progressive revalation

[Fear_nam_Beanntan]

Since I can't find the post where someone said that "The New Testament was when God realized He had done it all wrong in the Old," I will respond here.

There are several examples of progressive revalation in the Bible, that is, God waiting until humanity was ready for the complete truth before giving it to us.

The natural, human reaction to receiving an injustice, as illustrated by children, is to inflict more pain on the offender than that which the offender initially inflicted, the goal being to "teach him a lesson." Unfortunately, the offender then feels as if he has been wronged, and proceeds to teach the victim a lesson by inflicting still more pain. The circle of violence gets bigger and bigger.

The Israelis of Moses's time were primitive barbarians. They would have followed the pattern of children. "Turn the other cheek" would have been, to them, an absurdity. God could not hope to tell them to "turn the other cheek" and still have them follow Him. (Well, He could, but He would have had to take away their free will in order to do so.)

So, God started small. He told them to limit their response to a punishment equaling the crime (an eye for an eye). In addition, He made sure that the punishment would be meted out by legal authorities and not by the victims. Gradually God civilized the Israelis until they were ready for the full truth. Only then did He tell them to "turn the other cheek." It was not that God changed His mind. He knew what He was doing all along. He was simply being realistic and waiting for the proper time to reveal His will, that His work would not be in vain.

Divorce is another example. The disciples once asked Jesus why He had banned divorce, since the law of Moses permitted it. Jesus responded, "Back then you were hard of heart."

[thespitfiredragon]

Fear...

How do you feel about present-day revelation? As in the kind that the Mormon church believes in...

What about "personal revelation"? Meaning that God answers prayers personally or with the Holy Ghost.

Just curious.

Have a great day and God bless.

[thespitfiredragon]

Tom...

I'm so glad that I could provide you with a laugh. A person like you seems like they could use a little laughter in their life. You're in my prayers.

[Fear_nam_Beanntan]

SpitFireDragon, I do believe in personal revelation by the Holy Spirit. However, I believe this is for the purpose of interpreting and applying Scripture to your own life, not for adding anything over and above Scripture. I don't believe that there will be any more Revelation in the truest sense of the word until the second coming.

[thespitfiredragon]

Fear...

Thanks for your opinion...I always enjoy hearing what other people have to say.

Have you ever taken a look at "The Book of Mormon" (example of what I believe to be progressive revelation)?

[thespitfiredragon]

What do you think about the Mormon church?

[thespitfiredragon]

I've got you beat...I've read it...AND I'm currently a baptized member.