2 Corinthians 4:4:
Re: 2 Corinthians 4:4:
Off topic, but Steve's reply is visible on the Board Index, but not the forum, except in this Reply Window. Is it my computer, or is something amiss?
[color=#0000FF][b]"It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery."[/b][/color]
Re: 2 Corinthians 4:4:
The Isaiah passage is also referred to in Mt 13:14,15 Mark 4:12 Luke 8:10 and Acts 28:26-27
But these examples are judgments which were on a small number of folks who were repeatedly warned by God. This verse would mean God sent Christ to be the Savior of the world but God also blinds the minds of the people Jesus came to save?
But these examples are judgments which were on a small number of folks who were repeatedly warned by God. This verse would mean God sent Christ to be the Savior of the world but God also blinds the minds of the people Jesus came to save?
Re: 2 Corinthians 4:4:
These verses seem to indicate that God blinds the eyes of the Hebrew or Jewish people. Yet, those are the very people Jesus came to save. The angel announced to Joseph, "You shall call his name 'Jesus' [Saviour], for he shall save his people from their sins."Steve 7150 wrote:But these examples are judgments which were on a small number of folks who were repeatedly warned by God. This verse would mean God sent Christ to be the Savior of the world but God also blinds the minds of the people Jesus came to save?
Steve, I have as much difficulty with the concept as you. But that is what these verses say.
My point is not to defend the idea that God blinds people's minds, but to support the view that 2 Corinthians 4:4 ought to read as Irenæus said, namely:
God blinds the eyes of those of this age that believe not.
I am saying that other scriptures support this concept, whether it is true or not. I am saying that Satan is not a god of this age, though no doubt he thinks he is. Let's not give him that honour. There is only one God of this age, and He is in control.
"Our God reigns!"
Paidion
Man judges a person by his past deeds, and administers penalties for his wrongdoing. God judges a person by his present character, and disciplines him that he may become righteous.
Avatar shows me at 75 years old. I am now 83.
Man judges a person by his past deeds, and administers penalties for his wrongdoing. God judges a person by his present character, and disciplines him that he may become righteous.
Avatar shows me at 75 years old. I am now 83.
Re: 2 Corinthians 4:4:
I am saying that other scriptures support this concept, whether it is true or not. I am saying that Satan is not a god of this age, though no doubt he thinks he is. Let's not give him that honour. There is only one God of this age, and He is in control.
Paidion,
When God blinds certain people because of a judgment then by default everyone else is not blinded by God. So this expression "god of this age" blinding all unbelievers would have the opposite meaning of God normally not blinding 99% of the people of this world.
I suspect the phrase "blinds the minds" may be akin to nothing more then Satan's use of deception on the unbelieving. We know Satan can use deception as even Paul said he can appear as an angel of light or even as a snake. Even the phrase "god of this age" could have been made derisively about Satan meaning he thinks he is the god of this age.
Paidion,
When God blinds certain people because of a judgment then by default everyone else is not blinded by God. So this expression "god of this age" blinding all unbelievers would have the opposite meaning of God normally not blinding 99% of the people of this world.
I suspect the phrase "blinds the minds" may be akin to nothing more then Satan's use of deception on the unbelieving. We know Satan can use deception as even Paul said he can appear as an angel of light or even as a snake. Even the phrase "god of this age" could have been made derisively about Satan meaning he thinks he is the god of this age.
Re: 2 Corinthians 4:4:
Only in modern times has "god of this age" been ascribed to Satan.
When Irenæus argued that "of this age" had been misplaced, he was arguing against gnostics who believed that the "god of this age" was Yahweh, the creator, whom the gnostics considered to be a lesser god, inferior to "the Father of Christ". The gnostics believed that Yahweh thought he was the supreme God, but was mistaken. Their belief was that Yahweh was merely, "the god of this age", whereas the Father of Christ was the God of all ages.
When Irenæus argued that "of this age" had been misplaced, he was arguing against gnostics who believed that the "god of this age" was Yahweh, the creator, whom the gnostics considered to be a lesser god, inferior to "the Father of Christ". The gnostics believed that Yahweh thought he was the supreme God, but was mistaken. Their belief was that Yahweh was merely, "the god of this age", whereas the Father of Christ was the God of all ages.
Paidion
Man judges a person by his past deeds, and administers penalties for his wrongdoing. God judges a person by his present character, and disciplines him that he may become righteous.
Avatar shows me at 75 years old. I am now 83.
Man judges a person by his past deeds, and administers penalties for his wrongdoing. God judges a person by his present character, and disciplines him that he may become righteous.
Avatar shows me at 75 years old. I am now 83.