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by mattrose
Mon Jul 16, 2018 8:27 am
Forum: The Pentateuch
Topic: Was Joseph a Calvinist?
Replies: 28
Views: 18060

Re: Was Joseph a Calvinist?

My postings are always my speculative opinion. I argue for my views not because they are facts, but because I believe them. My point is that the opinion I am presenting is an alternative (non-calvinistic) way of reading the Joseph story AND that it actually takes the context of the story more seriou...
by mattrose
Sun Jul 15, 2018 10:47 pm
Forum: The Pentateuch
Topic: Was Joseph a Calvinist?
Replies: 28
Views: 18060

Re: Was Joseph a Calvinist?

I would be careful surmising that Joseph’s conclusion was in error concerning his brothers’ folly at God’s direction. Actually, I did not suggest that Joseph's conclusion was in error. I suggested that calvinistic interpretations of his statements were in error. There are multiple ways of interpret...
by mattrose
Sun Jul 15, 2018 12:57 pm
Forum: The Pentateuch
Topic: Was Joseph a Calvinist?
Replies: 28
Views: 18060

Re: Was Joseph a Calvinist?

Yeah, I think it's reasonable to conclude that Joseph was a spoiled brat. He was the favorite child of his father despite being the 11th son born. The older 10 were out working and Joseph was sent to check on them and gave them a bad report. That could be interpreted as either helpful to his dad or ...
by mattrose
Sat Jul 14, 2018 11:51 am
Forum: The Pentateuch
Topic: Was Joseph a Calvinist?
Replies: 28
Views: 18060

Re: Was Joseph a Calvinist?

Part of the equation is that Joseph was basically a spoiled favorite child who didn't have the sense not to tell his brothers about his dreams which he surely must've known would antagonize them. Not telling them those things, and probably a zillion other things we don't know about, would've gone a...
by mattrose
Sat Jul 14, 2018 11:37 am
Forum: The Pentateuch
Topic: Was Joseph a Calvinist?
Replies: 28
Views: 18060

Re: Was Joseph a Calvinist?

I mentioned Oord as an interesting dialogue partner, but stated that I don't agree with him. I believe God can intervene. Part of the point of my post was to make 2 points 1) God is not the cause of evil things (does not 'cause' suffering) 2) God, in divine providence, has good reasons for not inter...
by mattrose
Fri Jul 13, 2018 10:34 pm
Forum: The Pentateuch
Topic: Was Joseph a Calvinist?
Replies: 28
Views: 18060

Re: Was Joseph a Calvinist?

I was thinking the other day of what God could have hypothetically done to intervene in Joseph's sufferings Could God have given Joseph's brothers some sort of 'love potion' so that they no longer hated their brother and decided not to kill/sell him? Sure. Would that have been 'better'? NOT if the g...
by mattrose
Fri Jul 13, 2018 12:21 pm
Forum: The Pentateuch
Topic: Was Joseph a Calvinist?
Replies: 28
Views: 18060

Re: Was Joseph a Calvinist?

I guess my larger point boils down to this Joseph's statements, today, are most often reflected on in systematic theology textbooks Joseph's statement, originally, was in an extremely intense emotional moment Many times, in my life, when I've been wronged (though I've never been wronged to the same ...
by mattrose
Fri Jul 13, 2018 10:55 am
Forum: The Pentateuch
Topic: Was Joseph a Calvinist?
Replies: 28
Views: 18060

Re: Was Joseph a Calvinist?

But many believe that God CAUSED these things to happen to Joseph, in order to bring forth good for people. They justify this view by quoting Joseph's words to his brothers as recorded in Genesis 50:20 Yes, I referred to Genesis 50:20 in the first line of my post. That statement, and Joseph's simil...
by mattrose
Thu Jul 12, 2018 4:43 pm
Forum: The Pentateuch
Topic: Was Joseph a Calvinist?
Replies: 28
Views: 18060

Was Joseph a Calvinist?

Many have taken Joseph's words in Genesis 45:5-8 & 50:20 to mean that God had authored the whole series of events in Joseph's life. I don't think so and here's why: 1. The Bible is clear that God is not the author of evil. Evil things were done to Joseph. 2. The text explicitly says that the human a...
by mattrose
Sat Jun 23, 2018 9:54 pm
Forum: Other
Topic: Referring to One's Religion as One's "Faith"
Replies: 8
Views: 13213

Re: Referring to One's Religion as One's "Faith"

I think the word 'religion' is, more and more, considered to have a negative connotation. We hear about 'bad religion' We hear about 'losing our religion' We're told to imagine a world with no religion (and assume it'd be much better) Even many Christians say they are 'spiritual' or a 'person of fai...

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