How is God's judgement of man fair when he judges them without considering their deeds?
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In America, our judicial system is built on the idea that a man is assumed innocent, and then proven guilty with evidence.
In contrast, Paul wrote:
> Romans 9 10-18: ...there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; 11 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,
12 it was said to her, “THE OLDER WILL SERVE THE YOUNGER.” 13 Just as it is written, “JACOB I LOVED, BUT ESAU I HATED.”
>
> 14 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! 15 For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOM I HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOM I HAVE
COMPASSION.” 16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the
man who runs, but on God who has mercy. 17 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.” 18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He
hardens whom He desires.
One way to defend the Christian God here is to say Paul is just speaking of Jacob and Esau's relative stations in earthly life, and that only that aspect of their lives was predetermined. But that idea is invalid with regard to verses 14-18 which connect Jacob and Esau's example to Pharaohs, in which Pharaoh's damnation was predetermined. Also, the declaration "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy" contradicts that idea. It is clear then, from these verses, that Paul is boasting that God judges people based on his whim, not a trial.
Another way to defend the Christian God, which I've heard, is "God doesn't have to sound fair by human reasoning." But human reasoning is all we have, to use to make decisions about what we believe. Also what's fair or not is known by everyone by instinct. We all know judgement cannot happen without considering some action which is being judged. Not requiring God's judgement to be just according to us is forgoing any understanding of God.
Asked by Calicoder
(317 rep)
Apr 18, 2020, 10:36 PM
Last activity: Mar 24, 2023, 10:13 PM
Last activity: Mar 24, 2023, 10:13 PM