Opus 2026-290: So There!

Recently I was subjected to cruel and unusual punishment.  I was in a situation where I was forced to sit and listen to someone read.  Have I ever told you I hate being read to?  I hate being read to.  My mind wants to gallup and readers tend to trot at best.  I endured.  I hope I had a good demeanor because my grandchildren were watching.

The torture came from the opening chapter of Tom Sawyer.  It was well written.  I was caught up in the attempt by Tom to pick a fight.  It was a long series of “I dare you” and “Well, of yeah” Time and time again the debate went on about who would whip the other.  Older brothers were referred to.  Eventually it resolved in a slugfest.  What emerged in my mind this morning was how similar this is to the disagreements we have about theology and what we believe.

We like to take verses, throw them down in the dust and say, “So there!”  We think our enthusiasm is impressive.  We know we are right because someone told us it was right.  We don’t remember whom.  It was probably many whom’s.  We are standing on solid ground.  The verse in front of me today is,

(Rom 9:15 KJV)  For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.

This is supposed to prove several of the points to the TULIP theory.  Total depravity, undeserved election and irresistible grace come to mind.  It provides a powerful bit of ammunition.  It occured to me that it might be more beneficial to look at its foundations before we build a house of theology on it.

The cross reference given is Exodus 33:19.  Keep in mind that the little letters directing you to other passages are editorial additions, not the original inspired text.  They are subject to the theological biases of the editor.  In this case it seems like a solid referral.

(Exo 33:19 KJV)  And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.

This takes place in a context you will recognize.  Moses and God had been having a discussion.  The concept of grace was thrown around a lot.  Moses is asking for God’s assurance and God promises to be with him.  There is no reference to God making capricious choices of who will be saved.  In the verse before this you have the familiar words of Moses,

(Exo 33:18 KJV)  And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.

Moses is asking for a special favor.  He wanted to see the face of God.  He was denied because to see God’s face would kill him.  But God, whom the TULIP people want to portray as never bending to human will says He will let Moses see His back as He passes by.  

Then Moses proceeds to cut tablets of stone to remake the Ten Commandments.  

This is a great passage, but it has nothing to do with how God interacts with us.  The context in Romans is Paul pointing out that being born a descendent of Jacob did not guarantee them a place at the table in eternity.  It is the opposite of how modern theologians like to apply it.

So there!

homo unius libri