Does God change his mind?

[OnceConvinced]

A Christian member of our forum recently pointed out a bible contradiction for all to see:

This verse was presented first:
Numbers 23:19 "God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind."

The Christian then attempted to trump it with a contradictory scripture where God DOES change his mind, thus exposing a blatant bible contradiction:

Jeremiah 18:8 "But if that nation about which I spoke turns from its evil way, I'll change my mind about the disaster that I had planned for it."

Here are further verses that show God changing his mind:

Exodus 32:14
So the LORD changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people.

Amos 7:3
The LORD changed His mind about this. "It shall not be," said the LORD.

Jeremiah 18:10
if it does evil in My sight by not obeying My voice, then I will think better of the good with which I had promised to bless it. (wow this is a verse where God says he will break his promise!!)


So questions for debate:

Does Got change his mind?
If he does change his mind, how do we know he hasn't changed his mind about much of what he expected from us in the New Testament?
If he does change his mind, how can we really know what he wants of us today?

[marco]

Ask WHOM?
God?

You have to be kidding.. that's impossible.
Otherwise, I'd a done done it a long long time a go-go, amigo.

In fact I was joking when I made the original statement but since you've made an interpretational error I have taken the trouble to correct your misunderstanding but alas, you still misunderstand so here we go again.

It is NOT impossible to pray or ask. That was my jocular advice.

In this forum people believe God exists and there is no need for me to prove God exists here..... deo gratias. So you should have no problem.

I asked God for his cellphone number and, since he knew I was going to give it to you, he said: "No way." But try asking him yourself while you are in the right area for good reception. Good luck.

[Blastcat]

[Replying to post 460 by marco]


[center]
Facetiousness aside for a minute, lets think about this seriously[/center]

In any event I was being facetious when I suggested the simplest way was to ask God, but if one is to take my words with solemnity, then many people do believe that ASKING results in RECEIVING. Not my view, but the prevailing view in this discussion area.

With jokes, it's risky business.. some people take the jokes that I make oh so seriously, don't they?

So, thanks for the clarification, you were being facetious.
Now, back to my question about doing the impossible.

Are you saying that it's possible to talk to God directly?

[Blastcat]

[Replying to post 461 by marco]


[center]
He was only joking[/center]

In fact I was joking when I made the original statement but since you've made an interpretational error I have taken the trouble to correct your misunderstanding but alas, you still misunderstand so here we go again.

Thank you for your patience.

It is NOT impossible to pray or ask. That was my jocular advice.

Is it possible to get a response?
That's my jocular question.

In this forum people believe God exists and there is no need for me to prove God exists here..... deo gratias. So you should have no problem.

Oh we are to just ASSUME that the god actually exists by ... ( not going to check the Latin ) God's Grace?

People who just ASSUME that are saying something like this: "God exists thanks to God"

I think that's about the worst case IMAGINABLE... ( its early, I haven't read a lot of posts from our dear Christian friends, yet ) I think that there may be worse thinking than the one your just portrayed, but ... well, I'm being a little bit unimaginative this morning.

I asked God for his cellphone number and, since he knew I was going to give it to you, he said: "No way."

Didn't you just invent that answer?
I'm going to take that as MORE of your wonderful humor, and NOT take it so seriously, Ok?

Hope I caught on to THAT one..... lemme know.

But try asking him yourself while you are in the right area for good reception. Good luck.

Yeah, it's only BEEN like 60 years, who knows, right?
We MIGHT find evidence for fairies, after all !!

Or Vishnu.
Or heck.. even God.

Can you imagine a scenario where GOD has MY cell number?
If he calls me.. I will put him on speed-dial, for sure.

( joke )

[marco]

Are you saying that it's possible to talk to God directly?

I am saying, Blastcat, that it is as sensible to ASK God if he changes his mind as it is to discuss whether he does, without knowing anything about him.

You will just have to accept this clever analysis of a joke.

[marco]

Is it possible to get a response?
That's my jocular question.

Well that's NOT a jocular question since it occupies the attention of theologians. If God exists it IS possible. On this forum it is assumed God exists, and so here, where we are speaking, Blastcat, it is possible.
Do I personally think one would get a response. NO. that is why I spoke of interpreting the silence. You see?

Oh we are to just ASSUME that the god actually exists

Yes, Blastcat. You are not to challenge those that think so. I don't think so but I suspect I am being challenged anyway.

I think that's about the worst case IMAGINABLE... ( its early, I haven't read a lot of posts from our dear Christian friends, yet ) I think that there may be worse thinking than the one your just portrayed, but ... well, I'm being a little bit unimaginative this morning.

You have lost me in this quagmire of reflections. I hope I am not expected to comment.

Can you imagine a scenario where GOD has MY cell number?
If he calls me.. I will put him on speed-dial, for sure.

I can certainly imagine this. If God exists - which we assume here, remember - then he should have your phone number. Perhaps he will find a faster way of communicating with you and save me the trouble of answering your questions on what is possible and what is impossible.

Thanks for the entertainment. If God changes his mind about not communicating with you, let me know. It will help the discussion along here. Oh, but you think that's impossible. Ah, well, let's stick to speculation.

[Blastcat]

[Replying to post 464 by marco]



[center]Avoiding the question like the plague for some reason[/center]

Are you saying that it's possible to talk to God directly?

I am saying, Blastcat, that it is as sensible to ASK God if he changes his mind as it is to discuss whether he does, without knowing anything about him.

Yeah, you keep repeating that.
But that's not what I just asked.

[hoghead1]

[Replying to post 455 by marco]

I agree that you shouldn't built on verses that are false, but not all passages in the Bible are false, as you yourself just noted. Unfortunately, there are people who use no discretion when they read Scripture. But beg del, so what? There are all sorts of people who don't use any discretion when they read or hear history either. You can't dump books because some readers do not use discretion.

I think you too glibly wrote off my analogy. There is a solid reason for it. if we have genuine freedom, and I believe we do, then no, God cannot micromanage us. God cannot decide for us. We have to decide for ourselves. And in the process, there is considerable possibility of error or sine or whatever you want to call it on our part. That holds for us all and also for all the biblical writers as well.

[Blastcat]

[Replying to post 467 by hoghead1]


[center]

Not all Bible passages are true.[/center]

I agree that you shouldn't built on verses that are false, but not all passages in the Bible are false, as you yourself just noted.

And now, we must debate which ones are true, and which ones aren't.
Opinions, anyone?

[marco]

Yeah, you keep repeating that.
But that's not what I just asked.

The discussion is losing its entertainment value, Blastcat. My repetition is in response to your repeating a mistaken impression. You are asking whether it is possible to talk to God. You can tell me why it isn't - remembering which forum you are on.

Take your time.

[hoghead1]

[Replying to post 456 by Joe1950]

It doesn't follow that if one part is flawed, all the rest is, too. The fact of the matter is that I know of no inerrant works in anything. However, that doesn't mean we should throw out all the books, never listen to any concerts because there has yet to be a totally perfect, flawless one performed, etc. When you read the Bible, as when you read any book, or hear any historical account, you are going to have to use your discretion. Remember, the Bible is essentially a work in history, not science, history, and history is merely gossip. Whenever it comes to any major historical figures, Christ or Napoleon, there is always controversy, contradiction abounding, suspicious accounts, even when, and especially when, you find them to be autobiographical. Granted, sometimes it's hard to decide, so we have just got to do the best we can. That's what they mean by a leap of faith.