God's Laws

[Ruben]

Does God the Father have to obey His own laws of conduct and laws governing the universe or can He act at will and override any or all laws at His discretion?

 

[SputnikBoy]

Does God the Father have to obey His own laws of conduct and laws governing the universe or can He act at will and override any or all laws at His discretion?

Sputnik: It might be best if you ask God that question. I don't think any of us on this forum are qualified to answer. Then again ....
:smt115

 

[Ruben]

I recall a story in the Old Testiment where it is proclaimed that God either stopped the world from spinning or caused it to spin in reverse or something like, forgive me for my vagueness. Thus it is established that He can void the laws of nature.

Most religions accept that their God will either kill or allow death to all those that don't meet the requirements for life eternal. Here too God is not obeying His own law of "Thou shall not kill".

You may be right about whom to ask but that doesn't quiet the questions.

 

[SputnikBoy]

I recall a story in the Old Testiment where it is proclaimed that God either stopped the world from spinning or caused it to spin in reverse or something like, forgive me for my vagueness. Thus it is established that He can void the laws of nature.

Most religions accept that their God will either kill or allow death to all those that don't meet the requirements for life eternal. Here too God is not obeying His own law of "Thou shall not kill".

You may be right about whom to ask but that doesn't quiet the questions.

Sputnik: You'll find that particular text in Isaiah 38:7-8. This is where God makes the shadow cast by the sun to go back ten steps. So, God either caused the sun to go back literally or He caused the illusion that it had. There's also a similar example in Joshua 5, 6 or 7, not sure exactly where just off the top of my head.

There are many examples in the scriptures where God comes across as being cruel. And, despite all of the reasons given for getting God 'off the hook', so to speak, I find it problematic. At least, it WOULD be problematic if I dwelt on it. Instead, I put it down to the fact that I can't out-guess God. Maybe one day all will be revealed. Until then, we'll have many questions that we have to accept as having no satisfactory answer. Keep asking though!

 

[Ruben]

Jesus said 'ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free'. He was speaking to the Jews that believed what He was saying, counting them as disciples. What 'truth' and free from what? The general concensus is freedom from sin, but in this context one might conclude Jesus was speaking of a freedom from the deceptions widely accepted as truth. The Jewish people of that era were expecting for the Messiah to come and do battle with their enemies and thus set them free from the bondage of the Roman occupation. We of today may have some advantages in knowing the history of that time but do we know the 'truth' that sets us free any more than they? I don't think so. Freedom, true freedom is having the latitude to commit 'sin' but a heart so in love with God that the greater pleasure is to love Him. Jesus also said that He could give us water that quenches thirst for eternity. Could this statement be an indication that the heart will be so satisfied, so completely filled with the truth that causes all peoples to love God that the desires which drove us to seek sinful satisfaction are filled too?

 

[Servant_2000]

Does God the Father have to obey His own laws of conduct and laws governing the universe or can He act at will and override any or all laws at His discretion?

I have heard it said in SDA circles that "the Ten Commandments are a transcript of God's character." This is so preposterous. That is like saying that the rules one sets down for his/her children are an exact representation of your character.

Do you think that God honors His father and mother?
Do you think that He is married (the only way He could refrain from committing adultery)?
Do you think He has to refrain from stealing when the entire universe belongs to Him anyway?
Do you think He must control His covetousness?

Ludicrous.

The Mosaic laws, including the Big Ten, were a part of the rules He gave to the Israelites "until all is fulfilled." (Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Jesus came to fulfill all of the law and the prophets, (Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil) which (if you believe in Jesus as the Christ, then you must acknowledge) He did.