.

[ttruscott]

As a consequence Jonah became a false prophet worthy of death.

Since he is accredited as a sign from GOD in the NT, I suggest we find a way in which he is not killed as a false prophet...this is the sensible Christian approach. Therefore it is easy to conclude that that part of his message before the OR has been left out...REPENT OR you will be destroyed!

[postroad]

[Replying to post 5 by ttruscott]

That does not fit the story at all. Jonah was angry because his prophecy had failed.

[JehovahsWitness]

Do you know what I mean? Progressive revelation

Does scripture correct scripture?

No. A correction would be needed if an error or mistake had been made. There are no mistakes in the bible so no one scripture "corrects" another. That said, one scripture can shed light on another, helping the reader to better understand the intended meaning.

Progress doesn't equal Correction.

Just because something changes, that doesn't necessarily mean what was previous was erroneous. Take for example a child sent, first to kindergarden, then to primary school and then to Highschool and finally to university (College). Which of those was an error that was corrected? Was it not rather a natual progression in the light of changing circumstances (in this case the progressive maturity and increased knowledge of the student)?

In a similar way, the bible reveals God's progressive revealing of information in line with changing circumstances.

Progressive Revelation in the Hebrew scriptures
http://debatingchristianity.com/forum/v ... 251#330251


Hope that help,

JW

[JehovahsWitness]

Its to do with the concept of God changing his mind

Although God does not change in terms of his basic value system and qualities He is adaptable and is more than willing to change a prescribed set of actions in response to different circumstances, notably how his creation responds to his commands.

Does God Change His Mind?

Yes, he does, in the sense that he changes his attitude when people change their behavior. For example, when God sent a judgment message to the people of ancient Israel, he said: Perhaps they will listen and each one will turn back from his evil way, and I will change my mind concerning the calamity that I intend to bring on them because of their evil deeds" - Jeremiah 26:3.

Read more...
https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/q ... -his-mind/

[ttruscott]

Perhaps they will listen and each one will turn back from his evil way, and I will change my mind concerning the calamity that I intend to bring on them because of their evil deeds."Jeremiah 26:3.

Since this verse describes an if then, then this but if that, then that option, when HE describes changing HIS mind if they repented, it would seem that if they repented, HE comforts HIMself (another meaning of the word used for changing HIS mind or repenting) in the fact that now HE doesn't have to do that...not really a change of mind but more a making up of HIS mind due to their actions.

Other verses seem to indicate HE allows men's actions or arguments to change HIS mind but not this one, methinks.

[Pierac]

[Replying to post 2 by Checkpoint]

That's helpful...Not.

But more importantly, what theological purpose does the story serve?

Rom 9:1 I am telling the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience testifies with me in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and unceasing grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh, who are Israelites, to whom belongs the adoption as sons, and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Law and the temple service and the promises, whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Christ according to the flesh, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen. But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; nor are they all children because they are Abraham's descendants, but: "THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED." That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. For this is the word of promise: "AT THIS TIME I WILL COME, AND SARAH SHALL HAVE A SON." And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God's purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, it was said to her, "THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER." Just as it is written, "JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED." What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! For He says to Moses, "I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE COMPASSION." So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH." So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires. You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?" On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, "Why did you make me like this," will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.

You have much to learn!
Paul